New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-28
THE QUESTION ABOUT MANILA.

The President has fresh reason every day for
considering whether reports from Manila that
are officially passed will command public conn-
dence He knows exactly what public conf1-
dence means in this matter Having abundant
sources of corroboratlve information, he may be
entirely convinced that General Otis has not
misrepresented facts in his official reports, nor
compelled such suppression Of facts by CORE
spondents as constitutes essential misrepre-
sentaton. But II large number OF fair
minded voters who are not strong partisans,
who see the official reports without the private
confirmation received by the President and who
see the charges of Misrepresentation In essen
tial matters apparently sustained by diver
gence which press dispatches are not permitted
10 explain between the practical results attained
and the promises Of official reports, have come
10 think they are being deceived, that is
state Of things which the President will not dis
regard He knows full we'll that If men come TO
distrust official reports in one respect their
minds are ripe for dstrusting the same reports
I'm every other, and for ready credence OF
charges that the situation is Systematically mis-
represented
The President is we'll aware that no such state
of public feeling could with safety be permitted
The country is ready to sustain him resolutely
and heartily. provided he shows confidence In
the people But suppression of essential truths
by general in control Of all dispatches from
far distant field Of operations is liable to be
construed as obedience to the wishes OF the
President himself. He has before him the nu-
merous complaints and charges by Americans
and also by Englishmen at Manila. If the pub
lie Is actually deceived and vet the General re-
mains the inference Is unavoidable. In this
way public confidence in official accounts from
the Philippines may at any time come to affect
public confidence in the President himself, on
the part of those non partisans who mean TO be
unswervingly loyal TO a President who trusts
their good faith and loyalty.
With abundant other information at COM
nand. the President presumably holds that off,
cial dispatches have not deceived In essential
particulars; and we gladly accept that view.
AT the same time the President must have
begun to ask whether General Otis Is Just the
right man 10 command such Generals as Law
ton and others who have been on active duty
Undeniably there Is a growing impression that
a change Of command in the Philippines would
be wise II the President is quite clear to the
contrary he will safely rely upon justification In
the end by the good sense OF the American
people H. however. his own mind is not wholly
clear on the subject, he can with perfect justice
take into consideration how far and how soon
public confidence can be secured. II is not time
10 consider the fortunes or the feelings Of indi-
viduals The feelings OF the people on behalf OF
whom this contest is waged and from whom SOL
diers and resources are drawn are Of more i'm
portance aud rlghtfully, than the interests or
wishes Of any man, as the President will un-
doubtedly conclude Nor win he be IN the least
embarrassed to find generals OF high character
and success In active service II change Is
deemed wise.
So much II seems Just and desirable 10 say.
But We earnestly deprecate sweeping censure OF
General Otis, or Of any other officer in com.
mand Of our troops and facing the enemy. The
public cannot know all the facts. and is bound
10 believe that the President is taking pains to
get them. and is conscientiously acting on his
best Judgment Furthermore, armies cannot be
commanded by newspapers or successful cam
paigns organized in town meeting. The Presi'
Acnt knows the facts and has the responsibility
What win be required of him Is success. Mean
time It is the duty Of patriotic citizens to leave
,Aipa unhampered. and do nothing to break down