The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-11-10

fidence. Until the important question wai
answered. Early in the week, Dewey calico
tho Philippine Commission to order, behind
closed doors at the Arlington Hotel. Ths
newspaper men were kept ut the keyhole for
several days, but tbs, first report of the Gem
mission reveals nothing that was not expected.
An interesting item is memorandum OF
Dewey's, explaining his relations with MIR.
| Aguinaldo. The Admiral states that at re
time was an alliance entered into with Ag nor
| was any promise of independence made him.
| The report claims that he condition of Ehtives
| has been greatly improved under American
| rule, but that they are far frGm being ut Tor
| eelf-yoyernment. ltrstestbcr mental capaci-
| ty high, but says that there too many different
| tribes, having little education aud almost no
political experience. The Commission seems
| to think that Aguinuldo intends nothing short
| of q personal lespotsm, and that it left TO his
merces. tho Filipines will soon lapse into state
of anarchy. Discretion OF churches, is denied;
also all reports that the war has Seen conducted
on our part in other tnan the most humane
msnuer. Summed up, the Commissions report
practically recommends the keeping Of the
Islands under our rule.
1t will be hard to figure out in advance the
Presidents message this year. and this report
will be one Of it's chief points.
Another feature, of course. will relate to the
condition of our atfairs in Cuba. Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee was in Washington this week, and talked
at some length on that subject. He says that
things are Furnishing under our protection,
that the industrial condition is improving and
that life and property ara now safe. He also
said that but for the presence of our troops,
conflicts might occur between the natives ana
their former oppressors which would be likely
to greatly retard progress. On the whole, Gen.
Lee believes that an era of peace and prosper
ty is in store for Cuba. He would not express
an opinion in regard to the fitness OF the Cubans
for self government at this stage of the game.
However, the trend of his ideas would indicate
that he regards the natives as better or under
American protection for some time to come.
On Monday Gen. Lee attended the funeral
services of the late Gen. Guy V. Henry, who
was laid to rest at historic Arlington, after
simple ceremonies at st. Johns Church. The |
President and Cabinet, and Army and Navy |
officers in large numbers were present at the |
side of the grave when the last bugle sounded |
and the last lutte was fired. Only few years |
since, Gen. Henry was commandunt at Fort |
Myer, just outside this city, and had great |
many personal friends here.
There seems to be no doubt that the State De-
partment is working quietly to secure for this
country port in China. Just where the United
States will gain an "open door, Is not stated.
The department is 10th to give out any state
ment, but practically admits that our chances
for success are good. For some years, Ameri-
can capital has been interested in obtaining
mining, manufacturing and railway grants in
the 'Flowery Kingdom" 1t is believed that
he aIrh inh fha tsta norfrr IL
now carrying on are intended to insure, for
both tho present and future, free access for
American commerce to the interior of China.
Admiral Crownnshield, chief of the Bureau
of Navigation, in his annual report, made
public this week, stirs up again the old Samp-
son slime. He arraigns Congress because of
failure to properly reward the men of Samp-
sons fleet. The report claims that these men
were not even voted medal. something thai
fell TO the lot of those taking part in victory
of more propitious hour" This is plainly
covert aliusion to the Buttle OF Manila. IL
would seem that we have had enough becker
ngs and heart-burnings on this subject. There
are plenty of peCpl. In Washington, who think
hat Sim ptson ought 70 have Il medal, Tut as |
% the material-wcli, it would not be Of the |
'ame - that voted to Dewey.
Meanwhile, the Sch!ey home fund is growing |
Practical business men have been interested !
IL the subject, and the committee claims that
he home is new assured.
Westinghouse army of the unemployed is (
planning an expedition to grab the kimberley
gold and diamond mines. If they succeed in |
,niisting every able-bod man in the District,
who wants to get rich without work, both
Bears and British might as we'll clear out of
south Africa. There won't be much left for ,
hem, when our hungry locusts swarm over Z
heir fair domaine.