Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-28
TUESDAY......"... MARCH %, 1899
OUR PHILIPPINE WAR.

Continued fighting in the Philippines.
More slaughter Of rebels" at the cost of
valuable American lives and OF money
wrung from the taxpayers Of this coun-
Try. Villages burned by both our troops
and the natives. a brilliant victory for
our soldiers.
With slight variations, and coupled
with assurances that on the morrow we
would smash Aguinaldo. this has been
the news from day 10 day from Manila
for over a week.
Wen. several days ago we did initiate
our programme for smashing Aguinaldo.
The heraIded forward movement was
commenced. and has been steadily press
ed But when will the curtain fall upon
the last number of this programme Of
strife suffering. havoc. and death, 10 rise
again on the scene of bliss and peaceful
ness which but a short time ago the Fill
pinophiles assured as would result from
the annexation Of the islands? Heaven
only knows.
AS is well known. we utterly reprobate
the administrations Philippine policy.
We regard 1t as absolutely indefensible.
ii violates the spirit of the Cuban reso-
lutions. 1t is a menace TO the integrity
OF our most cherished institutions. and
involves reputation of the doctrines
laid down by the fathers of the republic,
and iterated and reiterated by the states
men Of nearly three generations sue
ceeding them. II represents, to use Presi-
dent McKinleys own words, criminal
aggression" Still. as is also well known,
we sympathize with our soldiers Mr. Nc
Kinley has sent TO the Philippines and
recognize that since the conditions are
what they are. there must be but one
conclusion OF the matter The prestige
OF American arms must be maintained.
AS long as the natives show a disposition
10 keep up the struggle we must fight,
and We must fight to win. Moreover. we
recognize that our troops have displayed
fighting qualities around Manila of which
all Americans should be proud. AS SOL
ders they have reflected credit upon
themselves and the title Of American
soldier.
But Notwithstanding the gallantry,
dash. and endurance of our troops
and the assertions that our plan
fully" the outlook Is that our
Philippine operations are going to be
open TO the same criticism we were so
fond Of dwelling at the Spanish opera
tons in Cuba. one of our pet preteXts
for interfering in Cuba was that Spain
repeatedly failed TO keep her promise to
bring the Cuban rebellion TO a close. and
thus stop the unusual horrors incident TO
a protracted conflict. The reason Spain
did not bring the Cuban rebellion to a
close was because she couldn't. Her only
hope was IN practically eXtermnating
Tho guerilla bands in Cuba, and her regu-
lar troops were at every disadvantage in
pursuing these. Assuming that Agui-
naldo's organized force will be speedily
smashed, 1t will remain In his power or
the power OF other 'rebel' leaders, to
confront us with the same conditions
that confronted the Spanards in Cuba.
Tkereforx, we say that, Notwithstanding
the roseste and sanguine kilograms that
are sent from Manila. and the confidence
as TO the situation expressed at Washing
ton. the man IS wildly optimistic who
expects .Ao benevolent assimilation" of
Fflipinos 20 become an accomplished fact.
until thousands of American lives have
been sacrificed on the altar of William
McKinley's ambition. and that altar reeks
with the sweat of the American toilers.
from whom will DO wrung the money TO
cay for Imperialism.