The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-04

of enlightenment and progress to them.
Our conflict is only with the single
tribe of Tagals, which, because of the
announcement from some of our own
people and because of misunderstand-
ing of the real American purpose, has
broken out in insurrection. That con-
ilict has unhappily continued beyond
the hope and perhaps beyond the ex-
pectation of the country. 1t is no fault
of the government. 1t is no fault of
the soldiers. Every battle has been
victory. The American arms have new
er once been defeated or repulsed No
soldiers ever fought more dauntlessly
under greater hardships than the he
roes who have borne our flag through
the jungles of Luzon, and the names of
Otis and Macarthur and Lawton and
Funston, with their gallant comrades,
will ever be inscribed in the brightest
records of American Valor. There has
been no lack of vigorous leadership
and no lack of faithful and arduous
service in the ranks. The only trouble
has been our numbers have not been
great enough to overwhelm the insur-
gents and crush the rebellion. Where
is the fault, if fault there be? What
is the feeling of the public within the
past weeks? The American people
have not changed their spirit or pur-
pose, they accepted the responsibilities
war of last year and they accept them
now. They have no thought of shrink
ing from the obligations which have
fallen upon them. Instead of abandon
ing this work they are the more deter
mined to proceed with 1t and their
feeling Is not one of hesitation and
doubt, but rather one of Impotence to
accomplish Immediately conclusive re-
suits. Hence comes the conclusion that
the president shall call out the full
maximum of volunteers, with the hope
of crushing the revolt in a short and
decisive campaign. This Is a natural
impulse and it deserves to be treated
in frank and candid manner. What
then was the situation? | am not here
to criticse. Each branch of the gov
eminent is responsible for it's own ac-
ton. But it is only fair and Just to
state facts and to show precisely
but it is only fair and just to state
facts and to show precisely what the
president had to meet. Not only did
the opposition by delay in the ratifica-
ton of the treaty encourage the insur-
rection, but the emasculated army bill
crippled the power of suppressing it.
The president was compelled at the
same time to face the revolt and face
practical reconstruction of the army.
Under the statute when the treaty or
peace with Spain was ratified not only
charged but every regular above 2I,5oO
was required to be mustered out. The
president then was confronted in the
midst of instruction with the problem
of relieving a large part of the force IN
the Philippines and of being compelled
to substitute new levies. He stood face
to face with the difficulty, in the pres
| ence of a force already too small, of
| withdrawing more than 10000 trained
and disciplined men in the fighting line
while the campaign was at its height,
| and of filing their places with new
| forces.
| Had the volunteers exercised their
right of immediate discharge our army
would have been seriously crippled and
| disastrous results might have followed.
| But to their undying honor be it said
| they made answer which reflects i'm
| mortal glory upon the American G,ti-
| zen and the American soldier They
| said: We are entitled to be discharged
| We want to return to our homes and
| families; but nevertheless we will stay
here and fight on and we will not leave
| our posts until the government is ready
| to put others in our places
| Tt was magnificent exhibition of
| the devotion and patriotism of true
| Americans. Nebraska holds a high
| place on that illustrious roll of honor.
| Two days ago the Nebraska regiment,
| which has been at the front and shared
| in the triumphs and glories of the cam
| paigns, sailed from Manila for home.
| In a few weeks they will be here to re-
| ceive your welcome and to wear the
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