The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-10-13

some of the salt water 1t has swallowed,
thanAanother breaker comes along and
tumbles it back into the surf and sand.
It has had administered by Admiral
Dewey in his recent expression OF
views al conference with the author
tiles at Washington! For obvious rea-
sons Of propriety, the exact language
of the great naval hero has not been
published officially, but the substance
of his counsel has been given to the
press, and ths directions issued Ivy the
war and navy departments arc known
to coincide with it. Dewey is an ex-
pansionist, as everybody knows that
he is and must be.
First, Dewey believes that the re-
bellion in the Philippines should be
put down at the earliest possible mo-
ment; and to this end, knowing the
people who have to be dealt with, and
knowing also that their chief reliance
is on the hope that the administra-
tin will be embarrassed by the work Of
their sympathizers in this country,
Dewey advises strong reforcemeut OF
our strength in Philippines waters.
This is necessary as a demonstration
of overwhelming power, and also to
enforce more complete local block
ade. The immense coast line of the
islands can not be policed by the small
fleet of vessels now there; and it is de-
sirabie to cut off the traffic by which
the natives are obtaining arms and
munitions of war in exchange for their
products, whose prices has been en-
HANGED greatly by the disturbance of
commerce.
AS to internal affairs, Dewey advises
the exercise of strong general SOW
ereignty by the United States, united
with the largest measure OF local self
government compatible with the stu
alton. He believes that the Fill
pinos can manage their domestic con-
Germs as we'll as the Cubans or better,
under the direction and authority of
the sovereign power of the United
States. And he points out that ar
rangements must be entered into with
with all the sixty tribes of Luzon and
other islands, as well as with the
Tagals who follow Aguioaldo. 1t is
needless to note that he repudiates
scornfully the idea that he ever pro-
missed independence to Aguinaldo. No
one but an "auntie" ever believed that
nonsensical story, any more than it
could be credited that the admiral had
offered to Montejo the command of
the Olympia if he would make no fuss
over that entrance into Manila bay.
Acting on these views, the admins
tration has already ordered additional
ships to Manila, and several of them
are now on the way. Directions to
Otis to make vigorous campaign
had been communicated previously.
And the Philippines commission long
ago had its arrangements matured for
extending local autonomy to the people
OF the islands as fast as they should re-
linquish their attitude of hostility to
the United States. The plan of the
authorities at Washington is complete,
harmonious and statesmanlike. And
not only has it the countenance and
approval of Dewey, but it is modelled
on lines at least partially laid down
and wholly approved by him in person.
Publicly and privately he has express
ed himself in terms that admit of no
misrepresentation or mistake.
This is cheerful news to the patriot
ic American, who loves to see the influ-
ence of his country extended and her
counsels governed by ideas that unite
glory and honor. But what a stun
ming, sickening. deadly blow to the
gentlemen who had planned to nomln.
ate Dewey for president on a Demo-
cratic platform, whose frat plank
should be an anti-expansion declara-
ton and swinging condemnation of
the administration and all its works
The scheme will not work. Back in
to the open arms and mouth of w. J.
Bryan falls the disappointed and dis
organized Democracy. 1t wanted
Dewey for its own selfish purposes
and would have sacrificed his great
reputation and the honor of the ma
ton for an available candidate next
years. But Dewey is an expansionist,
as he has been ever since the thunder
his guns awoke the echoes OF Manila
bay. The first expansion proclama-
ton issued by any American of this
age was In those words, now become
historic. "You may fire when you are
ready, Gridley." We have heard the
last OF Dewey as Democratic candi-
date. Tie notion was distinctly
comic from the beginning. Now, in
view of the Democratic nl;obt m