The times., 1899-07-25
TUESDAY. JULY 25. 1899.
Quick Action Demanded.

European and, more particularly, Eng
lish comment and criticism of the Ad-
ministration course in the Philippines can
not fail 10 impress President Mckinley
with the urgent need for change OF pol
icy and agency at Manila. British senti-
ment as all men know, has been and is
in sympathy with our determination to
pacify, civilize, and develop the archi-
pelago. Were ii otherwise perhaps we
could afford 10 ignore the significant
statements made by papers like the Eng
lish Manchester Guardian" on the
strength of letters received from leading
British merchants in the Philippine capi-
tai.
These men have no interest in falsify-
ing facts They have no reason to wish
anything but success to our cause and
arms Long residence and experience of
Spanish rule and native character raise
presumption that they are capable o.
judging of Immediately environing con-
ditions. When they declare that the evils.
abuses. and Grass incompetency COM
planned OF in the round robin of the cor
respondents. are much worse than repre-
sented in that document, nobody will be
much inclined to disbelieve them.
There is cumulative evidence, daily in
e-easing in volume and force. that it is
unsafe TO continue the reign of Otis a
minute longer than an order relieving
him from the command can be cabIed TO
his headquarters. For temporary purposes
General Lawton can be placed in control,
and the question Of a permanent Gov
ernor- General arranged later.
Who that should be. or. under existing
circumstances. can be. is a question. Much
has been said about the propriety OF send
ing General Miles to the Philippines. But,
since the War Department is to be under
a strictly civilian headship, and the com
ing Secretary is understood to favor the
restoration OF his legitimate Influence and
functions TO the Major General Command
ing the Army. it is generally regarded as
better that Miles should remain in Wash
ington to direct all our military opera
tons than that he should be assigned to
a field in which he would only control
a part Of them.
Major General Wesley Merritt is, then.
the only officer OF sufficiently high. rank
likely 10 receive the assignment. No
one doubts his ability. professional or ad-
ministrative. Brooke is not making such
a fattering record in Cuba that anyone
should think of delegating a more respon-
sible and exacting task to him, and Shat
ter is neither physically or otherwise fit
for duty of any kind in actual war With
Miles IS actual general in chief in Wash
ington. Merritt as Governor General in
Manila, and Wheeler, Lawton, and Mac
Arthur as field generals. the country
p would begin TO have confidence in the
suppression OF Aguinaldo's mutIny. and
the early advent OF peace, order. and good
government 10 the Island of Luzon
We have not stopped to consider what
Mr.. Mckinley ought to DO for Otis. who
still retains the confidence of the Adju-
tsnt Generals Office. But that is mat
ter the President can easily and com
fortably arrange. For example, he might
establish Spanish war home for Com
missioners; stock it with the AIger Re-
lief, Insular, Army Beef, and Philippine
n2reties and make Otis governor.