Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-15

AT Lincoln on Wednesday Mr.. Bryan was
asked If il was true. as reported, that he
had changed his views the subject of
the Philippines. He replied:
Il have not changed my views in the
least | have always insisted that the ma
ton should at once announce its intention
to treat the FilipinoS the same as II mas
promised To treat the Cubans. establish
stable government and then give them IN
dependence entirely free from outside m
reference. l have never advocated the
withdrawal of troops before a stable gov
eminent has been established but have
said over and over again that in my JudS-
ment very few troops would be necessary
for the establishment OF "A stable govern
meHt if the Fiiipinos We're assured that
they We're to govern themselves.
1t is surprising that Mr.. Bryan should
still insist on bracketng the Philippines
ard Cuba. SO far as the responsibility of
the administration is concerned, the cases
are utterly unlike. Congress gave the as
surauce of independent government to the
Cubans. but II did not give any such as
surauce to the F'ilipinos And, since Con
gross adjourned. no authority has existed
anywhere for guaranteeing independent
government to the Fipinos. Does even
Congress possess that powerc The Presi-
dent has been limited to an effort to re-
store order in the islands, and to command
respect for the stars and stripes.
As to what Congress when it assemblies
should do on the subject is question. Mr..
BIyans proposition, that We establish
stable government in the archipelago and
then sail away, is very indefinite. How
should we be able to tell the time for leav
ing? AS there has never been an independ-
ent government in the Philippines, who
would be the judge of the stability of any
such venture? We could not afford to
abandon the field without the best of guar
autees. and who would give them? II we
were To leave too soon, and chaos should
come, we could not hope to return and
try our hand a second time. Besides, we
have taken on sovereignty there. and. for
il. paid To Spain twenty millions of dollars.
We have not assumed sovereignty in Cuba,
ami are there only in the capacity of
trustee.
Mir. Bryan Will enter the fall campaigns
in a few days sounding this surprising ut
terance. But even more surprising than
this utterance is the tone of a letter writ
ten II, II Columbus Ohio. to the New York
Tribune. on the subject of the campaign in
that state in which the Philippine cues
ton is given as a source Of weakness to
the republicans. Mr. Mclean is handled
with much appreciation. His earnestness.
his experience in affairs and his capacity
for organization are mentioned in terms
of very high praise, ana the probable effect
OF success on his fortunes as a national
leader next year IS pointed out. The letter
closes with this remarkable statement:
Unless the war in the Philippines is
brought to d speedy and successful con-
clusion Nr. Mclean may win in Ohio"
The election in Ohio takes place in No
vember. There is no hope of making any
great Roadway i'll the Philippines before
the dry season begins. and that is not I'M
til December How will it be possible, then,
To bring the Philippine war to a close in
the time specified? Besides, Ohio is one
Of the states Aguinaldo is anXiOusly wait
ing To hear from. He will be certain to
keep his guns trained on the American
troops until our fall election returns are
In