The times., 1899-03-27
GENERAL 4lHAsniNdToN
NEWS AND GOSSIP.


number of Eastern Democrats who DO
not believe that it will be wise to go into
the Presidential campaign next year with
the Chicago platform of 1896 to prevent the
nomination of Mr.. Bryan for President by
the Democratic National Convention OF
l90O, is apparently making some progress.
1t has not become sufficiently formidable.
however. in the judgment of impartial cb-
servers to cause Mr.. Bryan or his friends
any great concern. The anti-Bryan pot
ters have not even agreed upon leader to
make the fight against Mr.. Bryan in the
national convention. Several names have
been canvassed, but apparently there has
been no agreement upon any particular
one.
When Mr.. German, Of Maryland, made
MS vigorous but unsuccessful fight against
| the ratification by the Senate of the Treaty
OF Peace with Spain, 1t was stated by his
friends that he expected that it would
| make him the logical nominee of the
Democratic party for President on an anti
expansion platform. Mr.. Croker and other
New York Democrats. however, who are
activeiy working against Bryan. are decid-
| edly in favor of expansion They believe
that it will be suicidal for any party to go
! into the national campaign next year with
hence Mr.. German is not available" from
their point of view. But German and
Croker have not parted company Each
has wholesome respect for the fighting
Qualities OF the other. 1t is said that Mr..
Croker would greatly prefer Mr. German
with his anti-expansion record. to Mr.. Bry
an. 1t is announced that Mr.. German will
be present at the Belmont Croker dinner
in New York on April 13 in honor of
| Iaff
saint. In view of the correspondence that
has passed between Mr.. Bryan and Mr.
Belmont concerning this dinner, Mr.. Cor
| mans presence there will naturally pace
him in open antagonism to the Bryan wing
OF the Democratic party. He will be prac-
tically burning his bridges behind him. so
far as holding any future relations with the
! regular Democrats. But Mr.. German is
probably aware of this fact. He is not
political spring chicken.
The Bryan dinner. at one dollar late,
which is scheduled TO follow Mr. Croker's
ten-doliar banquet. in New York, will
probably be the beginning of a fight in
New York TO take the control of party
organization In the State out of Mr..
Croker's hands. 1t is certain to be an
interesting event at any rate.
Il would advise the managers of the
Bryan dinner, in New York. to keep their
eyes open and closely scrutinize the people
to whom they sell tickets, said a New
York man yesterday. IF they do not
there may be some unpleasant develop
ments at the dinner. For instance, sup
pose Mr.. Croker. or Mr.. Belmont should
undertake to play little Tammany trick
on Bryan cby indirectly purchasing five
hundred or one thousand tickets to the
feast and give them to men who would at
given signal cheer for Croker and Bel
mont and hiss Bryan? 1t would be a COM
paratively easy thing to do. provided the
committee on invitations is not alert and
on guard against treachery. Mr.. Croker
and his Tammany friends would not be
above playing little game of the kind l
have suggested
The Presidents Return.-With Mr..
McKinley's return to Washington a num-
ber of important matters will come up
for attention at the White House. One,
1t is understood will be in deciding wheth-
er the Eagan case shall be reopened or
not. 1t is believed, in the light of the
evidence brought out by the Miles Court
of Enquiry. that the President can hardly
do less than order Eagan to face another
court martial. The fact that he has only
recently been tried by one court-martial
will not prevent his being tried by another
Immediately afterward upon different
charges.
This is a matter" said an army officer
yesterday, I'm which every officer in the
Army is particularly interested Eagan
himself ought to be anxious for a court
martial, II for no other reason than to
prove to the world that he did not profit
pecuniarily by the delivery of rotten en-
balmed beef to our soldiers. As the case
stands, practically every one of General
Miles charges has been fully substantial
ed. II is up to Alger. Eagan & Co, Those
worthless must clear their skirts or get out
OF sight. | believe that the President will
act in Eagan's case, at least. right away,
and l would not be surprised il we had
new Secretary of War by the time Mr.
Alger returns from his Cuban jaunt 1t
| Is said that he expects to be gone three
weeks. a great deal can happen In three
weeks and l am somewhat amazed that
Alger would consent to leave his post here
unguarded for that length of time Either
Alger is very sure of his hold upon the
President or knows that the jig Is up and
prefers to have his successor appointed
while he is out of the country. 1t was
rumored at the War Department on Sat
urday that Mr.. Alger had mailed his resig-
nation to the President before his de-
parture for Havana. but OF course that is
not seriously credited. / am advised. how
ever, that the question of Ayers reten-
tion In tne CABINET mas been seriously de-
bated at Thomasville during the past ten
days, and according TO all accounts the
consensus of opinion in the Presidents
immediate circle was that Mr. Alger ought
to relieve the Administration of embar-
rassment by rendering his resignation
This Intelligence will be conveyed TO Mr.
Alger in as delicate and diplomatic way
as possible, either on or before his return
from his present trip. 1t will be interest
ing to observe what effect, If any, it will
have on Mr.. Alger."
The Philippine Situntion--The Phil
ippine situation will. of course, receive the
immediate attention of the President. The
only effect the recent hard fighting in
the vicinity of Manila will have on the
President. it Is understood. will be to mako
him continue the suppression of the
rebels all the more vigorously Every
additional drop of American blood that is
shed in the Philippines in establishing the
authority of the United States renders our
retention of those islands the more GER
tain. If the fighting continues for any
length OF time the prediction is made that
there will hardly be any anti ti-expansionists
left in this country outside of Hoar, Hale.
Carl SchurZ. and one or two others AT
any rate. if there are any they will proba-
bly, be ashamed to show their heads in any
respectable community
Senator George Vest, who fought against
the ratification of the Peace Treaty as hard
as he knew how, principally on the ground
that We did not want the Philippines, ex-
pressed the opinion right after the Treaty
was ratified that the question of expansion
had been settled in the affirmative. II
have no apologies to offer for my course
in opposing the Treaty. he added. II be-
lieve that | was right and that time will
prove it, but that has got nothing 10 do