The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-06-09
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

President Mckinley instructed Gen.
Otis to tell the representatives OF Ag-
uinaldo, when they left his line, after
their recent stay of several days, in
Manila comforting with the American
Commissioners, that neither they nor
any other sent by the Filipinos would
be again admitted to our lines, unless
they came authorized to make an un-
conditional surrender. This means
business and, in order to put Gen. Otis
In a better condition to force compE-
ance with his terms, more regular
troops will be hurried to him as rapid
ly as possible. President Mckinley is
just as much avcrse to calling out
more volunteers as ever, but he recog-
nizes the fact that 1t may become nee
essary to do so in the near future, and
if the necessity arises, he will meet it.
Among the Presidents recent callers
was Hon. John Barrett, who was ap-
pointed Minister TO Siam, by Mr..
Cleveland, and who has just returned
from Manila, where he spent ten
months studying the situation. Mr..
Barrett said: "I was not originally
in favor OF the permanent retention of
| the islands, but the more studied the
question of our standing, politically
and commercially, in the Pacific, the
more convinced l became that our
control there was essential to our
prominence and prosperity in the
East. We stand today as one of the
great powers OF the Pacific. If we
should withdraw control over the
Philippines, we should abdicate posi-
tion that stands second to none and
come after Great Britain, Russia, Ger
many and~Japan.
The vast interests of our Pacific
coast forbids this. The East, and es-
pecially New England, should turn in
and operate in this move" Of the
present situation, Mr.. Barrett said:
"Next to the rainy season, the worst
thing our troops have to contend
against in the Philippines is the news
of the anti-imperialist agitation in
this country, which is being seduluous-
ly gathered, and finds its way to the
insurgents. They think this move
ment means great deal, and that if
they keep on long enough, the agita-
ton in America will come to their
rescue" Upon subject in which
practically everybody in the U. S. is
deeply interested, Mr.. Barrett said"
All this talk obout Admiral Dewey's
health is misleading. I saw great
deal of him, and spent day with him
| just before I came away. He is not
i'll in the sense that he needs anything
more than rest and quiet. It is gene
rally known that he never left Manila
Bay from the time he entered it until
his final departure few days ago.
In all that time, the other officers and
his aids made many trips to Hong
Kong and other points for rest and
recreation
The failure of the Cuban soldiers to
apply to apply for their share OF the
money sent to be distributed among
them has caused no uneasiness in
Washington. The general sentiment
in official circles is indifference as to
whether they take the money or not,
and no serious trouble is anticipated
from the disgruntled leaders who have
persuaded the poor devils, who need
the money so badly, to go away from
Havana without it, rather than SUR
render their arms.
The South Carolina Congressional
delegation has been asking for the P.
O. at Lake city, s. G, which was closed
after the brutal killing Of the .colored
Postmaster but General Smith has not
decided to accede to their request, but
has sent special agent there to look
over things and to report whether the
Ioffice should be re-established. Inas-
much as jury, made up from that
community refused to convict men
who were clearly proven to have part
icipated in the killing of the Post
master, it would not be surprising
should the Department decide to allow
the Post Office to remain closed for a
while longer, as reminder of the crime