Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-08
gnsntg Vfas uua Frids Ssptsusr

ming 4tntrs- RrpnhIt rast
operations that have been conducted
there since the outbreak Of the trouble
with the Filipinos. Mr.. Barrett says:
Without any. intention of entering
into discussion of Maj. Gen. Otis abil-
tiles as commander in chief-with
which my purposes and this article are
in no way connected-but with the sim
pie desire to assist the readers of the
Review in reaching clearer under
standing of the situation in the Philip
pines, will humbly submit a few gen
eral considerations in conclusion.
First. We are in the Philippines as a
result of meeting imperious and una
svotdable moral responsibilities to our
selves, to the natives, and to the world
resulting from the war with Spain, and
we can not retreat from them without
shame, dishonor and disgrace to US as
great nation and as a Christian, civil
izing people-without reference to ma
terial opportunities in the Pacific and
the impending possibility that If we
shirk our responsibilities we will forsake
our position as permanent first-class
power in the Pacific and become trailing
along behind Great Britain, Russia. Ja-
pan and Germany. There never was a
time since May 1, 1898, when our naval
or military forces could have aban-
doned Manila, and Admiral Dewey will
confirm this when he returns.
Second. The immediate occasion of
the present conflict can be logically at
tributed to the Filipinos and not to our
selves, as the first part of this article
witnesses. The fighting was begun and
has been carried on under the most adj
verse conditions of season and climate
which characterize tropical countries.
The outbreak came at the end of the
cool season and at the beginning of the
excessively hot period. When this hot
season was over it was Immediately fol-
lowed by the rainy months, which are
still running on and will not end until
November. There has been, therefore,
the greatest heat of the sun overhead
and the greatest discomfort under foot
in mud and water during all the cam
paigning.
Third. Despite these conditions the
American forces have not met with a
single decisive reverse from the begin
ming of the campaign up to the present
writing, and have everywhere and in all
expeditions driven the natives before
them at will. There may be a grave
question as to whether these movements
have all been wise and necessary, and
the campaign has at times confessedly
lacked apparent plan and system, but
there has been no defeat to mar the
wonderful record. The Filipino army
pushed from pillar to post" has suf-
fered enormous losses, is deprived of
sources of fresh ammunition and sup
plies from the outside world, is demor-
allied from an organized army into re-
treating isolated bands, is forced to
brutal tactics to keep the people in line
and the leaders from deserving to the
Americans, depending on the Hong
Kong junta to manufacture alleged re-
ports from Aguinaldo favorable to the
much believed in America-and can not
possibly hold out as an integral force
after the rains are over.
Fourth. Our forces now hold all the
most important points in the Philip
pines. Area does not decide the ques-
ton of present strength and influence
The best and most important section of
Luzon is rapidly coming under our con-
troll. Already our sway, extended UNI
der adverse conditions. reaches from
linus in the south to Angeles in the
north, distance of nearly seventy-fiv
miles. and from Manila southeast to
Calamba. on Laguna de Bay, about
twenty-five miles, the very heart of the
island. We not only have Manilafi but
Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod. Zamboanga, and
Jolo, the commercial and strategical
points of the islands.
Fifth. Therefore it can be reasonably
argued that. when the dry season
comes, accompanied by the coolest
weather, two most favorable conditions
for campaigning-when men can sleep
on the ground without cover, when they
can march across country anywhere
and the ccmEaissariat can follow, and
when the nights. mornings and eve
nings are always cool and even the sun
in the middle of the day loses much of
its force-the army will prosecute a
conclusive campaign.
with the sincere determination on
the part of the president to carry the
war to an early and successful CON
clusion. with the vigorous. masterful
influence of Secretary Root supporting
him and with popular sentiment ire
spective of party, growing in favor of
a policy that will not only end the wal
through the employment of all needed
forces, but install government,
throughout the islands which will bring
permanent peace. there IS no strong
reason why. within another half year
the insurrection in the Philippines
should not be broken, the Filipino rev.
dictionary government a thing of the
past. and peace, order and good gov
eminent established, eventually leading
to as large a degree of autonomy as the
Filipinos prove themselves able to I'M
dertake."
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.
The Carroll Herald observes that
this senatorial campaign has had the
&c ~ 1.F M, rap,,bl;cop ~ :,