The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-11
ANACONDA NEWS.
NATIVES ARE MONCRELS
Captain Hallahan Characterizes
Filipinos as Ungrateful.
THE EASTERN QUESTION
United States Would Be Foolish to Take
Any Part in the Controversy.
Soldiers Are Poorly
Clad.
THE EASTERN QUESTION

most interesting letter was re-
ceived day or two ago by Charles
MacCallum from Captain John Halla-
han of Company M, now at Manila. In
his letter, Captain Hallahan expresses
himself emphatically against the re-
tention of the Philippines by the United
States, and gives some excellent rea-
sons for his position. The letter is dated
Jan. 30, and of course was written be-
fore the fighting began. The letter is
as follows:
For many weeks past we have been
kept on the ragged edge with these mon
grel natives. We cannot leave our
quarters for any time day or night, on
their account, there are SO many alarms
and false reports.
I'VE often wish that we could get a
chance to fight them, and put an end to
this uncertainty. Their self conceit is
greatly increased by our slow and hes
itating policy. If at the end of the rainy
season we had, forced them to lay down
their arms and seized Aeuinaldo and
his cabinet, that would have settled the
business as far as the natives are con-
cerned
Now they are very fairly organized
and they are easily held in check by
their leaders.
''Of course the non-ratification of the
treaty might have hindered our author
tiles from stepping in forcibly, but
then they put their foot in it anyhow
by issuing the presidents proclama-
ton to class of people who respect
force only. The proclamation had
very bad effect.
Business is very unsettled here and
since the proclamation was issued.
I'VE take our turn on outpost duty in
the trenches, every sixth day. The in
surgent lines are only from 200 to 300
yards from ours and it takes much
care and caution to avoid conflict.
Il do not suppose they will ever give
us a chance to fight them in any way
except the Indian or bushwacking style.
Individually they are brave enough.
but l do not think that they would
stand very long if we attacked their
positions.
1t is commonly conceded that if we
fight them we will make as big kill
Ing as we can in the shortest possible
time. for some of the humaritarians
would probably call for a barley and
Try to put off the day of reckoning.
Il am not of bloodthirsty DISPOSE
tionS. but the people we have to deal
with are Of that kind. and there will
Americans here / believe until there is
some blood-letting, many Of the ma
tives seem to think we are afraid of
them.
sickness in the rainy and hot sea-
sons would be our worst enemy. 1t
would be very difficult too if we would
have to follow the natives into the in
terrier. There are no roads. only trails,
and one short railroad to the interior
''The government will have to build
railroads if we are gong to conquer the
Islands and keep them in subsection. 1t
costs the natives but very little to live
here. They don't have to work much,
so they take life easily.
@''Their leaders are queer medleys of
knavery. bombast and stiffness. They
are just cute enough to take advantage
of our dilatory tactics in dealing with
them, but in time they will dance to
different music if Uncle Sam takes pos
session.
"They have proved their unworthi-
ness of association with America by
their ingrattude for the favors already
rendered.
There is no question about the nat
ural wealth of the islands, but will it
be wise for us to force people to take
up our form of government when they
do not desire it?
Think too. of the thousands of
Americans who will die here during the
occupation by our troops. Such men
are the best physically, that ours or any
other country can give.
After a three years service here
what will the average soldier be worth
Then. the continuous threats of war
in the East will have an influence on
our finances and business generally.
American interests in China and the
Philippines will cost us thousands OF
lives and heavy taxes for preparation
and defense, and will be constant
source of uneasiness If our so called i'm
perialism takes up the reins.
"Shall we with our great cry of equal
rights and championship of the OPP
pressed for all, stand Colossus like on
the western and eastern hemisphere and
play the good Samaritan to people who
do not appreciate us or our institu-
tons? Shall we spend our money in
defending them and keeping them,
while hundreds of thousands of our
own people are in need of assistance to
pay off their mortgages and secure
homes for themselves and posterity?
I'VE can probably in time get the
money out of the islands which our
government has expended on them by
an arrangement with the native leaders
and so it is the opinion of fully ninety
per cent. of the officers and soldiers
here that it is unwise for us to hold the
islands. Shall those who are so far
away and know so comparatively little
of the real condition of things not take
this fact into consideration?
Personally, it does not matter much