The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-20
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY's VIEWS.
Opinions Attributed TO Him as to the
Philippines and Cuba.


From the New York Herald.
In the issue of Harpers Weekly for this
week appears an article written by cor
respondent at Lake Champlain which pur-
ports to reflect the views of President Nc
Kinley on some interesting questions now
before the government
1t has been the invariable rule of Presi-
dent Mckinley to refuse to be interviewed
on any topic, but he has from time to
time chatted with representatives of the
press and permitted them to state his
opinions in their own language This he
appears to have done in the present case
but the correspondent frankly admits that
he draws deductions not only from the
Presidents phrases but from what he
knows of the Presidents characteristics
These conclusions are put forth by the
correspondent as being what he believes
to be the Presidents views and notwith-
standing the effort taken to disassociate
them from official or semi-oficial utter
ances, the result is interesting.
President Mckinley is convinced that he
can put down the Philippine Instruction
in a short time. He lays great stress on
the prospect of near ending of the war
and is naturally looking to the future.
The President believes that we should keep
the Islands, subject to congressional ac-
not want us to leave the islands.
He thinks that we should be thereby
not only abandoning our responsibilities.
but that our action would be a confession
or weakness, which would make us an
objecG OF derision amone Europeans. and
would assure the Oriental peoples thai we
are a nation quite unworthy of their seri-
Gus consideration. And it is doubtless a
desire of the administration TO increase
our commerce in the East. The Philip-
pines, so far as mere commerce is con-
cerned, are not the great figure in the
Pacific at which the President and his
advisers are looking The trade of China
is an object for which American states
manship is to struggle. Such a dream
as this appeals very strongly to the typi-
cal Republican mind, Notwithstanding its
apparent antagonism to the logic of pro-
lection, and appeals to no one more than
to the President. Imaginations are fired
by the conception of the United States as
a strong factor in Asia.
By these considerations the correspond
ent is led to say that the President be-
lieves that we shah retain the Philippines
keeping troops along the seacoast of the
larger islands, ard not retaining any sin
gle body of troops there, regiment or bat
talon, longer than twelvemonth. The
President doubtless believes that reten-
| ton of the Philippines viii make for the
| best interests of the natives and for the
| welfare OF American commerce, and that
| what makes for these viii make for the
! political health of the nation. In this be
! lief he thinks he is seconded by the ma
| jority of the people; and, although he VIII
proba bly, say nothing in his next MESA &c
| concerning the future Of the islands, and
| will content himself with recommends
| tons looking TO the speedy crushing Of
| Aguinaldo. the correspondent has not the
| slightest doubt that he would willingly go
10 the people on this issue, provided 10
could be put to them in the manner IN
which il presents Itself to him.
Leaving the President puzzled as 10
whether he will be quite able to make the
public understand the Philippine question
OF the future the correspondent passes TO
Cuba.
The President recognizes the necessity Of
| beginning very soon TO give the Cubans
| the government Of their own island. There