The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-05-04
Washington Letter.

Washington May 1, 1899.
The practical ending of the Philippine
revolt has given much satisfaction In
Washington. In official circles there
isn't the slightest doubt about the end of
the fighting being at hand. 1t is expect
ed, of course, that Aguinaldo's Spanish
training will make him endeavorI to put
off the inevitable as long as possible, by
submitting new propositions to Gen. Otis,
but Gen. Otis will stand by his refusal to
recognize any Philippine government, and
will continue to whip the Filipinos as
fast as the men can catch up with them,
until his terms of general amnesty for un-
conditional surrender are accepted. He
sort. Aguinaldo must choose between
more running, more licking or uncondi-
tional surrender, and all the information
received from the Philippines indicates
that he will choose the latter very shortly
Nothing but admiration for the volun-
teers in the Philippines is heard in Wash
ington. Adjutant General Corbin freely
| expresses the opinion that every one of
them should receive a medal of honor
from this government, because, by the
terms of their enlistments, they were en-
titled to withdraw from the service as
soon as peace between Spain and the U.
S. was declared, but instead of taking ad-
| vantage of that they remained voluntarily,
performing more than was required of
| them, and more than the ordinary duty of
| soldiers, giving the world an object lesson
of the fighting quality and patriotism of
the American volunteers, which is de-
serving of special recognition. These
medals cannot be given without the action
of congress, but it is probable that such
action will be recommended to congress
by the president, and will be promptly
acted upon. Everybody is proud of those
volunteers and their gallantry.
Representative Joy of Missouri is in a
joyous frame of mind over the good news
from the Philippines. Speaking on the
subject, he said: 81 am very glad that
there is a prospect of peace In the Philip
pines. Our people in the west are gen.
orally in favor of expansion, but one
could hear, at the same time, considerable
discussion as to the advisability of con-
tinuing struggle which was sacrificing
American lives. There was also some
criticism of the wholesale slaughter of
the Filipinos, and very general hope
was being expressed that the fighting
might soon come to an end. Now that
Aguinaldo is to surrender, the ground
for criticism is removed, and there will
be very general rejoicing"
John P. Dorch of Kansas said of the
new departure of Mrs. Mary Ellen Lease,
who is widely known outside of her own
state as a politician and lecturer: "It
appears that Mrs. Lease, after making a
national reputation on tse political ros.
trum, became weary of the effort to re.
form existing conditions, and gave up the
job as beyond mortal strength. She be.
came thoroughly disgusted with all parties
and all platforms, and finally concluded
that the game of politics was largely one
of greed and ambition. She studied spir
that it would do more to regenerate man
kind than all the partisan politicians who
have ever lived. Her future mission will
be to talk others into believing the same
way" Mr.. Dorch didn't say so, but it is
taken for granted that Mrs. Lease will
exact the usual pricesper talk.
AS long as the president of the U. S
and the emperor of Germany continue tt
exchange such cordial personal cable
grams as have followed the granting per
mission by President Mckinley for tn,
landing of the new German cable In New
York, the yellow journals are wasting
space in trying to make it appear tha
there is even the slightest probability o
break between the two countries. Pub
lications in both countries show that eacf
has share of indiscreet hot-heads, bu
they are powerless to make serious trouble
as long as the president and emperor ar'
on such cordial personal terms.
If any more anti-American literatur,
goes from the U. S. to the Philippines, /
will have to be smuggled into the island
as the post office department has ISSUED
an order forbidding the carrying of pam
phlets issued by the anti-imperialisti
league of Boston in the U. S. mails to tn
Philippines. There was some talk in of
fetal circles of prosecuting officers o
that organization for circulating seditiou
documents, but it was concluded tn
wiser plan not to give them an opportun
ity of posing as martyrs.
Acting Secretary of War Meiklejoh
has had the report of the military court @
inquiry in his possession for several days
but ne will not make it public until di
rected by the president, who has cop
of it, to do So, It is understood that tn
! report says the refrigerated beef issue
to the army was not chemically treated
and, without positively condemning tn
canned "roast" beef, Gays that it is a
unfit ration for use In Tropical climate
and that too mnch of it was issued any
} way also, that it censures numbe
] of commissary officers, and recommend
, that some of them be courtmartialeC
!. Evidently, Eagan isn't one of them, as h
has started for Hawaii, where he will n