The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-09-05
Presidents Foreign Policy.

Senator, and was secretary OF tne
Treasury under Gen. u. s. Grant.
Presidents Foreign Policy.
Washington, Sept 9.-The President
returned to Washington yesterday from
Canton, Ohio, where he went for q
brief visit after leaving Lake Cham
plain, n. Y. During mis- vacation he
has given considerable thought to the
problems presented to the Administra-
ton in the Philippines, Cuba, Porto
Rico and Hawaii 1t Is believed that
he has reached we'll defined conclusions
in regard to the government OF these
dependencies, and these conclusions
may be summarized as follows
Civil government for the Philippines
by three commissioners, 20 supplant
the military government Immediately
after the Filipinos are subjugted.
Continued military CONTROL in Cuba
until it is determined by means OF
general election. whether the inhsb'
itants of the island want independence
or annexation. II Independence, the
new government elected will be recog-
nized by the United States and will be
given every opportunity to insure Its
stability. II annexation, the President
will be governed by the sentiment OF
the American people as it may then
exist
Civil government for Porto Rico OF
the territorial form. similar to that
which prevails in Arizona.
A territorial form Of government for
Hawaii az recommended by the Ha-
waiian Commission and as provided
for in a measure now pending in Con-
gress.
There is good authority for the state
ment that the President has returned
to Washington with these general ideas
uppermost in his mind as to his future
course in relation to our new depend.
encies. Some weeks will elapse before
he settles down to the actual prepare
tion Of his message, but he will begin
at once to discuss with his Cabinet the
problems which confront the Admins
tratiOn.
1t has been generally supposed that,
with the war still in Progress In tn
Philippines, the President would avoid
committing himself to recommends
tions for the future government OF the
islands, but it is said such will not be
the case His Pittsburg speech leaves
no room for doubt that he will insist
upon permanent American control OF
the archipelago. To this extent he
has come out squarely and thrown
down the gauntlet to the anti-imper-
ialists. He not only favors this perma'
nent control, but is preparing with
all the forces at his command to tigh
for it.
To avoid the charge of militarism-
and that is his reason for making the
recommendation proposes outlining
a plan TO Congress for substituting a
civil form of government for the mill
tary the moment peace prevails and the
complete supremacy OF the United
States is established Future discus
sions with his cabinet may change
somewhat his views as to the form OF
civil government best suited to meet
the situation, but at present the COM
mission idea predominates. President
Schurman, of the Philippine Commits
sion, had long conference with the
President and is understood to IA
vor this kind of control.
A historical review recently prepared
for the President showing that the
| United States has frequently adopted
this method Of control Of new territory
in transitory state, has deeply i'm
| pressed members Of the Administration
| 1t is appreciated that 1t will be some
years before the Philippine Archipel-
ago is ripe for even territorial form
| of government such as is is proposed
for Porto Rico, so that control by COM
| missioners, much the same az the Dis
trict of Columbia is governed is deemed
a happy substitute for military gov
eminent under safe and simple means
Of control, preliminary to the establish
ment Of territorial form Of govern
ment, when 1t may be possible to give
the natives generally the right Of suf-
frage.
The plan under consideration con-
templates three commissioner one an
army officer, to have charge Of usual
affairs another naval officer, to have
control of customs and third. lead.
ing Filipino, Of legal experience. to
look after the judiciary. all three TO be
appointed by the President and con.
frmed by the Senate. Further details
contemplate giving the Filipino g
voice in all municipal affairs and the
most liberal f.government possible.
President Schurman, Of the Phil p
pine Commission. was in conference
for several hours with Secretary Hay
today. explaining the work Of that
body. This evening Secretary Hay and
Mr.. Schurman were guests at dinner Of
the White House. Mr.. Schurman OK.
poets to remain in Washington until
Secretary of War Root returns to the
city.