The evening times., 1899-07-29
SATURDAY, JULY 2s. 1899.
Base Islander of the President.

Base siander of the President.
The announcement is made simultane-
ously through Administration organs and
that larger section of the press which is
not an organ that the President has de-
cided not to recall Otis or in any way to
modify the powers of that incompetent
military commander in the Philippines.
The reason alleged for this decision of the
President is the belief on his part that
''politics' is at the bottom of the demand
for a new deal in our Oriental possessions.
So, suiting his action to his thought, Mr.
Mckinley has sent TO General Otis an ex-
preston OF confidence in his ability and
judgment. and assurances that his conduct
Of civil and military matters meets With
the approval of the Government AT the
same time. we are assured from Lake
Champlain that the question of dual
control of the Philippines by a military and
civil ruler after May i next, will be dis
cussed at a conference between Mr.. Root,
Vice President Hobart, General Co-bin,
and the President, which Will take place
probably next week
We DO not know which of these stories
TO believe. They are contradictory in mo-
live and purpose. The overwhelming weight
OF sound sense, however is on the side OF
the Lake Champiain report 1t cannot be
that AR. Mckinley has determined to CO..
tinue Otis in supreme command at Manila
bscause he believes politics is al the boz
tom" OF the clamor for his displacement.
That would be an admission unworthy the
President OF the United States. II would
mean 1fat Nj McKinley's mind is poisoned
with suspicion against his count-ymea.
Nobody outside of the small circle OF in
fus1ce in tha Adjutant Generals Once has
f. spoken .an earnest word OF protest against
tie suggestion OF Otis recall. No recog-
nlzsd military expert at home or abroad has
defended Otis methoes. No friend or foc
OF the President, except persons in the Ac-
jutant Generals Office, has attempted 10 ex-
cuse his blunders No Democrat or Re-
publican who has spoken on the subjsct
but has strengthened the opinion that Otis
longer continuance in control of Mania
would injure the Presidents political fer
tunes.
What therefore. can be meant By the
claim that the President believes politics
is at the bottom of the demand for Otis
recall? In view OF well established facts
to the contrary, this suggests 4 lower view
of the case than We are willing to believe.
of1hand, Mr. Mckinley is capable Of tax
ing II presupposes that his judgment is
tinctured with form of political coward
ice never before displayed by an occupant
of the White House. 1t suggests that he is
one of the few Americans who see any
politics In the Philippine military prob
lem. Ii seems TO offer a revolving
possibility that Mr. Mckinley is politically
afraid to send to the Philippines a COM
mander who would smash the Malay mutiny
in short order.
We refuse to believe that any of these
motives is controlling the President in
this crisis. II is also unreasonable TO be-
lieve that Mr.. McKinley's alleged con
gratulations" to General Otis were any
thing more than perfunctory communica-
tions of the Commander-in-Chief TO a
subordinate in order to keep the subor-
dinate's courage up to the highest perform
ance pending his displacement The al
legged "congratulations" are SO at variance
with the Presidents action in authorizing
the organization of twelve new regiments
to re-enforce the army in the Philippines,
despite Otis alleged repeated declaration
that the force already at his command was
sufficient, that they cannot be regarded in
any other light than that suggested.
The most tenable theory of the case is
that the President has given out this lat
est expression as a 'feeler'' Of the public
judgment of Otis and the general situation
in the Philippines. If that be true, there
is no uncertainty as TO what the result
will be. Mr.. Mckinley will learn in an
unmistakable way that the national wish
is for the immediate replacement of Otis.
He will also learn that the country is not
concerned with whatever politics he or
the War Office may see in the situation.
All the Republic demands at present is a
competent hand at the throttle in the Phil
ippines-a fighting general who will crush
the rebellion in a straightforward. soldier
ly manner and not an "Old Grandma"