Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-12
Belief That Something is Behind the
Philippine Disturbances.
THE PRESIDENT NOT COMMITTED
No One Has Been Authorized to
Speak for Him.
VISITORS AT WHITE HOUSE

1 - OultSu otdleS SeidtOi,
| close friend of the President and
recently a visitor to the White House, said
| to a representative of The Star today that
he is convinced that Europe is meddling
| with our affairs in the Philippines and urg-
| ing the Filipinoss on their present course.
| He is known as a man of the greatest con-
| servatism, one who does not jump at con-
! clusions or. suspicious and who never speaks
| except after consideration.
| The senator expresses the belief that
| Europe supposes this country is in great
doubt as to what course it will pursue as
| to the future of the Philippines. So many
! stories have gone abroad of opposition to
| annexation that the diplomats of Europe
| have formed an idea that the United States
| will soon relinquish what has come to
them or win give to the Filipinos an in
| dependence which they are not capable OF
! maintaining.
Several European countries DESTROYS of
| conquest he said, may have concluded
| that If a little blood can be let in the Phil
ippines we will throw up our responsibility
| and relinquish the people of the islands TO
their fate by giving them immediate indie
| pendence. Common sense teaches that
| without backing Europe would pounce
| upon the Filipinos under any pretext and
| take away from them what would be given
| them. Their independence, if we should
| throw off all protection. would not last
| SIX months. Europe would declare that the
| islands were too disorderly for civilized
| people to live in, and would at once inter-
| fere, establishing themselves in control and
| dividing up the islands,
| No Omcial Utterance.
| 1t is pointed out today that the impress
| sion which has gone abroad that Senator
| Foraker spoke for the administration yes
! terday will not improve the situation, so
far as meddling is concerned. If Europe is
| convinced that it is the ultimate purpose
OF this country to give independence to the
| t1Hplnos the meddling will increase. AS a
| matter Of fact it is known that Senator
| Foraker in no way represented the Presi-
| dent in his speech. The President has
| sought no mouthpiece and for a long time
| to come Will not make public his views. If
| his views agree with those of Senator For
| aker the latter does not know this and ne-
! Their does any other man.
| Members Iof lhe cabinet who are supposed
to know something of the Presidents in
| tenticns say that the President has arrived
| at no concJusion about what should be the
| ultimate and final attitude of this country
| to the Philippines. The President does not
| justly believe that he could now determine
! whether there should be an Independent
government, strong protectorate or the
| absolute abandonment of any connection
| with the islands. He believes that only
| the future can decide. His own determ-
nation will mot be reached for long time
and then it viii. be communicated to Con-
gress, which will settle the question Sem
| ator Foraker believes that the Filipinos
| should be given, independence. The Presi-
| dent does not say whether this should or
should NOT be- done, because he wants
more information before he makes up his
| mind. t.f..ia..
| Not Committed.
In a speech last night in Philadelphia.
Edward H. MeGili, former president of
Swarthmore College, declared that the
United States should establish a protect
crate over the islands, gradually Withdraw
the protection and allow the people to gov
| ern themselves. DR.. McGill is one of the
| most prominent members of the Society of
| Friends in the country. In his speech he
proclaimed that he had conferred with
President Mckinley upon the subject. Then
follows a newspaper statement that the
speech was first read and approved by
President Mckinley, thereby strongly con
veying the idea that the President has
adopted the view of a protectorate and
final independence for the islands.
DR.: McGill was tutor of MIR. Richards
solicitor general of the Department OF
Justice. Mr.. Richards is a close friend OF
the President, A short time ago Dr. Nc
Gill wrote Mr. Richards that he would like
TO talk with the President upon a public
matter. When DR.. McGiIl came here Mr.
| Richards went with him TO visit the Presi.
dent, and DR.. McGill brought up the ques-
ton of the Philippines. The President
TAXED with MIN about the situation, es-
| pecially touching upon the complications
| The President then read the order to Gen
eral OTIS, which has since been made pub
nc. DR.; McGiil gave his own views, to
which the President listened with interest
occasionally agreeing with the yenera HE
| instructor and educator.
After leaving here Dr. McGill wrote the
speech he delivered in Philadelphia. He
sent it to Mr.. Richards with a request n
| know whether it in any way violated the
| Presidents confidence. Mr.. Richards was
| unable to read the speech to the President
put simply informed the President that ii
was well written and able, writing to that
| effect in reply.
1t is stated on positive authority that the
| PRESIDENT at no time committed himself to
| the view of protectorate or to any other
| plan. Nothing in his conversation at the
time would imply such position.
Invited to BOSTON.
Mr.. w B. Plunkett of North Adams
Mass, one of the Presidents warmest per-
| sonal friends, called at the White House
| today to urge the President to visit Boston
| and make speech before the Home Market
| Club, of which Mr.. Plunkett is president
The President told Mr.. Plunkett that he
| would make the visit. The date was not
| agreed upon, but will be between the mid
| die and last of February, after the social
| season is over.
Confederate Graves
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Underwood of
| Kentucky had talk with the President to-
day about national care for the graves of
confederate soldiers. The talk was pleas
ant one, in which the President spoke of
the steps which have so far been taken. 1t
is learned that the President has requested
Representative Cannon to insert an appro-
| priation in the proper appropriation bill for
| the purposetrof preparing all the facts re-
lating to confederate cemeteries. their loca-
ton and condition, and the number of dead
Senator Allison has also been requested to
insert such an; appropriation. This appro-
priation wiliIsecuSe all the facts, which will
be presented toeEongress with message
from the President urging the necessary
permanent steps.
Mr.. CarRegie's Visit.
| A visitor at the White House today of
greatest interest TO Washington people was
Andrew Carnegie, who is making such a
fight against territorial expansion. It was
after seeing the President that Mr.. Car
negie and Mrs b. II. Warner met each other
and Mr.. Warner obtained from the mil