Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-13
THE EDWARD ATKINSON CASE.

Mr.. Edward Atkinson denies that he
U. S. mails TO Manila. Mr.. Atkinson
no doubt thinks he is telling the truth,
and he may be so doing. Even the truth
becomes seditious at certain times, I'M
der some circumstances; and as matter
out of place becomes dirt and filth, so
truth and wisdom, out of place, may
be as foul and improper as lying and
as mad as lunacy. Without splitting
hairs or chopping logic with Mr.. At
kinson, let him speak for himself:
For the. purpose OF ascertaining
whether or not the United States mails
were or were not open to the citizens
OF the United States residing in Manila.
i addressed on April % letter 10 the
Secretary OF War in the following
terms:
." i desire to send n large number of
the inclosed pamphlets (naming thu
pamphlets and inclosing copies of
them) to the officers and privates in
the Philippine islands. l. therefore, de-
sire to know whether or not these dec
uments can be sent directly through the
War Department or may be forwarded
in due course by mail. \ list OF regi-
ments is desired. and if there are print
ed lists of officers available they would
serve me a very useful purpose
Il received no reply TO this letter.
con April "a and % | put into the
United States mail as n test eight
copies. one OF each Of these two pam
phlets, addressed TO the following per-
sUrrs. zsdrr1iT7rf tiVOTEe Dewey, T'Tcsi-
dent Schurman. Professor Worcester
Gen. ii. G.. Otis. General Lawton, Cen
eral Miller and j. T.. Bass. correspond
ON nf \Naal-lu
i now understand that the above gem
tlemen are not 10 be allowed by the
cabinet of the United States to read
these documents even il they cared to
do so.
"I Informed the Anti-Imperialist Lea
que OF Boston. of which I was an Of
Ger. of the above facts. Without con-
sultation with me, and moved by what
motive is now immaterial. they address,
ed n letter disclaiminS any responsible
ity for any action that | might take.
which letter was made public
Since then / have been subjected to
the grossest misrepresentation both OF
my motives and my actions in GER
tain portion of the press of the coun-
try. This has eliminated in the recent
action Of the cabinet of the United
States upon the wisdom of which the
public will pass judgment
at is said that the circulation Of
these pamphlets in the United States
will be permitted. ! shall cOntinne to
use the United states mail for their
transmission in this country. dccmnS
my action no, matter OF permission.
but matter OF right
The difficulty with Mr.. Atkinson IS a
deficiency in judgment, and this he
displayed grossly in this matter. both in
what he did do. and in VIVA; he re-
quested to be allowed to do. He argues
we'll and wisely as 10 the whole Phil
ippine episode, but ne evrs eGreg iously
in seeking to he heard Al the seat Of
war and eX-parte. as it were. If not on
the sly. 1t is said. however, by those
alleged to know him WELL that Mr..
Atkinson is exceedingly happy ut the
stir ne has made by Attempting to ar
que the war with our soldiers on the
field. II not also to cheer Aguinaldo's
forces. IT is great pity that a good
cause should be sadly crippled ana dis
credited by MIR. Aikinson's impru-
dences. No doubt Mr.. Atkinson is fully
within his rights on some points, as
with respect TO his distributing his
pamphlets or articles in the l.. s. mails
at home. In which ii is to our mind an
insalent usurpation or assumption on