Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-03-22
FREELAND, Pa, MARCH 2s, 19oc
WASHINGTON LETTER.


The nightmare labeled Porto Rico
tariff" still hovers over the pillows Of
prominent Republicans and destroys
their rest. Conferences are held every
day with Mr.. Mckinley by senators who
favor the tariff and by senators who
favor free trade, and the odd thing is
that both classes OF senators talk as
though they believe Mr.. Mckinley to be
on their side. All sorts OF propositions
are being advanced by Republican sem
ators to avoid anything like an open
rupture in their party on this question,
one of them being to continue the de-
bate until the close of the session with
out allowing the bill to come to vote,
| and another to load it up with all sorts
Of amendments and then defeat it by
an overwhelming vote, The Republi-
can party is in control OF all branches
of the government and for it to fail to
place itself on record by positive legis-
| ation on this question would be an
acknowledgment OF weakness that
would be absolutely certain to drive the
party from power. That is why they
will have to patch up some sort Of legis-
lation.
That alleged offer OF the good Offices
of this government to facilitate negotia-
tions for peace between Great Britain
and the Dutch republics in South Africa
| was confirmatory rather than otherwise
of the belief that an understanding
exists between the Mckinley admins
tration and the present British govern
ment. 1t enabled Mr.. Mckinley to
make an attempt to soothe the numerous
Republican sympathizers with the two
| struggling republics, by pretending to
| do something, and at the same time
gave Lord Salisbury just what he wanted
an excuse to serve notice on the
powers OF Europe, through his answer
to the alleged offer Of our good offices
that no mediation would be tolerated by
Great Britain, and that the conquest
OF the two republics would be pushed to
conclusion as originally planned. II
that was not the result of an under
standing between the British govern
ment and the Mckinley administration,
it was one OF the oldest coincidents
that ever occurred.
I
Foreign policies are not the only
things this administration is copying
| from European nations. Secretary
Long has created q board to be known
as the naval policy board, corresponding
to the general staff of European navies,
which will control our navy both in
peace and war. Admiral Dewey is head
| OF the new board. Inasmuch as our
navy has got along for more than a
century, during which IL has won some
OF the greatest victories ever fought on
departure is not apparent. Less red
tape, not more, would seem to be what
is needed. AS long as Dewey is at the
head of the new board, no fear need be
felt about what it may do, but with a
political favorite at its head, it might do
much mischief.
/
The senate amended the house bill,
placing at Mr.. McKinley's disposal all
money collected on Porto Rican prod
ucts under the Dingley tariff and all
to be collected Hereunder, to be spent
at his discretion for the benefit OF the
Porto Ricans, by limiting the money to
the amount collected before the be-
ginning of this year-slightly moro than
So, ZOO, ,ooo-and providing that it should
be used for public education, public
works or for other governmental pur-
poses on the island, and then passed it
without a division.
|