New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-27
+" THREE VITAL STAGES"
MIR. CARNEGIE on THE WAR, THE PHIL
IPPINES AND PUERTO RICO
ALSO THE CANAL.
ALSO THE CANAL.

Washington Feb. ga prominent Repub-
rcan and supporter Of the Administrations pol
icy has received the following letter from
Andrew Carnegie. with whom his relations are
friendly, but from whose views Of the question
of expansion he dssents:
New-York February %. 1900
My Dear Friend: I fulfil my promise 10 give
you in writing the views I expressed hastily
yesterday in Washington upon the present POSI-
ton of our party.
As one looks over the situation he is impressed
by the fact that the President has been right
at first upon each Of the three vital stages IN the
drama. He was right in counseIling delay in de-
claring war against Spain. when he was assured
that his rfghtful demand for Canadia. Home
Rule [home rule in Cuba Of the Canadian typel
was within reach. Members Of his own party
in Congress were wrong when they failed TO
support the President and under gust Of pas
sion declared war contrary to his advice.
In the second important crisis our leader was
also right at first. and showed the highest
political wisdom. The Philippines were not to be
demanded. but the Pandora's box 70 be left for
Spain to struggle with.
Again in regard to Puerto Rico. he has been
right from the very start. The constitutional Issue
would have been avoided and all gone well had he
been Loyalty supported in Congress He showed
rare craftsmanship, seeing it was our duty to
extend to that island the right assured to all
other parts Of the country. viz; the inestimable
blessings of free exchange Of products When
such prominent and loyal party men in Congress
as Mccall LittIefeld. Powers. Lorimer and 9TH
ars declare that they cannot vote for any tariff
against Puerto Rico. because such would be IN
constitutional halt has 20 be called. To over
ride the votes Of such Republicans by Demo
cratic votes means serious trouble for the party
1t should not be thought Of. It is to be hoped
that the party leaders in Congress will conclude
to support the President and give Puerto Rico
It's constitutional right Of free exchange
Thus in each of the three crises which have
arisen we find the President differs from Philip
who began drunk and only ended sober The
President begins right, and the party will do
we'll to note that fact and hereafter follow his
first advice. Our party in Congress has been
wrong in opposing the Presidents first decisions
and the President has been wrong in being so
easily frightened by threatened opposition The
result of this let us hope IS TO be that Congress
will be more inclined TO follow the Presidents
| Judgment hereafter as first delivered and the
| President seeing what evil results attend Con-
| gressional opposition will resolve to stand more
| firmly for what he sees at the start 20 be the
| right and true policy. Congressional leaders
are not responsible for the Presidents change
| in the case of the PHILIPPINES 1t is supposed
the popular will as expressed during his West
ern tour produced that; DuI WhetheE OJ OOh-
gress or people, the Presidents first decision was
opposed instead of being loyalty supported by
the party, and that is what is important for US
to remember
The views you expressed about the canal
treaty are in accord with my own. cannot
understand how a Republican Administration
could abandon the position hitherto held by the
party, that the CIayton-Bulwer Treaty had be-
come non-existent The proposed treaty even
will
serious mischief behind. since it has recognized
the CIayton-BuIwer and given it something like
life.
My view is that Britain should be now asked
| to recognize once for all that no canal will oe
built which is not TO be controlled by this Re
public as IL pleases in peace or war. That while
we recognize and will respect the rights pos
| sessed by foreign Powers upon this continent
we will press by every legitimate means for
| steadily lessening them until not a vest1ge re-
| mains and that under no conditions will any
| new power or right OF influence ever be per-
mitted
This. according to my idea. is true American
| ism. and should rather sondify American
| power upon American soil by the foot than &C
| quire ilusory possessions on another continent
| by the hundred mile.
In the case we have substance; IN the
other only shadow. bringing grave dangers
| with it.
| 1 am inclined TO agree with you that to adopt
! the new treaty is to commit political suicide for
| the forthcoming campaign Yours truly one
| who has never voted anything but the Repuoh-
| can ticket and who hopes he may never be
| cononeIled to do So ANDREW CARNEGIE
| EDUCATION THROUGH THE TRIBUNE.
| A SPECIMEN OF WHAT Is OFFERED IN ONE
| DAYS ISSUE.
| To the Editor OF The Tribune.
| Sir: Wendell Phillips recognized two kinds OF
| education-the education OF Yale and Harvard
and that of The New-York Tribune.
| In their study of this daily textbook young
people may be guided and stimulated by ques-
| tons The following are some Of the questions
| for use to-day in home class for the study or
| current topics as presented IN The Tribune;
First-Describe the situation at the seat Of war
in South Africa. Page l.
| Second-Why did Great Britain, soon after the