Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1899-11-03
THE HARD. COLD FACTS.
Mekiniey's Statement. are at n varI.
nneo with Matters ofReeord.

"neo with Matters OF Reeord.
In his speeches in defense OF the
Philippine war Mr.. Mckinley is Civ.
ing point to the cynical observation
that History is fiction agreed upon
1t Is not a pleasant duty to correct
misstatcments Of facts made by the
President, but when a President
takes the stump. he cannot object to
the public criticism upon which the
people rely to separate truth from er.
ror.
In his speech at Fargo, y. L., Mr..
Mckinley said:
I'VE did not go to war until every
effort at peace was exhausted
III true. this statement would justi.
~ the war. Unfortunately it is not
true. Did the President offer to the
Filipinos, our accepted allies at Ma.
Mia, the terms and conditions which
Congress imposed upon the United
States and held ont to the Cubans
when it set about freeing Cuba? Did
he assure the Filipinns
That the United States hereby
d~isclainls any disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty.iuri dictlon or
control over said island. except for
the p]acitication thereof. and asserts
Its determination when that is con-
pleted TO leave tie government and
control Of the island to its people
Does anybody doubt that il Mr..
Mckinley had given this assurance
tc the Filirinos after the capture OF
Manila there would have been no war?
Was not this an effort for pence
which the President WIS in duty
bound To make:
Ii he should give this assurance
now is there any cason to dnub: that
it wouli end the war? The Presi.
dent himself admits that the leader
of the insurccnt forces says to the
American government: -You can have
peace il You will give us indepcn-
dence.- Would not such a termina-
ton Of the trouble he more honor
able and just,more in accordance with
American principles than to send an
ARMY at $1,000 men to s~ubiugate "A
people who after all are only fighting
for their freedom as Il forefathers
did?
The cold truth is that. alike III his
proclamation Of December ~ and lie
subsequent proclamation of his COM
missioncrs. the President demanded
the unconditional surrender and sub
mission Of the Fiiipinos to the soy
crcignty- Of the United States. New
er one effort has hc made for pence
by offering them autonomy under
a protcctorato.
But Mr.. Mckinley said further ut
The insurgcnt leader made an at
tack upon IL men and then our boys
let loose
1t this were true it would justify
shooting back. No American worthy
the name would suggest-whatev-
er his views Of the main question
TINT orr soldiers should not repel an
attack. But the official record con-
,radicts the President. Ills own gen.
eral-the II and only Otis-in his
report OF the opening OF hostilities
~Fcb. !, 1899. Firing upon the FL
pinos and killing unc Of them By the
Americans, leading them to return
fire. The chef insurgent leaders
did not wish 10 open hostiIities ut
time
Mr.. Mckinley further says:
ave never gave a bride for peace
IN all our history and we never will"
Again, this womld be important II
true. But the Presidents peace
commissioner. Mr.. Schurman, reports
he made II bargain Of treaty with
The Sultan Of Sulu. agreeing for the
sake Of peace and for the privilege OF
lying our flag Mt the seaport to pny
he Sultan $50 Il month and to nine
his chiefs 1910 a month in addition
q recognizing slavery and poIygamy
ID his domains MS Established instit.
ItioEs.' Was not this a bride for
'eace n a very rcprchensible and
nasty bride?
Is 1t not incumbent upon a Prcsi. |
lent OF the United States, when be
beads n band OF political stump
speakers.to he particularly and scrup.
lonsly exact in his staicmcnts?-N.
Y. World.
The sheep Situation.
Some OF the more enthusiastic a-n
- 4 49,. II III