Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-29
HE DEFENDS THE WAR
President Mckinley Discusses Gov
ernment's Policy in Philippines.
TALKS TO RETURNED VETERANS
He Declares His Actions Are War
ranted by Constitution.
GREAT CROWD AT PITTSBURG

President Mckinley made a speech of
welcome at Schenley Park, Pittsburg, yes
terday afternoon, in honor of the return
of the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteers from
Manila. The speech was notable as being
largely a declaration of the Presidents
views and policy in reference to the Philip
pines. Mr.. Mckinley said in part:
Il am glad to participate with the fam
HES, friends and fellow citizens of the 10th
Pennsylvania Volunteers in this glad
union. You have earned the plaudits not
alone of the people of Pennsylvania but of
the whole nation.
You made secure and permanent the
victory of Dewey. You added new glory
to American arms You and your brave
comrades engaged on other fields of con-
fiict have enlarged the map of the United
States and extended the Jurisdiction of
American liberty.
Our troops represented the courage and
conscience. the purpose and patriotism of
their country. Whether in Cuba, Porto
Rico or the Philippines at home await
ing orders, they did their full duty, and
all sought the post of greatest peril They
never faltered.
The 18th Army Corps in the Philippines
has made proud and exceptional record.
Privileged to be mustered out in April.
when the notifications of the treaty of
peace were exchanged. officers and men
did not claim the privilege-they declined
it They voluntarily remained in the SER
vice and declared their purpose to stay I'M
til their places could be filed by new levies
and longer if the government needed them.
Their service-and they understood twas
not to be in camp or garrison free from
danger, but the battle line, where ex-
posture and death confronted them and
where both have exacted their victims.
Insurgents or Sympathizers.
They did not stack arms. They did not
run away. They were not serving the in
surgents in the Philippines their sympa-
thizers at home They had no part or pa
thence with the men, few in number hap
PLY, who would have rejoined to see
them lay down their arms in the presence
OF an enemy whom they had Just emanci-
pated from Spanish rule and who should
have been our firmest friends.
They furnished an example of devotion
and sacrifice which will brighten the glori-
Gus record of American valor They. have
secured not alone the gratitude of the gov
eminent and the people, but for them
selves and their descendants an imperish-
able distinction. They may not fully ap-
preclate, and the country may not the
herolsm of their conduct and its important
support to the government l think l do
and so am here to express it.
The mighty army of volunteers and
regulars. numbering over 2JO,OOO which
last year responded to the call of the gov
eminent with an alacrity without prece-
dent or parallel, by the terms of their en-
Hstment were to be mustered out with all
of the regulars above $1,000, when peace
with Spain was effected. Peace brought
us the Philippines, by treaty cession from
Spain.
"Becamc Our Territory"
The Senate of the United States ratified
the treaty Every step taken was in ODE
dience to the requirements of the Constitu-
ten 1t became our territory and is ours.
"a much as the Louisiana purchase. or
Texas, or Alaska.
"A body of insurgents in no sense repre-
senting the sentiment of the people of the
islands disputed our lawful authority and
even before the ratification of the treaty
by the American Senate were attacking the
very forces who fought for and secured
their freedom.
This was the situation in April. 1899 the
date of the exchange of ratiications-wth
only 2'.pO regulars, subject to the I'M
questioned direction of the executive and
they for the most part on duty in Cuba and
Porto Rico or invaded at home after their
severe campaign in the tropics Even had
they been available 1t would have REQUIRED
months to transport them to the Philip
pines.
Practically new army had to be Gre
ated- These loyal volunteers in the Phil
tppines said We will stay until the gov
eminent can organize an army at home and
transport IT to the seat of hostilities.' They
did stay, cheerfully, uncomplainingly, pa
triotically. They suffered and sacrificed
they fought and fell. they drove back and
punished the rebels who resisted federal
authority. and who with force attacked
the sovereignty of the United States in its
newly acquired territory.
Might Have Been "HelpIess."
without them then and there we would
have been practically helpless on land our
flag would have had its first stain and the
American name its first ignomny. The
brilliant victories of the army and navy
in the bay and city of Manila would have
been won in vain. our obligations to civili-
cation would have remained temporarily
unperformed, chaos would have reigned
and whatever government there was would
have been by the will of one man and not
by the consent of the governed.
who refused to sound the retreat? Who
stood il the breach when others weaken
ed? Who resisted the suggestion of the
unpatriotic that they should come home?
Let me call the roll of the regiments and
battalions that deserve to be perpetuated