Evening star., 1899-09-12
WAR ON M'KiNLEY
His Opponents Waiting for an 0ppor-
tunlty.
EFFECT OF DEFEAT IN Ohio
Failure in the Philippines Might
Endanger Nomination.
THE RETENTION OF OTIS

Two things that politicians are watching
| with most interest just now are the devel-
| opment of the Presidents plans for the
Philippine campaign this fall and the Ohio
election. While there is no question being
| raised at this time to President Mckin-
| leyS denomination, there is an element in
the republican party that is only waiting
Tor an opportunity to make a demonstra-
ton of opposition to him. At present there
Is 40 encouragement for an opposition
movement, but it is said that if an oppor-
tunity should develop it would be very
promptly availed of. If such an opportuni-
ty is to come, il is anticipated that it will
grow out of events in the Philippines with
in the next few months. out of tho
course Of politics in Ohio this fall.
The Presidents Personal Interest.
Independently of the national and gen.
e-al political consequence involved, it is
pointed out that the President has a very
great personal interest at stake in both
quarters. No politician doubts that if the
republicans are successful in the Ohio
campaign as usual, and the conduct of the
war in the Philippines this fall and early
winter * not a failure, Mr. Mckinley will
be renominated by his party without op-
position in convention. on the other hand.
it is felt that failure in either quarter
might cost him the nomination.
Significance OF the Ohio Election.
The Ohio election this fall is awaited with
particular interest for the reason that
whatever is to happen there VIII be more
speedily developed than can be definitely
understood situation in regard TO the Philip
pine war. There is nothing that the men
who would like to defeat Mckinley for
denomination can do now, hut his enemies
are sufficiently in touch with each other to
lie DreDafeI to begin 4 very vigorous tpDD-
sition if by any possibility the democrats
should be successful in Ohio this fall or IL
the republicans should win by such small
plurality as to be little better than defeat.
Such a result would be attributed to Han
naisr. and the plea for another candidate
would be that the republican party must
break away from the Ohio comb nation.
Some believe that this would be enough to
defeat Mckinley, though at present the
nomination seems to be in his hands
1t is recognized, however, that if the
Philippine war should be brought to a sue
cessful termination within the next three
or four months, even a party disaster in
Ohio could not defeat him. Among the
Presidents friends there is not very great
anxiety about the situation in Ohio. They
satisfactory. The Philippine question Is
what causes anxiety.
Opposition of Expansionists.
1t is not felt that the anti-expansion sem
timent, as things stand now. is serious
menace to the administration politically.
but a serious blunder in the conduct of tho
war might arouse the resentment of tha
extreme eXpansionists, who more than
anybody else are desirous that the war
should be well conducted and speedily
brought to successful issue.
In an issue between expansion and anti
expansion it is felt that the republican
party rest content to the result.
but thai a failure to carry out the policy
of expansion wisely and well would con-
denim Mckinley to defeat in convention.
" While at present the republicans Who en-
tertan hostile sentiments toward Mckinley
chiefly opposed to expansion, like Mr..
Reed a lack of force in carrying out tna
policy t. which the administration is cons
mitted would arouse opposition among tha
eXpanSionistS themselves
'Fhe Retention OF Otis.
The retention OF Otis in command of the
forces in the Philippines IS viewed by the
ant-eXpansionist as a hopeful prospect
for their cause, which depends for success
upon a failure to overcome the rebellion
within reasonable time. BY some expan-
sonists it is looked upon very serioui
risk for the administration to take. They
say that in such an emergency a ''goot
enough general will not do. but that tha
very best the army can produce should be
put in command