The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-02-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., February 18th.

MIR. EDIToR:-Thc wisdom of the dem
ocratic Senators in prolonglng the debate
on the Philippine question until all had
time to fairly express their opinions on
the subject has been justified in the diver
gent interests which are beginning TO
manifest themselves on the republican
side of the chamber. In the face of the
testimony of Governor Taft, and of the
contentious of the republican Senators
that the FilipinoS are contented with the
existing state of affairs. there has been
received a petition from he Federal party
in the islands, signed by 100000 of the
more prominent citizens. requesting that
the islands be made an integral part of
the United States and given Il territorial
form of government. This, of course, is
not at all in line with the republican de
signs, but it has produced considerable
effect on the more conservative members
of the party who are beginning to realize
that their colonial policy is impractical
and that unless they accord the Filipinos
territorial rights and hold out to them the
prospect of ultimate citizenship, they are
likely to have continuous instruction
on their hands and one that will increase
rather than diminish With Senator For
aker urging a reduction of IS per cent. of
the Ding'ey tariff rates and Senator Mitch
ell demanding a reduction of so per cent,
the outcome of the present bill is hard to
predict but whatever the republicans de-
termine upon they have the strength to
carry A more serious contest will be
precipitated, however, when the Philip
pine government bill comes up for con-
sideration.
1t is somethi. & a commentary on re-
publican diplomacy that, while the admin
istration is endeavnring to establish cor
dial relations with the Filipinos and in
spire in them respect for American insti-
tutions, Governor Taft is testifying in
Washington that they are "a lazy, indolent
people incapable of performing jury duty
or determining questions of justice OF
course, the press of the islands publishes
these statements and doubtless tue people
will be tlattered into an immediate appre-
citation of the American sense of justice,
quickness of perception and kcenness Of
judgment.
TO close observer the trend of the
government toward colonialism, entangl-
ing alliances with foreign powers and the
attendant naval and military development
is nc ccssari!y source of anxiety. The
sentiments expressed in the Senate lobbies
when the news of the Anglo japanese
alliance was made known were more than
in which the country is drifting. The
military strength of the country, already
weakened by the distant possessions which
must be protected in time of war, must
now be augmented and the country placed
on the highway toward standing arm,
and navy that can compete with the
European nations into rivalry with which
we have entered in the new struggle for
colonial possessions and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
As is we'll known, the efforts of our dele
gates to the Pan American Congress were
hampered by the belief Of South Amerl-
can countries that this government re-
garded them with a covetous eye. The
fear was ridiculed by the press, but on
Friday a member of the Senate Committee
on Interoceanic Canals stated that perma-
nent ownership of the land through which
the Panama Canal might be built was un-
important, as long before the 20O-year
lease would have expired this country
would "own all that territory
Opposition to this tendency found voice
in the House on Friday when Mr.. Wheeler
of Kentucky, made a violent attack upon
the administration for its policy in regard
to foreign nations and royalty. Had the
gentleman's speech been little more
carefully prepared and had he omitted
some expressions to which he was doubt
less led by the excess oi his feelings, the
address would have proved more effective
Underlying the somewhat extravagant
language he used was the stratum of Il
great truth.
Stree the passage of the majority anti
oleomargarine bill by the House, that
body has been engaged in the considera-
ton of private bills-"doing ode jobs" as
one of the members expressed it when
asked him what was going on inside.
To-day the Ways and Means Committee
will consider the Cuban reciprocity ques
ton, not because it wants t., but because
the unpala: BILE truth has been forced upon
the Committee that, in the words of a
1t is probable the Committee will report
some measure of relief to Cuba. What its
terms will be cannot be foretold, but,
whatever they are, they will be made to
President when the measure is taken up
in the Senate Committee.
To day the House will take up the re-
peal of the war revenue taxes. Before
introducing the measure, however, an
attempt will be made to pass rule limit
ing the debate to two days and prohibit
ing the Offering of any motion during the
discussion. This is intended, If course,
to prevent Mr.. Bahcock and Others who
advocate tariff reform from amending the
bill. 1t is Il sample of the gay law with
which the republicans control the party
and is, needless to say, in Greet violation
of the spirit of the constitution, which
intended that the House should be de
Lucrative body. The party Whips have
been actively engaged and it is believed
that the rule will be adopted
The campaign for government owner
ship of the Pacific cable is being vigorous
ly pushed. Representative Corliss, of
Michigan, recently addressed the House
on the subject, and yesterday he told me
he believed he would be able to carry the
bill. He has won over his committee until
it stands - for and ) against. although
the original vote of the committee was 8
for and against with . members absent
Mr. Corliss' speech in the House in sup
port of his views was an able effort and
appeared to be received with marked ap-
prOyal by MANY members on both sides of