Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-22
Special to the Inter Mountain,

Special to the Inter Mountain.
San Francisco, Sept pat 10 o'clock
this morning the entire Montana party,
including the governor and staff, Sem
ator Carter and press representatives,
accepted the hospitality of Congressman
Kahn for an excursion around the bay.
Within two hours the Zealandia was
sighted. The excursion party steamed at
once for the incoming transport.
Reporters for anti-expansion papers
will seek interviews with privates declar-
ing the army officers incompetent, the
war failure and the Philippine islands
not worth dollar a dozen. On some
scores there may be complaints with good
reason, but the great majority of SOL
diers will refrain from talking till mus
tered out Then the truth will be known
In any event, personal criticism will not
affect the great principle of the extension
of American trade and influence.
Reports of i'll feeling among the return
ing heroes are probably grossly exagger-
ated for political effect in Montana and
elsewhere.
The Valencia is reported to be one knot
per hour slower than the Zealandia and
may not arrive till tomorrow. The Zea-
landia, now at Angel island, may be
moved to the anchorage at the foot of
Folsom street. The troops will not dis
embark till tomorrow. kessler is sup
posed to be on board. All are we'll.
The soldiers will be interviewed by re-
porters for democratic newspapers and
encouraged to criticise everything done
by the administration. Democratic i'm
Al,
heroes refuse to authorize Many soldiers
previously returning are grossly mis-
represented by the democratic press and
deny the language attributed to them.
Captain w. l.. Hill of Butte, at the
Presidio, wounded in the thigh, is recov-
erng nicely. He said today:
II am glad l went to the war. I felt
it my duty and would go again. 1 be-
lieve that American craftsmanship is
fully capable Of solving the question Of
the proper government of the Philippines.
1t means millions Of dollars for Ameri-
can commerce and manufacturing, and
the establishment of American civiliza-
, ton and law in one of the richest sections
of the world. We need the islands to as
sist in the capture of Oriental trade Gold
is there. We panned it in many places.
1t is wonderful country for rice, to-
bacco, sugar and valuable woods. have
, no criticism to offer of my superior off,
GERS. That is not the duty of a soldier
The best possible results have been ac-
complished with the means availa BILE. If
mistakes have been made they will be
rectifed. The Montana men made a
splendid record for bravery. They were
irresistible in battle. OF course few
will be found to find fault and partisan
newspapers will exaggerate their COM
plants. but many men here who have
been quoted in criticism Of the govern
ment tell me they were grossly misrepre-
sented. Wait till the boys get home
that is my advice to the people of Mon
tana before accepting partisan reports
Colonel Kessler is proud of his men and
shared all their dangers in the battle
field Naturally they are devoted to
him, and to Cook and Wynne.
"Aguinaldo's strongest support has
come from the United States. The native
newspapers have been full of anti-ex-
pansion newspaper articles and speeches
of anti-expansion politicians"
The Zealandia, having on board the
headquarters band, six companies of the
gallant First Montana, crept through the
thick fog, felt her way inside the Golden
station at Angel Island few minutes
afte. noon.' She was close to the Gate
before sighted, the fog was so thick.
When the big black hull loomed up, the