Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-20
Special to the Inter Mountain.


San Francisco, Sept. 2O.-The remain
der of the committee to welcome the re-
turning soldiers arrived this morning
At this writing there are no signs Of the
transports. They are expected moment
arily or may be delayed on account Of
foul bottoms several days.
Captain Hill a Montana hero, conva-
lescent here, will return with his regi-
ment. He is an enthusiastic expansion
ist and favors extending American trade
and building up home industries.
He thinks the war will soon end and has
faith in the ability of Otis, who will be
superseded if incompetent. He says
much democratic misrepresentation of
the returning soldiers views is for parti-
san effect. The anti-expansionists are
largely responsible for the continua ton
of war. The rebels translate their
speeches as newspaper articles. Hill says
the Montana boys made magnificent
record. eKssler, Cook, Wynne and Wal
lace shared every danger with them.
Last night Rev. Father McKinnon,
chaplain of the First California regiment,
threw bomb into the anti-expansionist
camp by declaring in a public address,
MY opinion of Major General Otis is
that believe him to have done his full
duty and characterize all accusa tions
made against him as unfounded and un-
just. He has been wise, prudent leader,
doing his best under new and unusual
conditions with an army wholly made
quate to his needs. When will the war
end? 1 am happy to say to you from my
own personal observations that l believe
it is now virtually over. There may be
little guerilla warfare, strung along
from time to time, but I believe the
enemy to be substantially conquered"
The statements of Father McKinnon
did not improve the spirits of the eminent
anti-expansionists, who form large part
of the Montana committee with the gov
ernor at their head. Otis. however, is
not the issue. The prosecution of the
war and the retention of the islands is
the issue.
In a Chronicle interview this morning
Senator Carter said: IF we beat an in
glorious retreat from the Philippines we
will lose character and standing in every
way, not only in Europe but with all
Oriental nations, to such an extent that
this country will suffer for centuries
among the nations of the earth because
of the cowardly discreditable surrender
in the presence of the whole civilized and
semi civilized world
The democratic newspapers have re-
porters ready to interview the soldiers
an dinduce them, if possible, to say harsh
things about the government at Wash
ington and the conduct Of the war on
the islands. Such interviews. as usual.
will not reflect the honest sentiments Of
returning soldiers.
A meeting of all the Montana people in
San Francisco is called for tomorrow
morning to prepare programme for the
reception. The governor will preside.
The boats are now expected Friday morn
ing. An effort will be made to induce
General Shafter to detail a band and
military escort to accompany theS First
Montana from the transports to the
Presidio. Lunch and flowers viii be pro-
vided II funds can he raised, Other states
have so welcomed their soldiers
A dispatch says Lieutenant Colonel
Wallace has been granted thirty days
leave of absence. and viii leave Manila
next week.
This is cold town for anti-expansion-
lists.