Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-05
THE WAR AS AN ISSUE
Republicans Believe Hostilities Will Be
Over Before General Election.
Pressure VIII He Brought to Bear on
N0n-C0ntestants in the
Philippines.

The republicans believe that the question
of whether the campaign in the Philip
pines has been well managed will be thor
oughy disposed of before another general
political campaign
1t was definitely settled at the confer
ence between the President and his ad-
viseors yesterday that there should be no
halfway business in the prosecution Of the
campaign. 1t Is stated on unquestionable
authority that there is nothing in the talk
of sending some other general to take the
place of Gen. Otis, in command OF the mill
itary forces. but that Gen. Otis remaining
in the position he now occupies. a policy
of vigor and action is going to be put into
force. In addition to the increase of the
force Of troops a virtual blockade of the
Philippine ports. with the corporation Of
the navy, is contemplated, and it is deter
mined that the strict principles of war will
be applied to the Philippine situation, with
out any Sentimentality.
Pressure on the Natives.
1t is believed that the natives who are
not in rebellion. great majority Of the In
habitants, will be very anxious to secure
peace when they discover that the rebellion
involves the hardships of war upon them.
and that they will not sympathize with
Aguinaho when they realize that he is re-
have TO endure. At present they are said
to be somewhat Indifferent and willing that
Aguinaldo should indulge himself in the
CORY of keeping up war. long as they
are protected. through the consideration Of
this government. from the oppressive con-
sequences of it. 1t Is not believed. how
ever, that they will feel SO about the mat
ter when they fully understand that their
own welfare depends upon support being
withdrawn from the rebels.
With the adoption Of vigorous policy.
and the expect alton that 1t will result In a
speedy conclusion Of the rebellion, the poll
tcianS who are in sympathy with the ad-
ministration believeMhat much of the cam
paign material the democrats are now put
ting in cold storage for the next campaign
will be unfit for use by that time.
1t is hoped that the Philippine war will
be terminated by the middle of next winter.
and the question of the subjugation of the
islands will not longer be open to discus
sion.
The Only Issue Regarding the Islands.
The only open question. they believe will
be what disposition is to be made of the
country, it having been already acquired.
as to this question there will be room for
difference of opinion inside the several
party organizations, and the party which
aims to take issue with the policy proposed
by the administration will have to advance
a plan of it's own which it will have to de-
fend. This will place the opposition party
in a very different position from that 1t
can assume. while there is nothing to do
but complain of what the administration
is doing. 1t may result in entire shift
ing of the lines Of contention. At all
events. that which is done and passed will
be eliminated from the campaign as an
issue, and politicians will be confronted
with situation which will compel treat
meat from the point of view of the ma
tional duty, and not mere party advantage.
1t is felt, therefore. that much that now
seems as if it would figure prominently in
the next campaign will be swept aside by
the time the campaign comes on.