Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-24

as it is unnecessary. We promised
them independence, and instead gave
them merciless and devastating strife.
These were the words of John Sher-
man this morning in reply to ques-
ton regarding his opinion of the policy
of the United States in the Eastern
situation. They were spoken with the
greatest emphasis and embodied, as MI.
Sherman limited, his views of the mat
ter after giving it careful and mature
consideration and after figuring the
partial results of the acquisition of the
Philippines. The venerable statesman
was en- route from Washington to his
home at Mansfield, O., and passed
through Pittsburg on the Pullman pri-
vate car Iolanthe, which he occupied
with several of the female members of
his family.
Mr.. Sherman had breakfasted early,
and when the Iolanthe was attached to
the Pennsylvania western express at s
O'Clock he was seated in the observa-
ton room of the car enjoying sun
bath in the faint rays that strayed into
the gloomy train shed. He opened the
door to admit reporters and received
them with a CHEEKY manner, quite I'M
men. His gesture in proffering a seat
on the divans in the room indicated
that he had something important to
say, and that he was particularly anx-
ious that every word should be heard.
With a brief reference to his resur-
rection from his supposed death in the
West Indies.' by way of an opening
pleasantly, Mr.. Sherman at once turn
cd h; Of
the governments course in the Philip
pines.
'It is too bad that we ever got into
this trouble with these people," he be-
gan.
"The poor fellows have always been
our friends. They helped us when we
needed help They furnished every
comfort in their power when Dewey's
feet was lying isolated before the
Spanish guns at Manila. They gave us
plans with which to prosecute the cam
paign against the Spaniards and on the
battle line were our steadfast allies.
They fought with us because they saw
an opportunity to throw off the yoke
which had burdened them for a hum
dred years and believed that we would
enable them to set up a government
of their own. We, being looked upon
as the champions of freedom, they
naturally expected every act of Glenn
ency from us.
"The United States should have with
irawn from the islands the moment
peace was assured. When they had
looked forward to the same independ-
ence which our own forefathers won,
their subsequent action in taking up
arms against their former allies is not
unusual or unprecedented. History is
'ull of such examples. Theirs is indeed
war begotten by remorse. They will
soon be overwhelmed, but the victory
will not be one of great glory to our
arms.
THE order issued by our postal de-
partment for the excluding of the Ed
ward Atkinson pamphlets from the
Philippine mails is an outrage. Mr..
Atkinson was only exercising the right
OF every American citizen. In my opin-
ion no publication or letter, regardless
Of the tone of sentiment in the expan-
sion matter. should be shut out from
the mails so long as they are no more
radical than those little pamphlets.
81 do not look for any further serious
trouble for our soldiers. as the Fill
pinos now seem to be crushed. Our
way will be comparatively easy.
I do not look for the expansion uues1
tion to be living issue in the next
Presidential campaign. A year hence
will see the matter settled. no matter
how unsatisfactory it may be for many
OF the American people. The policy
will then be fixed and all will abide bv
it,
Mr.. Sherman. although he deplored
me retention of the Philippines, SEEM
ed to favor the holding of Cuba. "The
natives of the Antilles almost without
exception have Spanish blood in their
veins he declared, ''and in Cuba and
Porto Rico we have many true Span
iards to deal with. Latin blood is thin
among the Filipinos, you know"
The speaker paused as though wait
ing Tor some person to finish the state
ment he had begun and which he evil
IDENTIFY intended to be a declaration that
the people of the Philippines, owing to
the scarcity of Latins, would thus be
better able to govern themselves.
For moment Mr.. Sherman spoke of
his health and said that he had entire
ly recovered from the attack of pneu-
monia which he contracted last winter
while on a tour of the West Indies
His face is still quite pale but is full
of expression, and during his impas-
stoned reference to what he termed a
needless war against the F'ilipinos. his
keen eyes snapped like beads of fire.
He said he regretted that his illness
had prevented his visiting Cuba, as he
was especially anxious to study the
people and the resources OF the ISL
and
Il am not entirely out of politics."
he declared when asked concerning the
probable outcome of the Ohio guberna-
torial campaign. However, shall
not take part in any factional differ
ences within the party The candidate
whom the Republicans nominate will
be elected by large majority. | can
not say that I have any particular
choice.
Mr.. Sherman's conversation was not
so free when mention was made to him
Of the trouble in the commissary de-
partment of the army, and he absolute
" refused to be quoted regarding the
matter. He WIS also silent on the
peace conference that is being held at
The Hague.
This i tie nrst sime in three years