Evening star., 1901-09-18
ROOSEvELT'S POLICY
Can Be Learned From That of the
Late President.
RECIPROCITY THE LEADING ISSUE
May Be Opposed by Lodge on
This Matter.
THE CUBAN PROB L E M

The earnest request made by President
Roosevelt yesterday that all the members
Of Mr. McKinley's cabinet should remain
with him throughout his administration Is
the first step in the direction Of carrying
out the pledge made by the new President
Of adhering to the policies Of Mr.. McKin-
ley. The request Of President Roosevelt
will be accepted in the same spirit In
which 1t was rendered, and 1t is assured
that there will be no changes in the cab
met for long time, certainly not until
after the assembling of Congress. An ex-
ira session Of the Senate will not have to
be called The personal desires Of cabinet
officers will be laid aside and the members
will apply themselves to aiding in making
successful the administration Of their new
chief.
President Mckinley after his Inaugural
ton on March last, in a heart-to-heart
talk with his cabinet members, inviting
them to remain with him. generously gave
to them the credit for whatever commen-
dation his administration had received
from the country. So Mr.. Roosevelt be-
gins the carrying out of the dead Presl-
dents policies with a cabinet who knew
the intentions as to the details OF those
policies thoroughly and had aided In origi-
mating them.
There were many great problems that
the dead President and his administration
were solving by policies that were deter
mined upon long ago. and some OF which
the country had approved by its suffrage.
Other problems were in the process Of solu-
ton which carried with them policies
that were less definitely known, but were
clearly understood, and still others for
which there were policies that opportunity
hnI nff fn frr1t 0yAf a MI
the latter was the great problem OF reci-
procty-that about which the business
world Is today deeply interested. In Presi-
dent Mckinley's notable speech at Buff
falo the day before he was shot he made
this question the foremost of four upon
which he touched. 1t was foremost in his
mind during the last five or six months.
His policy on this great question had not
been as thoroughly known that upon
some other questions, but the public was
watching keenly the developments Of the
Presidents ideas in that direction. and
mitted to a positive step. Both in his
speech at Buffalo and in speeches on his
recent western trip the President said that
the country could not repose in fancied
security that we can forever sell every
thing and buy little or nothing"
Policy Of Friendly Trade.
The President did not know but that our
position would bring about trade wars, and at
Buffalo he said that these were unprof1t-
able. He had seen that the great business
prosperity of the country might be checked
seriously by reprisals and so he announced
unequivocally that the policy of the coun-
try should be one Of friendly trade rela-
tions with other countries. He knew that
only broad and enlightened policy would
prevent trouble. The policy clearly an
nounced at Buffalo had not been just de-
termined in his mind. He urged it in his
last annual message and before Congress
adjourned he talked with members OF that
body about the ratification Of the CONNER
cial agreements then before it. He could
not push the matter then because of the
many other great questions that were
he had concluded to make reciprocity the
most important subject in his annual mes
sage to Congress this fall Mr. Roosevelt
has committed himself to that policy and
no doubt his message to Congress will con-
tain full discussion Of it.
Three Other Questions.
The dead President touched upon three
other questions at Buffalo. He said that
aid should be extended the merchant ma
rine. so that there may be more American
ships to do the big business that is blessing
the country; that an interoceanic canal
should be built, and that the construction
OF Pacific cable, connecting the island
possessions Of the United States, could not
longer be postponed.
gress at the next session, and Mr. Roose-
welt Will discuss them In his message On
the important subject of reciprocity Mr.
roosevelt Is declared to be at issue with
MS closest friend. Senator Lodge, who has
not shown friendly disposition in the SEN
ate to the treaties that were before tho
upper house at the last session On this
subject Mr; Lodge cannot represent the
new administration in the Senate. 1t ia
pointed out with Mr.. Roosevelt earnestly
committed to carrying forward the com
mercial policy Of the dead President
Cuba and Philippines.
The Cuban and Philippine problems are
regarded as more or less settled. although
grave questions connected with these coun-
tries will arise. and there will also remain
the working out OF details Mr.. Roose
velts methods Of meeting the new ones
necessarily be different from that NJ the
dead President. although they win all he
directed toward the policy which the for.
mer President established and which has
Deen approved by the country. President
Mckinley regarded the Filipinos as IVA rds
OF the nation" He thought that the obIj
cations of this country as guardian Of tha
wards wards should be honestly fulfilled. with the
object or the greatest benefit to the neo
pie, who, he thought would advance In
culture and citizenship
AS to Cuba. Mr. Mckinley said compara-
lively little In his message, except to for
promises
Congress as to the independence of Cuba
be carried out. He was slow in moving to
that end In his part of the work. so that
no accusation could be made that the
United States had not endeayored to es-
tablish a stable government Soon will
come the question of withdrawing from
Cuba and leaving the island in possession
Of the people The management of this
matter will be delicate one Important
questions will arise between now and then.
and likewise In connection with establish
ing the new government Of the island. 1t
will give President Roosevelt a chance to
| inaugurate a policy of his own, inasmuch
as President Mckinley was committed to
nothing more than the carrying out of the
laws and wishes of Congress.
Mr.. Mckinley taught Congress a lesson
this year when he threatened to call an ex-
ira session II that body did not share some
Of the responsibilities Of Cuba. The Cuban
problem was one he did not care to shoulder
entirely, and there has often been a sus-
picion that II Congress had not committed
itself Mr.. Mckinley would have preferred
to follow some other course as to Cuba 3
future. The man whose military career In
Cuba brought him more prominently to the
| front than anything else may yet be the
one to permanently settle some mighty
questions regarding that island
The Chinese Question.