The San Francisco call., 1899-08-30
LET US HAVE FACTS.

4 IL IOTlld0Q OTeSO0ldH IS lIlS dOiSot w FN'NNiH
advocate OF imperialism and militarism. 1t is
paper OF such ability that it afford to argue
its case from the substantial and everlasting
basis OF truth and facts 1t is therefore
more noticeable than in weaker paper when
it avoids facts and substitutes Imagination OF
invention. The American people are willing to make
and continue it at the order OF their Government
They will so continue the in the Philippines un-
til they the masters OF their own Government
choose to command ii the pushing OF an ad-
venture after they choose to in it neither honor
profit.
The Oregonians latest statement Of its case is based
this imaginary foundation we did not 60 20
the Philippines for the purpose OF dealing with the
insurgents or OF helping them to gain their freedom
We there to strike at Spain, with whom we were
The insurgents rendered us no real assistance
the capture OF Manila and the expulsion OF Spain
for they then, now, too weak and cowardiy
stand and fight No people that possesses SO little
fighting quality establish or maintain national IN
dependence
The North China Herald, published in Shanghai, IN
its issue of January I6 I8oo prints lecture given IN
that city on January by Hon John Bar
rett, who is one of the most active coad-
tutors OF the Oregonian in advocating i'm
perialism and the conquest Of the Philippines
In that lecture Mr. Barrett said: For Aguinado and
his supporters | am free to say | have some re-
spect and much sympathy Having known him and
most Of his officers well, and watched him during
long period that has elapsed since | saw him put
aboard OF dispatch boat in Hongkong last May by
permission OF Admiral Dewey and Consul General
Wdman for the. direct purpose OF gong to CaVte 70
organize an army and temporary government, and
make war on the Spaniards in cooperation with the
American forces. it is impossible to condemn him
without reserve as so many have done. lie organized
an army out OF nothing, which developed into force
OF 10000 men, armed with modern rifles. He captured
all the Spanish garrisons Luzon outside Manila,
so that when the Americans were ready to proceed
against that city they were delayed and troubled
bv a country campaign Moreover, he has organized
government which has practically administered the
affairs of that island since the American occupation
OF Manila, which was certainly better than the former
administration by Spain He has organized Cabl-
net and Congress, and has among his advisers men
OF acknowledged ability as international lawyers.
while his supporters include most OF the prominent
educated and wealthy natives all OF which proves pos
sbilities Of self government that must consider
An officer in Dewey's fleet writes on January 81 or
this year: "Aguinaldo landed Cavite on May 20,
1903. He created native army in a short time and
immediately commenced to win victories. These were
at the time to us astonishing for he defeated detach-t
nent after detachment of the Spanish army took fort
after fort captured regiments with and am1nu-
ntion and in a little time he had captured every
Spanish soldier on the island OF Luzon, or had driven
those not captured into Manila. Time and again |
have witnessed whole battalions OF Spanish soldiers
marched as prisoners into San Rogue Before
August Il these insurgents had actually captured the
whole OF Luzon except Manila, from the Spaniards.
After taking all OF Luzon, with the exception named,
they conquered the Spanish in the island OF Negros
and also in Cebu, and before reached Iloilo they
had that CITY and the whole island Of Panay which
it is situated These places are, after Luzon the
important in the archipelago. More remarkable to
me than Aguinaldo's military actions, which every
where have been uniformly and tremendously
full has been the organization which he has perfected
throughout these islands, which now governs and
rules them, except in Manila and Cavite. | have
visited his government at MalolOs, and when meeting
and talking with these well-dressed courteous people,
with their intelligent faces, the idea that they
savages passed from my mind forever, and | have
since looked upon them people who should be
consulted when their fate and interests at stake
Now either this officer who wrote from Iloio only
four days before hostlities began tells the truth he
lies That he tells the truth is known by the Ore
gonian and by everybody else Why, then, base
position on the untrue statement made by that paper?
Why not admit the historical fact OF the conquest of
the three islands by the Filipinos with the unimpor
tant exception Of Manila and Cavite?
The American people are not traitors for wanting
facts and not fiction as the basis Of their action and
in the end it will go harder with policies and their
advocates who urge certain course upon statements
that not true.
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