The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1899-10-05
Washington Letter.

That the recent attempts to Great,
the impression that American force,
in the Philippines had wantonly desc
Grated Catholic churches, are not en-
dorsed by the responsible auth critic,
of the church, is made plain by Mgr
Martinelli, the apostolic delegate, who
says: "There can be no Legitimate
complaint over the occupation Of
churches by troops in the time OF
war. According to the canons Of the
church, we do not hold that such
quartering Of troops forms what we
call desecration of holy places. On
the contrary, the Catholic church has
acknowledged in all ages that the
proper authorities in time of war
have an absolute right to use eccles-
iastical places for military use." In
his reply to the telegram of inquiry
which President Mckinley directed
to be sent, Gen. Otis says that alto
gethcr 16 churches have been occu-
pied by the American troops. In
four, the occupation was only partial,
aud religious exercises have not been
interfered with. Three convents have
been occupied, all of which aud ten
of the sixteen churches, were pre-
viously occupied by the insurgents
for military purposes.
The President and tho Cabinet,
after thoroughly considering the in
formation supplied by Gen. Otis re-
lative to his recent order excluding
Chinese from the Philippines, have
decided to reopen the closed door.
This is primarily upon the ground
that the Chinese exclusion law is not
operative in the Philippines, it being
held by the Administration that no
United States statutes are in force in
those islands, until extended over
that territory by Congressional
action The military necessity is not
considered sufficient to justify the
hardship that would be caused to a
large number of innocent persons. A
large portion of the commercial busi-
ness of Manila is conducted by Chi
nese, and to cut them off from free
is believed both un-
wise and unnecessary, and would
lead to friction with China without
any essential gain.- 1t is not believed
that there is any danger of this con-
cession resulting in Chinese immigra-
tion to the United States through the
the ports at both ends
being in our hands.
The War Department is consider
ing plan to create an army division
in the Philippines, to be divided into
four departments on basis similar
to that in Cuba. The Philippines
have hitherto been officially known
as the Department of the Pacific. 1t
is likely that one of the proposed new
will consist of Gen. Nc
Arthur's command north of Manila,
will be Gen. Lawton's COM
mand south of that CITY, and the third
will be q new command to operate
from Lingayen or Dagupen. at the
terminus of the railroad
from Manila. The fourth depart
ment will probably consist of the
troops in the islands south Of Luzon,
which includes the commands now at
Iloilo, Cebu and other points. Sec
retary Roots plan is to give each de-
partment commander all the troops
that can be successfully operated, and
insure sufficient garrisons for all
points captured. Protection to the
peaceful inhabitants is one of the
chief objects, as it is believed that a
large number arc only supporting
the insurrection through fear.
Chairman Dick of the Republican
State Committee of Ohio gave the
President some very encouraging
news when here q few days ago.
Great interest has been manifested in
the letter issued by Secretary of
State Hay denying the Democratic
canard about q secret agreement be-
tween the. United States and Great
Britain. The first addition of 1OO,-
300 copies has already been exhaust
ed, and a second edition is being
printed. The Republican campaign
opened at Akron last Saturday, with
\ large number of prominent speak
srs from outside the state. including
Governor Roosevelt of New York.
Though Governor Bushnell and
Senator Foraker were detained by
previous engagements, the latter be-
gins making speeches for the ticket
When President Mckinley
crosses the state on his western trip
N October, he will not make any for