The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-18
"oNE HUNDRED THOUSAND STRONG.

THE CALL, while regretting what is demon
strated to have been the unnecessary outbreak
OF hostities between our troops and the Fill
pinos at Manila has recognized the necessity OF de-
fensive measures and has done what it could to in
duce the country to provide such measures in the
ample form required by the situation.
1t is not our fault that those who should have
counted the cost of American policy toward the
Fiipinos failed to do so. That policy proceeded
rapidly from neglect to evaporation, and the conse-
quences are upon us.
General Lawton has made fruitless expedition
exhaustive OF military energy and resources to the
south OF Manila, protected by gunboats the La
guna de Bal, and has been compelled to retire and
surrender to the natives the country he conquested
He found the same problem that is worrying the
military wits of Otis and Macarthur, in the swarm
ing numbers of the Filipinos and their matchess
pacity for the quick and covert movements of guer-
ra warfare 1t is perfectly plain any who has
followed military events in Luzon since the 4th OF
February that no more permanent results have been
accomplished there than may be attained by drawing
your hand through water. No furrow is left in the
fluid which closes in as the obstruction passes SO
the of natives close in behind regiments
as they march and ready to ambush and fight
them they countermarch With the merciless
torch have planted desolation where stood the
peaceful homes OF those people, but they have seemed
to spring out of the ashes OF their huts gun hand
ready to fight again.
Lawton gave it up, and returning to Manila said:
with the forces l have l could go through the
whole island but if government is to be established
it will be necessary to garrison all the towns. 1t
would take 100000 to pacify the islands. l
gret the necessity of abandoning the captured
rtory"
Long ago we warned the mperialists that, having
reused Filipino resentment by indiscrminate
slaughter, there would be safety in the islands out
side OF the garrison posts and that any relaxation
OF military vigilance would be followed by uprisings
and massacres. We have reused a native hatred
bitter than that against SPAIN for she never prom
ised independence justified hope of sef-govern-
ment. We did, and have followed bitter disappoint-
ment with slaughter in two months OF more ghasty
proportions than Spain guilty OF in two cen
turtles.
1t is worth while to follow Lawton's frank regret
at the necessity of abandoning the territory he had
captured by reading the evident afterthought of the
War Department at Washington. The acting adj
jutant general is quoted as saying that Lawtons ex-
petition accomplished its purpose which was to dis
tribute dodgers" which the proclamation of the
American Commissioners printed. The depart
ment adds: considerable difficulty has been ex-
perienced by the commission in acquainting the
tives OF the kindly intentions of this Government"
Therefore Lawton was sent with gunboats and regi-
ments Smelling and shooting they went, ito spread
broadcast the recent proclamation of the Philippine
Commission, and before his departure he was given
careful instructions as to the line of conduct he
should pursue, and he has evidently carried them
out in a satisfactory manner" Then why does Law
ton regret the necessity of abandoning the captured
territory, if he not sent out to capture it, but
merely bill-stcker?
This evident aterthought of the War Department
will deceive nobody. The adventure in the Philip
pines has developed wretched situation The equal
ling effects of disease and the climate, upon which
The Call has ceaselessly insisted have been recI
oned with by Government The list OF dead wound
ed and sick American soldiers in that tropical climate
lengthens day by day. They martyrs to funda-
mental error committed at home, to the sap-pated
enthusiasm of Imperialism and the misleading OF pull
pit, press and politicians. With the history of the
South Sea bubble and Laws Mississippi scheme be-
fore we have paid $2o,oooooo for the same old
gold brick, and the 100000 required to hold it
will cost us $2oo,ooo,ooo year
If things continue they are tending now if is the
plain duty of the President to call Congress together
and consult the representatives of the people The
costly measures in action are not within the
executive scope. The with Spain is officially
finished; it began by the Congressional declaration
OF war. But without any such declaration we are in
that is costing ten times as much in lives and
money. 1t cannot go much longer without seek
ing council with the people
The statement from Washington that General
Lawtons expedition from Manila was designed not
to subdue the Fiipinos but "to soread broadcast