The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-23

sEArrLE, WEDNESDAY,. August -.
new EsrInArE or M'xIxLEY.

Henry Loomis Nelson. the editor Of
Harper's Weekly. has written Tor that
publication q most striking interview
with and estimste Of President NcKin-
ley, which will do much toward clearing
up the popular understanding Of the
chief executives position in regard TO
many important current events. nota-
bly, the Philippines and Cuba
Mr.. Nelson sizes the president up -
an optimist rather than an opportunist.
~ one who believes that everything IL
ell right as II II or a 1t II going TO be.
rather than as one who always holds
his ear to the ground" He takes him
TO be typical American, Influenced and
constituted by his Middle Western en-
vironment. where prosperity and thrift.
with a goodly intermingiing Of progress,
are In the atmosphere. Confidence In
the constructive power Of high tarifY.
faith In the intuitions OF enterprise o.
exempiitied In expansion. and q certain
spontaneous submission 10 the spirit Of
democracy enter into the control and
administration Of all the presidents
public conduct.
II il a trifie discomforting to Mr. Nc
Kinley's political enemies to hear IN At.
tache OF the Mugwumpian Harpsrs
Weekly declare that "Mr. Mckinley has
y policy" The Philippines. according
TO Mr.. Nelson's analysis Of the presl-
dents views. are to BE- retained under
any circumstances ana are to be re-
quired to submit 20 the American form
of government, because the president
believes II to be the best thing for them.
The United States II not to attempt 10
garrison the entire islands. but IL Ia
maintain troops along the principal
coast points chiefly for the purpose OF
Strengthening the development Of Amer.
lean trade In China, the president seeing
in the latter some most glorioua future
possibilities.
Cuba Is to be transformed into a self.
governing community. but not with too
great rapidity. The census which IL now
being taken II to form the basis OF q
proposed system Of universal suffrage
and actual autonomy II to begin In sew
efal OF the larger municipalities. such
a. Santiago and Matanxas. from then,
20 be extended as widely a. the people
manifest their readiness for ~ On
Porto Rico the presidents conclusions
and policy await the report OF
Gov. Gen. Davis. In whom. as In most
IL his suhalterns. Mr.. Mckinley has alb
sciute confidence
In domestic policies the president n
represented by MFR. Nelson "a having
some f'rnly fixed ideas which win un-
doubtedly play critical Part IN the
approaching elections. Chief among
these is his determination that the pres
ent internal tariff for war purposes can
not be diminished. because Of the in
o0s7&h~tt VI tkit EStSVNS tEOstl imports.
A gradual modification OF the pro-
tective tariff TO lower scale. "a tha
general public comes TO perceive tire
need OF u step by step or Item by item.
II locked upon with come favor.
The gold standard viii ha maintained.
but the president dees not desire an al
tefaticn os the national hank system,
his inclination being 20 lock upon this
''as an established institution" and
therefore zone which congress eanno,
be prevailed upon 10 change radically"
Mr.. Nelson's article. on the whole. Is
the most Important political eontrihn.
tion Of the day. voaehci for rs the
authors reputable position ana ny the
paipahle authenticity Of II. ohserva-
tons. Il will Re regarded seriously In all
quarters ard will - received as alto
eesher notable ana trustworthy.