The times., 1899-05-26
FRIDAY. MAY &c. 1899.
schurman and the Rainy season.

II was quite superauous for the Admins
tration TO attempt explanation OF the
trouble at Manila between the civilian
Commission and the military authorities
The facts speak for themselves. The rainy
season at length has set in and Aguinaldo's
emissaries. having gained all they wanted
which OF course was to protract negotia-
tions beyond the time when western troops
could take or keep the field, have departed
for the insurgent camp announcing that
the sehurman propositions are impossible
of acceptance by the natives.
That they would do this as soon as their
object Of delay had been accomplished Otis
has known all along. and repeatedly warn
ed the War Department of what would
be the certain outcome of the Schurman-
Denby fooIishness. But he has learned by
this time that one DENLY, possessing at
once the confidence of the war and con-
tracing authorities, is more potent than
many major generals. though they be at
the head of armies with banners.
The situation in which the meddling OF
the civilian Commission leaves our COM
mander and forces in the Philippines is
that, already. Macarthur has been obliged
to withdraw his command TO the line of
the Dagupan Railway while ovenshine will
be compelled to fall back on -Manila or
Cavite, thus leaving the whole interior
of the Island Of Luzon in the hands of
Aguinaldo until the next dry season. Be-
yond the fortified coast towns and the rail-
way line the roads will be impossible and
the country impracticable for military op-
erations for months 10 come.
Aguinaldo has scored, and scored heavily
IN this, at our expence and all 1t has cost
him has been the loan to the Schurman-
DENLY Commission of a few easily spared
Tagals, who only needed to sit around
and keep awake while the civilian med
dIers and muddIers talked by the hour on
the beauties Of the social system of the
kind likely TO be offered by men who rep
resent the Republican ideas of good pol
tiles" and the sound business methods
OF Hanna and Algerism.
II is a pity, because # Otis could have
been left alone. the chances are that the
crfshed out by this time. AS it is, his
troops may be decimated by disease be-
fore he can find possible opportunity to
end the matter This, of course, is only
the military and national view of the mat
ter. There may be another which would
place the situation in a more pleasant
light. For example, it might be hard to
believe that prolongation of hostilities in
the Philippines, necessitating the main
tenance of an army there, and, incidental
ly. the purchase Of many supplies by the
Government, would cause any weeping
among the people whom Mr.. DENLY ap-
peared so devoted TO when serving on the
Alger Relief Commission. II there are
dollars in the Job" why, perhaps no on,
should object, except. possibly, the brave
officers and soldiers whose lives are fl
peril. But that is commercial concept
one OF the kind popular in certain quarters
during the Santiago campaign. Tn,
American people. excepting those who ma.
see some personal advantage in a post.
ponement OF the final settlement with the
Malsys. will deeply regret the interference,
which has defeated the plans and pro-
gramme OF General Otis. and will once
more humbly wonder how such things
can be-