The San Francisco call., 1899-06-21
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.

/ he unQeCldTeQ war IN the IHlllpplSS lids HOW
been nearly twice long as the time that
passed between our utmatum to Spain and the
call OF Cambon in behalf Of the Spanish Government
to ask for peace parley. The Fiipinos, without Ell
fectve artillery and lacking military formation, have
proved their touch and common feeling with all peo-
pie who are fighting for the soil they were born on
and for independence and self government against an
invading host The Greeks did it at Marathon, the
Romans at Metaurus the Germans in Ieutoburgher
Valid the Belgians at the battle OF the Golden Spur.
We did it through the eight years OF our Revolution,
and when British army invaded our country IN the
1872 and after the battle OF Bladensburg put
the torch Washington City, burned the Capitol and
White House and put the Government to flight, a
thorn was planted in the American heart that ranked
until now that British lattery has drawn it.
In estimating the difficulties that our brave troops
have faced in that wet and poisonous archipelago it
must not be forgotten that superior arms, aim
ard formations great guns and the support OF
warshps that with one broadside destroy town
and leave its men, women and children heaped in a
OF torn flesh TO spume in the sun, all have been
nearly equaized by the horrible climate the vertical
sun, the noxious evaporation
To all these the natives are as accustomed as toad
to the vapors OF fen, therefore, though the sym
pahy OF the nations is forbidden them and the Gov
ernments that have cursed the world with and
quest and wetted it with the OF the weak and the
blood of the brave leading in their footsteps
and out of the ways OF fathers, nature fights
ally OF the Filpno With less resources and not
a ship they have proved themselves far superior to
the Spaniards fighters and to overcome them is an
achievement that will merit brighter laurels and
greater honors than due the soldiers who touched
the tottering power OF Spain and saw it fall.
The French and English, especially the latter, in
sructed our Government that the Filpinos were not
TO be treated human beings but that they must be
pursued like beasts OF prey until the remnant that
survived would submit, abandon dream OF freedom,
to aspire to independence, and bend the neck
to whatever yoke we fashion
The advice has been followed and that has been
followed by consequences that might have been ex-
pected. Our inadequate force has destroyed the
country by raidng the natives have fought as they
retreated and their hosts have closed in behind our
advancing columns, as water closes after the hand
that is drawn through it The women and old men
have come out OF the Jungle and sat in the ashes OF
their poor huts and have felt Just Greek Persian,
Roman German and American have felt in the pres
OF the invader.
Meantime General Otis has been dealing crush
ing blows" He has ended the rebellion" repeat
edly There has been frequent JOY in the Cabinet that
the business was over and could settle down to
the profits of conquest and teach the natives that it
their Christian duty to love their enemies and wait
for them to fall upon necks But the crushing
blows" do crush We have probably killed thou
sands OF these people who never heard of us until
invaded their country with the flag OF the free There
is much mourning in American homes. The first
born OF many house has died under blistering,
tropical sum- hero because his country ordered it
Our troops have pushed the unavailing butchery Of
war with accomplishing endurance and dash. Yet
and his paddy field destroyed turks in the jungle and
fights.
1t is time to do one thing or the other Either send
100000 men at, once and bosom the islands bare OF
human life, do what easy five months ago
treat them human beings, the reiteraton Of
unconditional surrender people who know that
already disar1nng Cuba, and see whether the
orders have taken from Great Britain to never
treat the Filipnos human correct or not. The
latter course will not be pursued Then the former
must be. The troops must be raised and sent If they
will not volunteer they must be conscripted The
ranks must be filled by force if need be, and we must
push our conquest all conquerors have to. 1t IS
evident that must reduce the archipelago to com
plete desoation, and leave only the inferior manhood
living that is found among the tribes that are too
cowardly to fight
The Chicago Journal and other leading Republican
papers join The Call in this demand as supporters OF
the administration. AS Otis must be fatgued with
punching the bag let him be rested and send another
commander in chief. War is hell We have made
hell in the Philippines; let get through with it as
soon as possible