The evening times., 1899-01-12
THURSDAY. JANUARY Il, 1899.
The Presidents Timidity.


The confirmation OF the suspicion that |
AguinaIdo has the advice and material aid /
OF the agents of Germany at HOngkong will |
make the position of the i-eXpansionists !
far from comfortable. When the country !
fully understands the situation, Senators !
who are found consorting with that match
less ogoist, Andrew Carnegie, viii have
something to explain if they hope TO es-
cape the contempt of their fellow-men.
The American people, we are confident,
are by no means satisfied with the apollo
getic attitude Of members of Congress who
favor the ratification of the Treaty or with
thar of The President. It was necessary to
expedite The latter's reluctant steps
in order 10 free Cuba, and there
were months when he was non
committal as to the Philippines.
Having been compelled by public sentiment
10 take the only sane course-to retain the
Philippines rather than return them 10
Spain or abandon them to the absolute rule
OF 4 seIf-constituted dictator-he has been
iutimidated b. the frantic cries of the an
tiquated Federalists, Hoar and Edmunds.
He submits the whole matter to Congress
withou; ringing declaration of his own
principles and purposes, refusing TO add
The influence Of his Office to the cause Of
expansion. For one brief week in the
South where he had visible encouragement
in the enthusiasm of surrounding thou
sands, he reached the heights OF courage
and eloquence and the effect on the enemies
OF his declared policy was marked and in
Simultaneous. They were driven TO cover,
Tor it was obvious that his boldness added
10 his popular support. Since his return to
Washington and to the influence of the
timid politicians, he has weakened. He
has de;ractej from the confidence and ag-
gressivcness Of Senators who support his
policy. Senator Foraker was almost apollo
getic. be VAS certainly timid, in asserting
that so Tar the Chief motive of the expan-
sionsts was Eoc 10 add to the territory.
the influence. the trade, the strength and
The glory Of our nation by annexing the
Philippines; ilat no policy has yet been
determined beyond holding the islands un-
III something should happen, presumably
10 relieve US of the burden. He took pains
10 disayow all sympathy with those who
proposed 10 bring the self-seeking brigand
AguinaIdo, 10 submission by force if nee
essaru
President Mckinley may thank himself
for this. His own weakness has depressed
the Senatorial advocates cf his policy. If
he meets with serious distractions, he
alcnc is 10 blame. The American people
we have every reason to believe, are in
favor q auneXiug the Philippines as part
of ,hc American domain; OF ruling them
as we would any other territory; of treat
ing The defiant outlaw, Agunaldo, as we
shall have TO treat the escaped criminals
in some OF The mountains; of enforcing in
stant and complete submission to the au-
thority of this Government at any cost.
The Intervention Of Germany, through
the Vaccinations Of Prince Henry. whose
insult to Admiral Dewey at Hongkong the
latter promptly returned, VIII only in
crease the popular desire for the quick
suhjugaton of the Filipino rebels If there
had been 4 disposition to deal Ieniently
with Aguinaldc, the fact that he repre-
sents and is upheld by Germany for her
own eBds-the possession of the Philip
pines, if that can be achieved-makes it
imperative fer the homer Of America and
fer the continued respect of the world
that we should no longer refrain from
roughness. The people hate a coward If
Il is impressed on their minds that
through the tiInidity Of the President the
ratification Of the Treaty is delayed in an
effort TO emasculate it and defeat their
supreme puTpose-the complete annexation
of the Philippines-and if Germany is al
lowed TO move the Filipino rebels with i'm
punity, no subsequent squirt of President
Mckinley in the direction of annexation
can save him from condemnation. They
do not want an administrator that has
no policy, no backbone. bu' t..es merely
to keep in z changing current & Senatori-
al opinion. It does not M hat Eng