The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-20
A DEFENSE BY PLATF.
Seeks to Disrobe the Administration Of Any
Error Regarding the
SITUATION EXISTING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Figures II Out that Mckinley Is the
Greatest of Soldiers I'm Spite
of Drawbacks.

spects to those who lin the name oil I'D
erty and philanthropy are advocating
policy of National cowardice and dis
honor" to argue with whom he says
would be like codding a copperhead. The
senator then addresses himself to "othei
critics, who, entirely convinced OF oul
duties and responsibilities in the Philip
pines, are apprehensve lest the govern
ment has rot appreciated the size of it.
undertaking.
Speaking of the recent round robin, he
says: 1.-The governments means of in
formation concerning what has occurred
in the Philippines are not confined to
General Otis. The navy department has
its agents there. The president is d.
rectly represented by Mr.. DENLY, who was
for fourteen years our minister to China
and by Prof. Worcester, who resided in
the Philippines for four or five years and
who knows the native character and hab-
its.
"Ihe Philippine campaign is re-
ceiNing the presidents constant
personal attention. He IN in direct
vnble communication with Manila
and receives daily reports from all
sOurCSS. me OF HIS ne
ing nisled about the facts in the
case il scarcely worth considering.
The insurgents are scattered beyond
our lines in bands from 90 to 500; their
only considerable force consisting Of about
1000 men who were encamped in Northern
Pampanga, The southern army of the IN
| surgents possibly 1000 strong, Is badly
demoralized by recent defeats. The pres
| idents advices report to him that in a
| n ~ ha A mo i'm
local governments have been formed which
| are discharging their functions compv-
tently and to the satisfaction of the peo-
! pie; that the mass of the people desire
| peace and American protection; that they
no longer flee on the approach of our
| troops, but heartily welcome them; that
the population within the American line
is dense and grows larger all the time and
/ that land cultivation is going on ex-
! tensively.
| The president Is advised, and on this
point his information comes from all The
allie men whose official work is to keep
tie government correctly informed, that
the only hope for the insurgents lies in ID
efforts they are making to convince the
people that change OF government is
about to occur in the United States favor
able TO the insurgent cause; that there is
general opposition among the people TO the
prosecution of the war and fixed purpose
on the part of the political party about to
Gene into power to withdraw the American
army and to organize the government OF
Aeuinaldo. This argument is being occa-
sionally cultivated by the insurgent Lead
ers and it so far proves their purpose as
to enable them to maintain their forces In
fairly strong array.
There can be no question of the sub
stantial truth and accuracy of this infor-
nation. 1t comes from too many ditfen-
f,,v
honorable in character To admit of doubt
and not even the testimony OF newspaper
correspondents who resent the interference
OF General Otis blue pencil with their
sensational stories can stand against the
official reports OF the presidents civil
and military advisers.
1t shows, indeed. that a great work has
yet TO be done and 1t leads back to the
question why more has not ALREADY been
accomplished and to the question whether
the preparations now going forward Will
positively insure the creation OF force
sufficiently powerful for the work that
remains.
1T is perfectly easy to explain why the
government did not have a great army at
manila when the Fflipinos made their first
attack. 1t did not because it could NOT. |
IL was restrained by two circumstances
good faith with Spain and the laws of con-
sfess, under which the army had been |
created
senator Plat then calls attention to the
shortness OF the period of actual war with
spain' oYertures for peace having been
!naae almost before our army was equipped
10 take the field. Notwithstanding thjs
the president has, he says, in .JuIv 1Sas
sent $1,000 men 10 the Philippines. thouph
admiral Dewey had expressed the opinion
sHaI oVVo would be sufficient and General
Miles thought 10000 were surely enouch
Inc only work then expected of tbesa
men, he adds, was to fight and defeat the
Spaniards at Manila.
II under the terms of the peace protocol
Nc sIe 9panlards mad quietly moved out of
Mania and we had quietly marched In the
Two forces, each in its full stranpth reoca,
iuliy awaiting the conclusion of the nego-
uatlons at Paris, we might perhans have
Withdrawn from the Philippines with DIG
hity aud without he impairment NJ IN
lernatlonal obligations But having de-
stIoyeu the spanish authority aud having
Ioreiply placed ourselves in their stead as
lual government, status quo became i'm
possiple ana the withdrawal of the army {
ana navy would haze meant the abandon
ment OF the islands &c utter anarchy mis-
cry and misrule. 'N'S 3
rms view compelled the course that
vas taken by our commissioners at Paris.
ine men under arms and available /
or use, whether In the Philippines ar in
ne west indies, had all been enIisre1 for I
ne period OF the war. BY the terms y, |
neir enlistment they were free OF ever
,olgatlon to the governmelt upon its (:
PROCLAMATION of peace The president :,
SneW better thdn any one else that pea q
vas assured and tdat all his soldiers. nor
'niy those who s.o.l ready to ~ to the
1hiiippines, but the 10000 men thsre as
reH' we're Dy law TO be muItered ont OF c
ne service on tho instant when he made 5
ihciaI announce, aolIt that the Spanish war
vas over. NO discretion was permitted to
ne government. After the peace protocol
ad peen signed not n man could be rsed
the philippines except those already
mere. The Filip,no army, It is true. had
een assembled on the outside of Manila.
ut with respect 10 Americans 1t was gem
rally supposed TO be a friendly rather
nah hostile army. Its leaders had hen
,aent with tho assurances of their friend.
mp and condolences. Even nad the pres-
lent been at lihar:y under the terms Of
ie peace protocol to increase the Philip
me army and even had he men ayailabl,
" service here and hai been ready for
dhsportation there. no wise counsellor
e eu nave advised sending them there.
senator Plat reiterates the efforts Of The
'esluenl 70 secure action looking to the I
sorsahization OF the army and charges
nc members OF congress with delaying the !
,hi,yyr plii wh'ie the insurgents In the