The San Francisco call., 1899-08-01
: COMMUNICATIONS :.
9 o 9 q q 9 9 = 9 9 . = = . = = 3 .
OUR POLICY IN
THE PHILIPPINES

Editor San Francisco Call-Dear Sir:
have been a constant and careful reader
of your editorials regarding the Philip
pines and the imperialistic war now be-
ing carried on in the Philippines against
the natives inhabiting those islands. The
impossible report of General Smith of the
battle against the Babaylones on the ISL
and of Panay authenticates the informa-
ton impaired to me by an officer Of the
Oregon regiment while being entertained
in my house.
He informed me that in all their battles
the opposing force was very small, but
the fact of their Cthe Filipinos) being so
we'll acquainted with the peculiar con-
struction Of the earth's surface and the
natural projections afforded them by the
bamboo and scrub brush, gave them equal
advantages in fighting strength, and when
II was reported that they had won great
battle, defeating a strong detachment Of
natives, they had in fact only accom-
plished the feat by chasing a few Fiiipi-
nos back into more desolate portion OF
the country, who would return as soon
as our soldiers had abandoned the cap
tured territory.
Regarding the capture of a large guam
tity Of supplies, as always reported by
the press censor he stated in manner
which he considered amusing that the
Americans Immediately upon entering a
captured village would proceed to ran
sack every house, church and even hold
up the natives and procure everything
OF value, also that all natives discovered
coming toward the lines with flag OF
truce were shot down. He volunteered
the information that this was done for
the reason that some of them would
come into the lines to procure food and
would then return TO their ranks and con-
tinue fighting. There was no positive evi-
dence that they had ever done so, but
IL was rumored that such was the case
In appreciating the above facts seri-
ously is ii possible to ever convince even
ignorant, medieval people that a Govern
ment whose representatives are so inhu-
man on the field of battle is capable Of
giving them a government any better
than that which they have just been freed
from and as long as such a war of rob
berry and determination is carried on they
will fight until the last man is gone.
He states that the people as a class
are clever, intelligent and progressive,
and as Dewey says, more able TO govern
themselves than the Cubans.
This gentleman has had years of ex-
perience in the agricultural line, and is
ness of the country, and he expresses the
opinion that it will take century before
the United States will realize fair IN
terest on their investment, not consider
ing the cost of pacifying the people or
rather eXterminating them, and the tax
payer of this country will never receive
an authentic statement of the exact cost
of this imperialstic conquest.
His statements regarding the in
of the be9dnd 9eeFs belief IN and
that the people will. realize this to be a
fact when every regiment returning from
the Philippines will authenticate what IS
being told by those who have returned,
and when it has cost this Government
millions of dollars for keeping "Wyler-
ties in command in the army who are
acting in accordance and under the in
structions of an imperialistic political
ring they will then demand some change,
an early settlement, and some definite
policy regarding the future of the islands.
A business man who would purchase
property and pay over his cash when 1t
was impossible for him to secure clear
title or delivery would surely be consid-
cred a fit subject for the asylum. The
people of the United States are not blind
TO the fact that several million dollars
was paid Spain for something II dld
not own and which 1t was unable to de-
liver: however, we are an imperturba bic
race stanch believers in standing by the
Government in unavoidable trouble, but
how much longer will We bear the burden
of such an imperialtst1c war carried on
ence and the teachings of our forefathers!
The policy are trying TO carry out IN
the Philippines is worse than England IN
tended forcing on our forefatnerS, as IL
Is impossible for civilized people used to
a temperate zone to thrive in such tor
gent inhabitants of the Philippine Islands
That our object is to burden them with
a tax where we have everything to gain
(Which will not be much) and their con-
ditions will not be bettered.
Wishing you success in your effort TO
make this important question plain to the
lovers of liberty and truth, beg to re-
man. very 7'ii0e c. r. COULTER.
San Francisco, July 27, 1899