The evening times., 1899-07-24
SOLDIERS Express p1sausr.
Nebraskans Declare That OTIS Meth
DDS VIII Prolong the War.

Nebrasknns Declare That OTIS Meth
ods VIII ProlonR the War.
Omaha, Neb., 24.-Among both officers
and privates one may find spirit of gen.
eral disgust at the manner in which the
campaign has been conducted. They say
that upon these lines the war may drag
along for ten years with nothing to show
for it at the end of that, time but a
stretch Of devastated fields, with the at
tacking troops more thoroughly knocked
out than the insurgents. They are tired of
being used for Filipino targets, and con-
denim as thoroughly as they dare the poll
cy of procrastination, which gives the reb-
els time to build other Notifications after
being successfully disIodged from former
strongholds.
These are the strong statements made in
message received here by a local paper
from Gordon Towle, a resident of this city,
and member of the First Nebraska regi-
, ment, who arrived at San Francisco Satur-
day from Manila. The young soldier, who
I, is well known here and regarded as trust
worthy, says further in his despatch, which
is dated yesterday:
! When left Manila the Nebraska regiment was
making active preparations for return home, al
though still held on duty at San Pedro Macati
and Tagug. There WAS general feeling among
the other volunteers the islands that the First
Nebraska deserved preference in being relieved.
It's long and uninterrupted campaign and sturdy
fighting have gained it universal admiration, but
little envy.
/ Bluff old General wheaton's remark, despiser
OF volunteers though he was, will not be for
gotten: II shall always be proud TO take off my
hat to the flag of this regiment" and General
Otis reply to the colonel's request that the men
for rasf
that regiment from the fighting line" Al
though subsequently reluctantly spared, the men
were hardly relieved from active duty until the
day of embarkatioD.
Nebraska has paid her share. How much, peo-
pie at home will know until their
rior back Many have given their
, lives; many escaped with lives which will bur-
den their days until the last hour comes and
not a but has sacrificed years that out
ragged nature Will deduct with compound inter
est from his declining age
The welcome orders in providential
son. The invalid report increased appalingly.
Doctors were in despair. Nearly every in
the regiment afflicted Malaria dysentery.
typhoid acute indigestion, dhohic itch, tropical
ulcers, plant poisoning added their burdens TO
spirits on the ebb and constitutions run down.
Doctors when they dared TO speak. charged
the deporable condition TO the weeks of cam
paigning, with no change of clothes, overwork,
bad food and no food. AT San Fernando guam
! titles of food were condemned. but when con-
demned the men compelled to go hungry.
Thirty-three of the boys asked for their dis
charge at Manila. One of these has expressed
his determination to re-enst, and is looked upon
mailman
grievance which the regiments holds against
the powers that be is the order that hurried five
companies, without much time to fill
/ teens. from Manila along the hot, muddy road to
San Pedro Macati, with no exigency OF occasion
10 demand it. On the Sunday when the Nebras-
kans reached Manila from San Fernando they
were completely exhausted from the march Of
the previous day.
They had left San Fernando Saturday morning
in marching order TO tramp through hot sun
fifteen miles TO the train Calumpit. The col
onel, being of lengthy limb, and having no load
10 carry. set breakneck pace. To the men il
was agony. Many, together with several Off
GERS, fell out by the way CanteeHs soon
emptied, with water nearer than Calumpt.
That night they slept in the dirt beside the
railroad track.
The next morning they reached Manila. almost
gone. but with the assurance that rest awaited
them. They were met, however, with the order
for five companies to march at once to san
Pedro, there 10 relieve the Californians.