Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-06-23
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS
FACTS AND OPINIONS GATHERED
FROM CONTEMPORARIES.
A GERMAN ESTIMATE OF THE WAR.

a GERMAN ESTIMATE OF THE WAN.
A sad chapter in the glorious history
of our country is to be found in the
sanguinary war in the Philippine Islands,
which was ostensibly undertaken in be.
half of the interests of humanity and
civilization. Mark Hanna, the "great
champion of the trusts" the moral
author of the imperialstlc policy, is to
certain extent also responsible for the
slaughter in the far east, which fairly
bids defiance to all civilization. 1t is
possible that Mckinley would not have
been adverse to some peaceful and
bloodless solution of the Philippine
question, which undoubtedly would have
been easy if we had made the Tagalos
friendly advances, but Hanna declared
himself decidedly for a policy of ag-
erosion of the severest kind, and it was
his will that carried the day. The ma
tives were told that we }had purchased
them with their possessions from the
Spaniards, that they therefore were our
rightful property ,pwith which we could
do as best pleased us. When the Taga-
los protested against such conception
most energetically. and when they as.
serted that they could defend their in
dependence Just as well against any ag
erosion on the part of the Americans
as they defended the same formerly
against the Spaniards, our former allies
were all of sudden termed rebels, and
relentless war was instigated against
them. How this proceeded and how it
is still proceeding can only be learned
from casual letters, inasmuch as the
strict censorship in Manila does not
Allow any reports to pass that might
throw an unfavorable light on our war
of determination there. An officer
writes that according to moderate esti-
mates at least 10000 Filipinos have lost
their lives in actual battles with the
Americans, while about as many
wounded and prisoners have been killed.
The number of women and children
who were butchered by our soldiers is
estimated by him to be at least 25,000.
Acts of brutality and force are, to be
sure, part and parcel of every war, but
the coldbooded cruelty with which
many of our soldiers make sport of
killing defenseless "niggers" even throws
W Tie SUduc lHt lluCll SDOktu VI taS-
lillian cruelty.
Letters of similar purport have been
published here and there and doubtless
give a much more correct insight into
matters than the official dispatches that
are full of lies. Under the circumstances
no one can greatly wonder at the fact
that the Tagalos resist so obstinately
the cruel cOnquerOrs. Those who for
the moment hold the power in their
hands in Washington are anxious to end
the war soon, even if for the purpose
of doing so they have to kill all the Fill
ipnOs. That is why in spite of the
rainy season the matter is forced and in
spite of all difficulties the campaign has
been renewed, but it is most doubtful
whether this war of conquest can be
brought to.a speedy end. History is the
worlds judgment doom upon the ma
lions, and there can be no doubt but
that the time will come when we shall
have to pay dearly for the fragrant in
Justice done toa people that had never
harmed us.-Cincinnati Volksfreund