Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-04

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ignores the fact that Japan and Eng
land, both occupying strategic posi-
lions on or near the Asiatic coast, and
both having naval forces superior to
those Of Russia, have not been able 70
arrest the aggression of Russia by SO
much as foot of territory
The plain truth about the Chinese
situation, SO far as it affects US, is THIS;
We have been developing valuable
trade with China without the aid either
of warships or diplomacy. we nave
access to all the open ports OF that
country, to Hong Kong, a British port
to Kyao- Chau, German port, and to
alien-Wan, Russian port. There are
no signs that there will be closed
door in China even should Russia be-
come the predominant power. II this
should occur we would have the option
of dealing
DIRECTLY WITH RUSSIA
through Diplomatic methods. Russia
| has always been friendly to us, ana
there is every reason to Deleve that
as the price of keeping ourselves GEAR
| OF British projects and alliances we
would be. able to command favorable
| treatment at the hands Of Russia IN the
matter Of our Oriental trade. There IS
no need of loud talk or Of the beating
| OF warlike tom-toms. All we nave to 90
| is to attend to our own business and
let England attend to hers. Our inde-
pendence is our most valued possession;
| IFS maintenance unimpaired Will serve
! us better in world-pohtics than any
, new-fangled foreign policy binding US
to the exercise OF force against now
friendly powers.
Though Washington is vitality inter-
ested in the coming elections the city
4, is not this year political news center,
and what information is obtained here
arrives from outside. Neither of the
parties has headquarters at the capital,
the campaigns being waged~ entirely
within STATE boundaries. The appre-
hension of the administration, however,
has been sufficiently attested by the
campaigning tour Of the President and
his cabinet as we'll as by the absence
from their duties Of many important
federal officeholders. McKinley's open
participation in the campaign OF course
makes Republican defeat
A PERSONAL MATTER
and very serious matter, for 1899 ap-
pears likely to forecast the result OF
1900, and a practically defeated candi-
date may not be able to command a
second nomination. Hobart. at all
events is out Of the race. Politicians
are already casting around for new
running mate for Mckinley, who will
almost certainly be some military hero,
like Funston or Grant.
The reports which now and then gain
currency that the president is about to
appoint civil governors in Cuba and
Porto Rico have nc substantial basis.
Until Congress acts the President has
no power to appoint such governors.
His authority in our new possessions
is military, nc. civil. Moreover, the
trend of administration sentiment, as
far as known, Is in favor Of continuing
the military governments until some
future time. Gen. Davis, of Porto Rice,
expresses the opinion that the island
over which he has Jurisdiction ought
not to be placed under territorial gov
eminent for several years to come, and
as for the Philippines civil government,
as things are now, it must await The
conclusion OF the war. In Cuba the
question is and will be until settled,
whether we shall annex the islands or
allow them to form their own govern
ment. No hint has been forthcoming
of the administration purpose as to
Cuba. Perhaps the President will be
glad enough to hand over the whole
colonial problem to Congress, and the
danger is that that body may do moth
ing, as in the case, Of Hawaii, leaving
the military governments in control for
ali indefinite period. Few persons have
nay conception whatever of
THE TREMENDOUS TASK
before Congress in framing govern
ments for cur new possessions, and
those who light expect the
President to solve the whole subject
and present it in such way that Con-
gress will have nothing to do but fol-
low his suggestions, are woefully mis-
taken. Probably it will take years to
supply the dependencies with decent
forms of government. 1t took thirty
years to give Alaska satisfactory code
Of laws.
Federal receipts fer the first four
months Of the present fiscal year are
over $7,000,000 in excess of expendi-
lures. At this rate the surplus would
DE $21, 600 0o0 But we are not yet out
of the woods. The new Philippine cam
paign is just beginning, and besides the
receipts are not likely to keep up to
their existing level for the entire year.
1t is, at all events, too early to begin
figuring on decrease in federal taxa
ton. The coming Congress, without a
Reed to keep it within bounds. will
take care that the deficit is kept up.