Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-21
WEDNESDAY.."....JUNE y, 1899
SOWING THE WIND.

Anent the discussion of the question Of
increasing our force IA the Philippines,
& has been repeatedly asserted in admin
istration circles, and upon alleged Off
cial information from Manila, that there
would be- no difficulty as to the re-enlist-
ment Of the greater part of the volun-
tcors now serving In the islands. This
assurance has been palpably discredited
by many private letters and unccnsored
dispatches. but the administration per-
sistently adhered TO # Now, however,
according 60 a Washington special to the
Baltimore sun. the War Department is
compelled TO admit, reluctantly that there
IS little, If any, reason TO expect that
even a small fraction of the Philippines
volunteers VIII re-euist. IN other words,
the administration has been forced to
acknowledge that the private letters and
uncensorcd dispatches referred to re-
Elected the true situation aad that the
governments representations iucontra-
vention were intended TO gain slime in the
matter OF preparing the public MID for
the day when supplying Otis with heavy
rc-enforcemeuts would be- necessity.
The same special also says that intel
hsence hes been received that Funston.
Hale. dnu the Other daring leaders who.
SWORD iu hand have charged at the head
of their troops ana cheered them on to
victory. have PUT by al inducements to
remain aid are coming home. And this.
adds the special shows that 90 the
III
there Is nothing in the situation which
conveys au appeal
Precisely. Here is a statement OF q
cold. hard fact, the recognition of which
has been growing for months That fact
u. that there j. nothing in the prosecu
ton Of the war that appeals TO the high
est instincts OF the patriot and the SOL
der our volunteers with Otis have made
splendid name but they have felt that
they were lighting. not for great Brnci.
pie. bar simply cor the vindication OF
American MANHOOD. Their inspiration has
been largely the inspiration of indi-
Wdul pride ana pride OF country. In
many Instances. as We know, both Off.
GERS ond mer have put themselves on
record as holding thai they were fighting
against q principle. which is the most
cherished heritage OF the American peo-
pie.
The Suu~s special further says that the
volunteers in the Philippines have lived
up 20 the letter ano the spirit of their
contract and they leave behind them the
bones OF many comrades, who like them
never faltered; now they are content
that others fresh from home shall take
their places II they can be found. Pre-
eisely again. 'It they can be found"
just there we have cho promise Of stin
that Immediately confront him. There
IA no question that he would seize upon
any excuse that might present itself to
call for more volunteers, and even raise
the army 80 the limit allowed by the
army bill, provided this could be done
without Jeopardizing his chances for re-
election 20 the presidency. War or no
war. he ana his imperialistic supporters
are militarists 1t is a matter of con-
gressional history that in accepting the
compromise on tho army bill Mr.. McKln-
ley was actuated by the belief that II
would enable him TO pave the way to
get through future Congress mea-
sure that would fasten upon the coun-
try permanent standing army OF 100000
men. lie. therefore, looked beyond the
war into which he has plunged US An
excuse for exercising his fun power under
the present bill would be godsend TO
him. not only in respect of helping him
to push his programme OF Imperialism on
the other side OF the globe. but in re-
spect OF rendering II easier 10 secure
the establishment Of the military ma
chinery FOR oycrawing the people at
home after the advent OF peace
But the excuse has not offered. and as
we have heretofore pointed out ominous
warnings are coming from the people
that he would better "go slow" SIN
he is hoping and longing. as a Washing
ton special to the New YORK Herald
proves. We quote:
while all advlces from the Philip
pines emphasize the demand I'm this coun-
Try Tor All immediate call for the pro-
yislonal army. General Otis remains silent
on the subject. Upon him now lies the
responsibility for delay In calling OUT the
force OF 5000 men for use in case of an
emergency such as now exists. The
President stands ready. according 20 an
the authorities here. TO comply promptly