The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-25
4 SOLDIERS STRONG WORDS.
About the Misrepresentation of the I'M!
ippine Situation
(From the Brooklyn EaSle.)

From the Brooklyn Eagle.)
Fred b. Hinchman, membcr OF a well
known Brooklyn family, who has served
MS a volunteer in the Philippines as ser
reant of Co. \, engineer battalion, mas
recently returned home, having been an
yalided and having received has CAS-
charge from the army He says that the
neople of the United States have been
misled as to the situation in the Phillp-
mines. To al Eagle reporter he said TO-
day: ;,
1T is difficult to realize that practical
" the entire American people have been
kent in ignorance of the true state OF
affairs in the Philippines for the last ~
months or since Gen. Otis has been i'll
command there. This, however, Is the
actual fact, as all who have recently re-
turned from Manila see only too clearly.
The failure to understand the situation
seems to extend to the administration al
Washington, and if Secretary Alger
assertion that all the information recelv-
ed has been made public is true, the Adj
miuistration should be relieved from
m1,ch of the blame which is now failing
upon it.
Not only have the reports published
as having been received from Gen. Otls
been quite Incomplete, but in many I'M
portant points. such as the health OF the
troops and the willingness of volunteers
to remain, been absolutely and dellher-
ately false The protest signed by the va
rious representatives OF the press III MAJ
Mia is gospel truth. but only part OF II.
They have put the case mildly, well
knowing. no doubt, that to state the
facts fully and in detail would put Il
sudden end to their activities as journal
lists in the Philippine islands.
Prom the beginning of his administra'
ton in Manila, Gen. Otis has shown
himself the wrong man in.a very impor-
tant place. In his dealings with civil
ians and the Filipino Government III
sincere, short sighted and irresoute or
arrogant. by turns; in the city govern
nlent. vertable taX-gathercr and pea
nut politician. and in his military capa-
city. a martinez with an astonishing pre-
ference for office work at the palace 1T
Ralaganan. To quote Il prominent E.ng-
lish merchant in summing up: lie mas
done those things which he ought not to
have done: he has left undone those
things which he ought to have done, ami
there is no health i'll him.
"For Il lone discharged soldier to make
all the foregoing bald and unsupported
assertions may appear presunptuous. bnt
to go into details of the matter would
Ike subject matter for a large book. 1t il
one of the miracles of the 10Th century
that this colossal beat has remained SO
long unpublished. Time will prove each
and all of these statements to be true
Practically the whole Sth army corps.
both officers and men. and also the grand
majority of the foreign colony i'll Manila
hold the same sentiments. and in CONVEX
sation express them in more picturesque
and violent manner.
Gen Otis is not a prophet. lie SAID
there would be fight with the FiIipinos
There was a fight. He said at various
fines that he would subduc them at
dates long since past. They are still
fighting. That the situation was well in
hand it is slipping. through his fingers
That there will be no trouble i'll the
southern islands; there will be. That the
volunteers were willing to remain: no
words of tongue or pen can express the
almost universal desire to get home.
That he needed but few more men: many
thousands will undoubtedly be needed r.
conquer Lllzon alone. He has tried K
fool all the people all the time. He can
rot do it.