Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-11-09

again and have the solid ground be-
meath our feet when. on the 23d day
of August, we steamed around the
northern point of the island OF Luzon
down its western side. and the next
morning entered the hay and to
anchor off Cavite island, or PENN
suia, for Al causeway connects it with
the main land.
The next day we diseInbarked and
Were quartered in the old Spanish
barracks along thenorIhern sea wall.
Subsequently we moved twice, the
last time to u present quarters,
which are the best we have had since
leaving home.
Soon after coming To anchor we
We're greeted with the information
that Manila had been taken on the
18th of August. Also, il is almost
the only news we have had since
arrival here. We know that Gen.
Merritt has sailed for the United
States, and it is said he will proceed
thence tn Paris, where, it is said. the
terms Of peace between the United
States and Spain are to be consid-
cred. Further than this we really
know nothing of what is going on i'm
the great world outside OF Manila
and Cavite. The last letter received
from home wa dated July "A and
was seven weeks in coming to me.
You can understand the feeling of un-
rest and anxiety that will sometimes
seize upon one's mind under such cir
cumstances. However, one can al
ways trust in God and keep a stiff
upper lip, either Of which is a good
thing to do.
Apart from Observation-Disclosures
many of us are greatly interested to
know what the United States will do
with the Philippines. Opinions vary
greatly. My own is that, since we
must now develop a colonial policy
and maintain an army and navy ad-
equate for the protection of not only
our American coasts, but also of that
of the Hawaiian islands and such
possessions AS we shall acquire in the
West Indies, it would be a mistaketo
give up the Philippines. 1t seems
likely that the greater part of the
West Indies will be ours in thecourse
of a few years at the most. We have
already the Hawaiian group. These
lands are not yet fit for self-govern-
ment. Generations must elapse be-
fore they will be. The United States
will nave to govern them Us colonies.
Phe Philippines are, IT easily may be-
come, as valuable as any of the ac-
QUESTIONS likely to be made by us.
They are about twenty-four times as
large in area as the Hawaiian islands
and not less valuable prOpOrtiOnally.
Furthermore, it would be a work of
humanity to take these islands, as
well AS the othercolonial possessions
of Spain. They have been horribly
misgoverned. Untold oppression has
been practiced upon the native in
habitants, who are even now fearful
the United States may return them
to the frightful bondage of their for
mer masters. This seems to be the
reason why the insurgents do not
wish to lay down their arms. They |
would be d~efenseless against Spain If
they did. If the United States is to
return the possession of these islands
to the Spaniards, the natives ought
to be left in as favorable a condition
as practicable.
III the United States is destined to
become "A world power, it is to be
earnestly desired that she may ac-
complish that destiny worthily and
greatly. 1t is the firm belief of the
writer that the Almighty uses men
and nations to work out His designs,
and one may be content i'm this be-
lief, assured that this matter will be
guided in the right path. Let us hope
that out of it may grow honor and
power to our country and protection
and prosperity to the inhabitants of
such lands as may be brought within
our dominion.
The general feeling among the sol
diery is that our return home will not
be long delayed. Some of the men
are sanguine enough to hope that
they will eat their Christmas dinner
in Montana, but this is scarcely prob
able. Much would seem to depend
on the disposition that is made OF
the Philippines. If the United States
keeps them, a considerable force will
have to he stationed here-probably
more than the regulars now in the
islands.
On the other hand, if the islands
are returned to Spain-which God
forbid-we are likely to leave in a
comparatively short time. We all
want to go home as soon as Uncle
Sam is done with us, but most of us
want to stay until the purpose Of