The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-06
SOME VIEWS AT WASHINGTON
fpY c. A. EDWARDS.

Washington, August 4.--tStaff Special
n Mckinley were to live the most sancti-
fed life II were possible for any man "a
live don't believe he would go to Heav-
on lust at the supreme moment when
Saint Peter was in the act OF opening the
pearly gates he would turn tail and run
in the opposite direction.
or all the timerous. Facilitating admin
istrations ever endured by the American
ncopIe this one of William McKinley's is
the leader by long odds. He has Just given
another example of 1t In the Canauian
Alaskan boundary line squabble. After
working all the arts Of diplomacy, includ-
ing patience and perseverance OF high
degree, Great Britain was almost In the
act Of backing down and giving up the
fight. absolutely convinced that our state
department would not bulge an inch from
the stand II had taken over four months
ago, Mckinley caves in and allows them
concession that gives them the right to
ask for more Our state department is
not to blame for this. 1t has, under the
direction of Assistant Secretary Hill, made
hard and good fight, and would have
won out IL 1t had not been for the verte-
braless condition of Mr.. Mckinley. The
lingo spell" OF the hot-headed Topper and
OF Laurler, in the Canadian parliament
simply scared his braveless "blobs" nigh
unto death and he sent in hot haste for
the elongated Senator Fairbanks. who has
been up in Alaska at government expense,
and for the high-priced lobbyist, John w.
Foster, and asked their advice as to the
proper course to pursue in this alleged
crisis, where two hot heads were engaged
in doing the Ajax act
They at once told him to offer them n
free port on the Lynn canal; that they
would be perfectly satisfied and that then
they would not lick us. Straightway does
he so, thus upsetting all the plans and
all the work of the state department. Mr.
Tower, the charge d'affaires of the Brit
ish legation, was sent for and told what
the concession would be. and, as he was
expecting Just exactly the opposite out
come, he nearly fell out OF his chair from
sheer surprise. He recovered himself al
once, however, and demanded the right to
construct Canadian docks. wharves and
railroad terminal facilities at the free
port; and now to throw another scare
into Mckinley as big as an Iowa barn,
Sir Wilfred Laurier has announced that
an absolute cesslon OF territory was nee
essary and the only thing that would sat
isfy them.
That concession on the part OF the presi-
dent was a blunder superinduced by tim
idity that can never be repaired. 1t leaves
us with our diplomatic pants at half mast
and a blizzard blowing. They have sim
hand when he had four kings and an ace.
1t is concession. to degree, the right
of Canada's contention. The oleaginous
Brltons have grabbed 1t as a good reason
for asking more, The case is hung up
again until Mckinley knocks out the re-
fusal of the state department to grant the
demand Of the Canadian government for
the docks. wharves and railroads. This
he will probably do as soon as the new
scare percolates far enough under his
shirt.
1t is announced now that he will SEND
a garrison to Fort Pyramid, which ought
to have been done three months ago. Now
1t may be too late and when our troops
get there they may find that the place i.
already garrisoned by the Canadian mount
ed police, What will we do then? viii
we drive them out? II so who will be re-
sponsibe for the clash of arms and for
the war with Great Britain that might
follow? But in the event that this con.
tlhgehcy does not arise, what right have
we TO aprioge our customs laws TO oblige
hn ~ r.i by giving her free port on our
SOIL! me immediate effect of this free |
port, If Canada concludes to accent If |
VIII be the transfer of all the large bust |
ness or outitting parties to the Klondike |
country from the Pacific coast cities of |
.his country to Vancouver and the cities
In British Columbia. This. because they
can get their outfits cheaper over there
laVing no duty to. pay. Just wait until |
Ine meaning OF this free port offer gets
through the hair of those people living in
the states of Washington, Oregon and
Jai!fornia, and you will hear roar that
VIII reverberate from Yuba Dam to the
placid waters of Lake Champlain.
The administration lodges the charge
that the spoilsmen's syndicate put millions
IF the Nations money into It's gaping NAV
turing the war with Spain by buying doz-
-oS ASeuSu, anu paying Tor
hem sums SO large In proportion to their
actual value that comparison is positively
The administration has been
'nered the opportunity to vindicate u.
sell, and TO prove that no contractors riny
'Nisted 1t has been assured of wide nuh7
lcity II 1t Will make a showing that tho
war and navy departments were NOT rinsS
'uied during the war with Spain. All n
las been asked to do was simply IN suhs
mt Tor inspection accurate tables NJ ~.
'ost OF ships, etc, showing what was naId
or each vessel by the government: what
I cost the owner: how long Il had seryed
nm before the declaration of war win
'pain; and TO what use il was mt hn
'ilher the war or navy department af,ar 1
Is acquisition. This fair proposition has /,
'esn rejected by the administration. II
ioages II dare not permit publicity Of
nese pertinent facts, That would mean
N expose of the kitchen cabinet. And tbs ,
hrinking modesty that keeps every Han
lalte from facing the public, appeais 70 c
ne ship owners. Not man who nar,sS =
WITH barnacle-clogged craft for tvs gu
hree times Its actual value eyincev onn J
disposition to tell the truth about ~ :
zeal. Blocked in this way by ths admir- ne
stration itself, official statements n, ~.
ctual profits OF the contract ring CON ~, !
70 made. Inadvertently. perhens ~.
evertheless officially the navy Ssna.t p
nent has left an opening which p,yas q
int OF the startling possibilities Of 60
ressional war investigation, fearlessIv I
III.