Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-05
POLITICAL CAPITAL
Democrats in Congress Will Try and
Make It.
PENDING PHILIPPINE SITUATION
Course of the Administration to Be
Pursued Cautiously.
CONFIDENT OF VlNDICATION

Some interest is manifested in political
circles over the probable attitude Of the
democratic minority in Congress toward
the course Of the administration in the
pending Philippine situation, the question
being as to how much political capital the
democrats may attempt to make out Of 1t.
The opinion is expressed that the admin
istrations 8 position Is not only well fortified,
but is adroitly taken as well, and that the
democrats will find difficulty in success
fully assailing 1t. 1t Is conceded tnat the
government aims to avoid a course of ac-
ton susceptible Of being discountenanced
In the future by a Supreme Court decision
and to prevent the possibility Of adverse
criticism in the next campaign. 1t Is as
sumed that the higher motive. the desire
to be right is primary. but the political
, exigency may be admitted to be a close
second.
officials Optimistic.
In the outcome a great deal will depend.
1t Is said, upon the success Of the contem-
plated program with the Filipinos; upon
how they take the government that will be
given them. Naturally, the officials Of the
government are optimistio in their views
and express the brightest hopes of the
peaceful assimilation by the Filipinos Of
the mixed military-civil government that
will be imposed upon them.
OF course, 1t Is expected that there will
be some cavil from democratic sources over
the supremacy Of the military government.
The democrats, 1t is said, will insist that
the passage Of the Spooner amendment
contemplated the complete subordination of
the military to the civil jurisdiction as soon
as possible. In answer to this 1t will be
pointed out by the republicans that the first
words OF the Spooner amendment provided
that all military, civil and judicial pow
ers'" etc, necessary for the establishment
of civil government shall be exercised as
the President directs, leaving the broad
inference that the military authority Is
paramount as long as necessary
To Extend Civil Government.
The understanding in department circles
Is that there will be no cessation Of effort
to extend the civil branches Of the govern
ment In the Philippines, and that the or
ganization Of municipalities and the other
features Of civil regime will proceed
without pause But it will all be under
the orders of the Secretary Of War and
communicated to the proper channels
through the military commander In Ma
Mia. The object Of this. Of course, is to
meet possible proceedings in court, grow
ing out Of tariff duties, by the plea that
the Philippines are still under military con-
troll. and therefore not analogous to the
case Of Porto Rico.
1t Is said that the government will pro-
coed cautiously in every step, and that the
orders and course Of action will be shaped
with view to protecting the govern
ment's interest and sustaining the present
policy in any cases that may be brought in
court under this policy.
Political interests will not be overlooked,
however, and If the democrats can take
any tricks they will be welcome to do CO.
1t Is thought that by December when Con-
gress meets, the situation will have taken
definite form, the attitude Of the Filipi-
nos thoroughly developed, and it will be
possible for the wise men of the party in
Congress assembled to shape such legisla-
tion as may be necessary.
May Postpone Legislation.
In this connection it is pointed out that
1t may be deemed best to postpone legisla-
tive action until the Supreme Court has
decided the fourteen diamond rings case"
or some other brought to cover all the cir
cumstances and any rev conditions that
may have arisen since the argument in
that law suit was made.
1t may be stated that the administration
Is very confident of vindication in its
course, both by the court and at the hands
of the people, and that no half-hearted or
timorouS policy will mark it's action