Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-18
WAS NOT DISCUSSED
Correspondents "Round Robin" Not
Taken Up by the Cabinet.
PRESIDENTS SOURCES OF INFORMATION
No Probability That Newspaper
Men Will Be Expelled.
A LESS RIGID CENSORSHIP

Only four cabinet officials sat down at the
cabinet table today. These were Secretaries
Hay, Hitchcock, Long and Postmaster Cen
eraI Smith The others are away from the
city. A score or more of newspaper cor
respondents waited at the White House to
ascertain if the Philippine situation, in the
light of the story of the newspaper cor
respondents yesterday, had been discussed.
No light was thrown on the situation, how
ever. One cabinet official said that the
round robin of the newspaper men in Ma
Mia had not been talked about, for the rea-
sen that there was no way that 1t could
come before the cabinet.
Another said that he could not talk about
the subject. Postmaster General Smith re-
manned with the President fully half an
hour after the three other members left,
and the generally accepted view was that
he had remained to talk about the latest
developments. AS newspaper editor him
self, and as one of the Presidents most con-
servative advisers it was natural that this
should be the subject under consideration.
Dispatches From Col. DENLY.
Secretary Hay put before the cabinet dis
patches he has received from Col. DENLY
of the Philippine commission. 1t was given
out that one or more of these dispatches
would be made public. 1t was officially
stated that none of these dispatches tndi-
cate that Aguinaldo is offering to negotiate
for surrender, but it is said that they now
show a satisfactory Improvement in the
situation in the Philippines. They show, 1t
is stated, that the people are becoming ac-
customed to American ways, and that SOL
dierS are deserting the inSurgent armies
almost daily. This leads to the impression
that sooner later there will be a caving
in OF the insUrgent cause and that peace
will be established.
Secretary Hay has also received dis
patches from Ambassador Choate in Lon
don reporting renewed efforts for agree
ment on the Canadian boundary dispute.
These dispatches, 1t is positively stated,
did not show any material progress. There
is probably a little more hope than for the
past few months that negotiations may
some time lead to progress and t. an agree
nent, but the STATE Department is not
sanguine on the subject.
In army circles in the War Department
today it is declared that no action will be
taken to deprive Gen. Otis of any of his
authority or command in the Philippines.
Presidents Sources of Information.
It is further asserted that President Nc
Kinley has at no time depended upon Cen
eral Otis alone for information as to the
situation in the hilippines. He has many
sources of information and is almost con-
stantly in receipt of news from the islands
In view of the protest of newspaper men,
and because of the Presidents known habit
Of investigating a matter fully, 1t is be-
lieved that he will set on foot investi-
CATION into the charges which have been
made. This investigation may not be a
military or public one, but 1t Is said that
the puolic can rest assured that the Presi-
dent will get to the bottom of the facts
He may then take action
VIII Not BE Expelled
There is not thought TO be the slightest
ents who signed the protest sent out yes
terday will be ordered to leave the island
The President recognizes their right to
cable the news and 10 give their opinions
The President also knows that the expulsion
OF eleven men of sta lding in the profession
would give q worse aspect TO the situation
If anything at all is done. the probability
favors message from the President order
ing more freedom for press correspondents
and less censorship.
The President does not want any facts
suppressed. it is declared. He is not COM
mitted to any policy in the islands which
needs boosting by Cen Otis or anybody
else and is himself seeking every line Of
information possible He gains this through
newspapers as well as private sources. IT
is held in administration circles that If
Gen Ouis is guilty OF a too rigid censor
ship it is not at tie irstigation of the Pres
ident, and the latter cannot be held to
blame, politically or otherwise.
Carry ing Out Views OF Congress.
1t is particularly pointed out that no
consolation can be found by the Presidents
opponents in the present instance. for the
reason that he is committed to no policy
as to the Philippines and is simply exc
cutting pla-s approved by Congress itself,
these plans being to suppress an insurreo-
ton before this country decides upon any
permanent course as to the archipelago.
In the endeavOr to carry out these plans
e E1r.- f.pNf S,,tSr nH
shades of politics to act as officers in an
army which is to uphold American author
ity until there is time for the country to
decide what it will do Democratic sena-
tors and representatives from every state
have conferred with the President as to
army positions. and have been given their
quota. This, 1t Is held does not suggest
disapproVal by any united party of the
present plans of the administration.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR PEACE