Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-31
AGREED As IO present
Members Of Philippine Commission
Unanimously Favor Vigorous
Measures in the Islands.
The Majority Of Them Also Believe
In Annexation Of the Archi-
pelsgo
Spanish Commissioners Return From
q Visit TO the Camp Of
Aguinaldo.

Washington, Oct. s1.-Walter Well
mans dispatch to the Times-Herald:
There is no truth in the story that the
Philippine commissioners are unable to
agree. 1t Is not true that two Of the
five commissioners are about to recon-
mend that the United States withdraw
from the islands and let Aguinaldo run
things. All three OF the commissioners
who recently returned from the orient
have plainly declared their belief that
the United States should hold on, at
least till it has restored peace and dis
charged its obvious duties. II two
members of the commission are in IA
vor of letting go they must be Admiral
Dewey and Gen. Otis, and of course
that is too absurd to think about. AS
for the admiral, he has plainly ex-
pressed himself in favor OF subjugating
the recalcitrants before making con-
cessions to them, and as to Gen. Otis
attitude there is no doubt whatever. 1t
is true that Admiral Dewey declines to
be interviewed on this as on other
questions. So do the other members of
the commission. But the admiral plain
ly told the president what he thought
of the Philippine question, and his adj
vice is now being followed in certain
features of a vigorous policy.
IF man starts up fighting you, the
first thing you have to do is to lick
him. After that you may negotiate
with him If you like, but you can't do
the two things at the same time
This is one of Admiral Dewey's re-
cent comments on the Philippine sit
uation.
Just what the commissioners are go
ing to do no one pretends to know. II
is doubtful if they yet know them
selves. The prevailing impression in
white house circles is that they will
this week prepare a preliminary report
descriptive of conditions and recon-
mending suppression of the rebellion,
and afterward return to Manila for
further investigation of the problem of
the future government of tine archipel-
ago.
President Mckinley will not recon-
mend to congress a positive declaration
as to the future intentions of this gov
| eminent in the Philippines. The time
| has not yet come for that. 1t would
take congress two or three years to
agree on a plan even If ii We're ready
| 10 tackle the question: which 1t isn't,
4 and can't be until peace is restored.
| What the president does want and is
4 likely quickly to get is such action by
i congress as will leave no reason for
i doubt that the first thing the United
i States intends to do is to put down that
slrebellion 1t is believed here whole
lsome result of next weeks elections
followed by such action on the part OF
congress would bring the rebellion to
an end before New Years. 1t VIII col
/ apse as soon as the insurrection in
4 this country is put down.
| Some weeks ago the president was
4 half convinced that Gen. Otis was
making a mess of ii at Manila. Mean
4 time he has made exhaustive inquiries
/ and is now satisfied that Otis is doing
as We'll as any man could do at thai
Il irving post. Having reached this con-
clusion the president does not lacl
courage to stand by the man who is a
Il The front doing his best. We otter
hear it said that Mr.. Mckinley is too
afnable and easy. but he has certainly
withstood tremendous onslaught il
favor of Otis removal.
The president. by the way. is to hav'
something very interesting to say a
5 Richmond this afternoon.
In these days the president of tn
limited States works like a newspape
man. This afternoon, for instnace
President Mckinley is to make an i'm
portant speech on national issues, |
Twas only last night that he found tim
to sit down and meet his assignment o
!, preparing his remarks.