Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-20
SIGNS MORE HOPEFUL
Administration Feeling Regarding
the Philippine Situation.
PEACE INFLUENCES ON LUZON
Outlook for Legislation Respect
ing the Islands.
VISIT OF SENATOR DAVIS

1t is felt in administration circles that the
signs are much more hopeful for the salts
factory solution of the Philippine problem
than they have appeared before. This feel
ing is not based on the request of Aguinaldo
for conference between of his gem
erals and General Otis. The War Depart
ment does not yet know what interpreta-
ton to put upon this move on the part of
Aguinaldo. but on general principles little
faith is put In the sincerity of purpose In
any move by the rebel chief His asking
for a conference does give rise, however, to
the belief the perhaps he finds himself
poorly provide! to defend himself against
the vigorous campaign contemplated by the
American forces at the close of the rainy
season.
Peace Party May BE Active.
The more hopeful sign is in the indca-
ton that peaceful influences may prevail
among that class of people on the islands
not actively engaged in the war and
whose ma terial interests would be i'm
proved by the establishment of good gov
eminent. 1t is intimated that the church
influences in the Philippines which have
not been exercised heretofore in the inter-
est Of American authority may now be
directed towards the establishment of
peace and orderly government the
islands. The protest sent to the President
some days ago. based on reports that some
of our soldiers had desecrated churches, re-
ceived very prompt attention by the Presi-
dent, Gen. Otis being cabled to make an
investigation at once and to take vigorous
action If 1t We're found that there was
foundation for the complaint.
Readiness to Right Wrongs.
The complaints were too vague and based
too much upon mere report to warrant the
assumption that they We're well founded,
but 1t is the purpose of the President not
to run the risk of permitting a wrong to be
done by being too exact as to the char
acter of the complaint made. If a charge
is made with sufficient definiteness to sup
ply the basis of an investigation it is the
purpose of the President to give 1t his at
tention- The readiness to meet these mat
tiers fairly and to see that any wrong that
may exist is corrected will, 1t is believed,
make a good impression upon all who have
an interest in the restoration of a civilized
condition of affairs in the Philippines.
A Significant Call.
1t is understood that the call of Cardi-
nal Gibbons the President today was
one Of most friendly import and the opn-
lon is expressed that a thorough under
standing on the part of high Catholic au-
thority of the benevolent sentiment of this
government toward the natives of the Phil
ippines will have a good influence upon the
more enlightened natives. who are largely
under the guidance of the Catholic Church.
The impression is said to prevail among
the natives that the establishment of the
authority of this government would jeop-
ardze their religious freedom and endan-
ger church property. The knowledge that
this is not the case and the conviction that
progress, civilization and the broadcast per-
sonal liberty will come with the restoration
of peace is regarded as likely to convert
the better influences of the islands to the
side OF this government.
ISL
Contrary to earlier expectations, the hope
be such by the time Congress meets that
some legislation with respect to the Philip
pines TO more definitely fix our status may
be possible. The protest of the Chinese
minister against the exclusion of Chinese
from the Philippines by order of Gen. Otis
suggests the Importance of this being done.
There could be no question of the applica-
ton Of the Chinese exclusion law to the
philippines were those islands definitely fix
ed part of the territory of this govern
ment, but the provision i'll the treaty with
Spain that the political status and civil
rights of the natives OF the Philippines shall
be determined by Congress is construed to
leave the matter of sovereignty stu. open
10 complete settlement. The exclusion of
the Chinese by Gen. otis was based on mill
tary authority, rather than the Chinese
exclusion law, which applies to the terri
tory OF this government
Object OF senator Davis Visit.
Senator Davis of Minnesota, who was
one OF the peace commissioners and is
chairman of the Senate foreign affairs COM
Inttee. was at the White House the State
Department and the War Department to-
day, consulting with respect to the Philip
pine situation. He had long talk with
Acting Secretary Adee but declined to
publicly discuss the subject of his confer
enCe. 1t is known, however that he is
making thorough inquiry as to the recent
developments in the Philippine situation,
and ii is believed that the purpose of his
visit to Washington is to consult on the
subject of action by Congress