Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-05
MONDAY EVENING. JUNE 8. 1899

INuTAToRs are very apt to make
fools of themselves. 1t is not we'll OF
wise for great republic to look to the
London press for inspiration or guild
anee. Yet this is just what the ad-
mipistration is doing. Both in respect
of financial policy aud its imperial
colonial policy it gets its cue from Lon
dom 1t looks to the British press to
tell it what is best for American in
tarests. The administration dritted
into the Spanish war and now claims
credit for it. When war came II
didn't know how to deal with it. An
incompetent man, weighing three or
four hundred pounds was sent down 10
command the army at Santiago, Where
he Law in a hammock. three or tour
miles in rear of the fighting !lne' ana
sweltered, and famed himself, Hno
wanted to retreat after the battle
of San Juan. The army was saved
from this disgrace by the superior wit
and courage of Southern general who
had been in the fight. The exploits OF
Sampson in his senseless bombardment
and incorrect fourth of July telegram,
the intrigue to destroy schley, the oeel
contracts and the whitewashing courts
all these are matters ofhistory and are
enough to shame any administration.
But in the making of the treaty OF
peace, in formulating demands upon
Spain when, utterly helpless, she sued
for peace, vet greater folly was shown.
Congress had mapped out the policy OF
the war. Cuba was to be rescued from
Spain and accorded the boon OF SELF
government. Nine months have
elapsed and little progress has been
made towards carrying out this result,
save an abortive attempt to induce
lot of negro brigands and cut threats to
give up their guns at seventy-hve
dollars piece. Most people
know that for a third or 3 fourth Of this
money the marauder could buy new
and far better gun and that yankee
traders in abundance would be glad to
take the contract to supply the arms
and run them into the island regardless
of General Brooke's orders to the
contrary. The policy of the law In re-
gard to Cuba ought to have shaped thai
in regard to Porto Rico and the Philip
pines. This country thus has saved
bloody and costly war in the Philip
pines, the end of which no man can
foresee. Naval stations ought to have
been secured in Porto Rico and the
Philippines. That was ali this country
really needed except naval station on
the Caroline Islands. The latter could
have been obtained without any
difficulty. Ali to be done was to take
it. But the administration never had a
clear national policy. Its only idea
was the iobbery of paying twenty mil
lion to Spain for islands in which she
did not control ten miles square, while
the insurgents held the balance and the
United States held The naval control.
And now, while involved il this sense
less war in the Philippines, comes the
news that Germany has picked up the
Caroline Islands and snaps her fingers
in the face OF the United States and
says, "what are you going to do about
it?" And, besides, the little lone islano
of Guam, in the Ladrones. is to be sur
rounded by German possessions and
German naval power, all because the
administration didn't know what Ger
many was after. Was there ever such
q set OF aimpletons, knaves, intriguers
aud phrasenakers as now have charge
OF this country?