The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-08-10
MAI. WEBSTER HERE
SOLDIER JUST FROM THE PHILIP
PINES VISITS IN KENOSHA.
AMERICANS MUST WIN IN TIME
such Is the Opinion of the Major, who Re-
turns Drowned by the Tropical
sun and Broken in
Health.

Kenosha people we're honored today
by a visit from Major George O.
Webster, of the 4th United States In
fantry, who has just returned from
Manila on the hospital transport
(" Indiana" Major Webster, broken in
health and Drowned by his service
under the tropical sun of the far East,
has returned to the lake shore to
recuperate his health and to visit his
two little daughters, who are spending
the time at Kemper Hall. His appear
ance in Kenosha today caused a great
deal of excitement among the military
of the town and there we're many who
were proud to grasp the hand of one of
the brave officers who had defended the
flag in the far East He was seen by
representative of this paper shortly
after he arrived in the city and con-
sented to talk about the work of the
army in the Philippines. After the
Major had followed the fortunes of war
with his regiment in Cuba he was sent
to the Philippines, and he went to Ma
Mia during the month of January of
this year. Since he landed with his
troops fresh from their conquests in
Cuba he has seen great deal of fight
ing in the Islands and he is able to tell
the entire story of the work of the
soldiers. In speaking of the success OF
the Americans he said that there was
no doubt but that the American army
would finally subdue the Filipinos,
but it would require years. He said
that it was his opinion that the war
would be sooner ended by an agree
ment between the leaders of the in
surgents and the American government
than by war on the field of battle. The
Filipinos are mere children and follow
their leaders without question or
policy. AS soon as the Americans kill
one of the dusky warriors another
steps into his place and thus the war
may be continued indefinitely. III
speaking of the number of soldiers
needed in the Philippines Major
Webster said:
My experience was confined to the
inside lines. Therefore I do'not know
how many more soldiers will be re-
quired to defeat the Filipinos. Gen.
Lawton, however, has been on the out
side lines, and he says 1000 more
troops are necessary. | have my opln-
ion of the situation, but it would not
do at this time for me to make state
ments which would be criticised all
through the country. The Filipinos
are brave people. They have plenty
of men, but few guns. In their sets of
tours there are often but one or two
men armed with Mausers. The others
make what they evidently consider
deceptive showing with wooden guns
such as boys play with. However,
when a Filipino is killed his gun is
Immediately taken by another, and the
imitation piece is cast aside. have
seen hundreds of these wooden guns in
the field"
Major Webster said that the army
was in splendid condition and that they
had retired to the cities to spend the
rainy season. He said the regulars
were in splendid spirits and with the
true instincts of the soldier they made
no complaint to the hardships which
they are forced to bear. In regard to
the volunteers he said that they were
anxious to be mustered out as they
seemed to think that they had served
the full time that they enlisted for
Numbers of these are being sent home
daily and the officials are anxious to
have the army in the east, which shall
consist entirely of regulars. In speak
ing of the Philippines as residence
for the white man, he said:
The Philippines are no place for a
white man. The sun is scorching. l
have seen an average of sixty men
day crop out of the ranks suffering
from the heat. The Filipinos are a
gentle race of people. They look like
mere boys, so frail and delicate. To
me they resemble more the Japanese
than any other race. never saw an
old Hooking Filipino. I don't think
they grow old. Much of the country
around ManilaEis devastated by fire..
n n DickaraOn ond wife were Chi.