Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-07
MIR. MK1NLEY'S HUMANITY AND
BENEVOLENCE.


With the usual Indifference of i'm
perialism to the fate of its victims.
whether these be of it's own people, or
of others, the Washington adminlstra-
ton is stationing large bodies of
American troops in Cuba, under the
pleas of order and protection, without
taking any steps to substitute native
and acclimated soldiers for them, or to
establish a Cuban autonomy tina,
would enable us to evacuate the is
land, in accordance with our repeated
promises. Already the United States
soldiers are dying rapidly from the eff
fects CT the climate, and in the cities
from infected and unsanitary condl-
lions due to accumulated filth through
period of long disorder.
OF the filthy condition of the Gu
ban towns and cities, worse than that
of Ayers camps in this country, we
hive had full information for many
months;-especially as to the horrible
pool of foulness in which Habana is
STEPPED to the eyes. But, although. we
are crowding Habana by ordering
troops there, we are paying no more
attention to sanitation in that city that
Alger did to the cleanliness of our
American camps. Though we have had
months of time and opportunity to i'm
prove this state of things in Habana,
we have done nothing to that end, but
have even helped to make them worse
from day to day by our occupation.
From all reliable accounts it is diff
cult to understand how persons, with
the usual complement of senses, can
breathe the maloderous air, so infested
with filth and so infected with disease
that it might be carted out in almost
solid masses. But who cares? Alger
works the war department against the
army, and he who in war neglected our
sick and wounded soldiers in unfit hos
pitfalls. cannot be expected to interest
himself in the health of Habana, I'M
less a fat contract can be got out the
matter for some agent. or other con-
tractor, who will go snacks."
1t Is most discreditable and crimi-
nal situation, for which Mr. Mckinley
himself is chiefly and directly RESPONSE
BILE; and to his account will be charged
the many lives sacrificed and constitu-
tions wrecked by his iniquitous neglect
and allowance. Even the New York
Times, in considering this matter. can
not refrain from reminding the Pres
ident of his completely in this Algerism
of disease and death; and says:
Any American soldier who dies in
Iiabana of preventable filth disease
VIII die sacrifice to official incom-
potency and negligence. 1t is proper to
Tx beforehand the responsibility for a
massacre which now seems to be i'm
mlnent. Aigerism has not yet had its
perfect Work. our humane and be-
neNolcnt President. who has thus far
sustained In Office the personification
of small politics in the management of
the army, cannot avoid his own ulti-
mate responsibility for what is already
happening and for the worse things
that our administration of affairs is in.
wiling to happen in Habana.
Yes: "our humane and benevolent
President" cannot play 1.-THE wicked
partner racket on the people next
year nor on history and posterity; and
he will be taught that he is not only
ic@lpil9IDie LOT All the evils or AlSer-
ism, but, worst of all, for Alger him
self, plague ana pest that no thu
name and benevolent" a President
would have permitted for a day to dis
grace his cabinet, dishonor the country
and bring 50 much misery and death
where these should have been avcrted.
Similar conditions exist at Manila
and elsewhere in the Philippines. where
climate and unsanitary circumstances
VIII reinforce war to destroy our
brave boys by thousands: precious lives
thrown away to indulge the vain within
of Imperialism and the brute force of
armed power, without the slightest ne
cessity. The American people will
surely lack gail TO make wrong, injury
and oppression bitter If they do not
eagerly seize the opportunity in No
vembcr, 1900. to requite such humanity
and benevolence.
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limitations, counterfeits, frauds