The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-07-30
EXAMINER PERSONALITIES.

THE Examiner early began bowling for the flag
to be mailed to the Philippines The means
by which bunting to be nailed to 1900
islands seven thousand miles away not discussed
al that tins=.
Spain had Job OF mailing hand there that lasted
more than 4 century and not finished when she
cave # I'D in 1903 The United States has since then
been trying to do the thing and the Examiner,
abandoning the discussion OF the general policy OF
such an enterprise the value of it to American tax
PAYERS if finished and its effect upon domestic
institutions has thrown itself into a snarng discus
sion OF personalities involved in the job. From the
beginning OF the Spanish until that paper,
with its characteristic talent for such discussion has
pursued personally everybody trusted with response
bily from the President to the generals in the field
Its motive OF course is to advertise itself No spirit
OF patriotism, no devotion to the principles OF the
Government enters into it. Last year entered upon
scheme to use the dead OF the Maine sandwich
for advertising purposes, and appointed agents and
collectors all over the United States to beg money
10 build monument to the dead who lost their lives
in that sinister catastrophe 1t succeeded in bunkoing
such men as Levi P. Morton and William C. Whitney
to act vice presidents OF its scheme When Hearst
had succeeded so far he tried to get the OF ex-
President Clevelands name and prestige, but Mr..
Cleveland responded coldly that he declined to permit
his sorrow for the men lost the Maine to be
diverted into advertising scheme for Mr.. Hearst
and his papers That killed the matter at once. 1t
brought other public to their and people
refused to subscribe to the fund which designed
to give notoriety to two yellow papers and their
owner.
Then followed the attack on General Shafter SOL
der whose courage had been proved in battle from
his youth up He planned the Santiago campaign
and it was carried speedily to honorable and sue
cessful end But he would not permit Mr.. Hearst to
use the victory advertise himself and since then
has been honored by the blackguard abuse OF that
persons newspapers.
Just now General Otis is the subject of personal
attack He had a soldiers task assigned to him in
Luzon. He has toiled it against natural obstacles
that dmly foreseen if at all and has obeyed the
orders OF his superiors which is soldiers first duty
A under cannot discuss the political policy
of his country which makes his presence and action in
the field necessary He must in the best way that pre-
sents itself. do his duty.
Whatever criticism may be due in the Philippines
none is known to Justly lie against Otis for his use of
tactics and his effort carry out instructions and
obey orders.
Until it is shown that his initiative has been used in
opposition his superiors and to their orders his
position and his conduct are unimpeachable
The policy that put him there and set his task for
him is Endorsed by the Examiner. II it have proved
impossible do than he has done to carry out
that policy the fault is not his but lies at the door of
papers ike the New York Journal and the Examiner,
which have done their best TO make such policy appear
proper and its execution feasible.
ImDeralists like Hearst cannot turn attention from
their own mistakes by making scapegoat of Otis
Whatever fault there is is home in the Philip
pines not with the officers and soldiers in hard
field executing orders with vaor and dash which
have added to the glory OF American arms.