Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1899-03-31
Two VIEWS or GENERAL orIs.

In a critical period, such as
now exist at Manila,snys the Literary
Digest. the personality OF the man in
command may be the key OF the stu
alton. II he is a diplomat. but not a
soldier, he may fall into one error;
IL a soldier. but not a diplomat, he
may fall into another, possibly wore.
Yet while almost every other fact
connected with the troubles there
has been brought ont to the search
ing light OF criticism. the characters
tics Of the commanding general have
been, until now nearly unknown.
How Is it, then. with General Otiss
From two men who have known him
personally come widely different esti-
mates. The first is from the editor OF
the Seattle Herald, who says he was
once an employee OF General Otis.
Tho employer reduced the wages OF
his men, and when. the men remon-
Strated and asked arbitration, the en-
pioyer, according 10 the Herald's &C.
count, said -here was nothing to ar
bitrate.' Il have made 4 now scale
said he, -and You can either accept it
or get out The editor places the
title OF his estimate the question:
Els General Otis the American wey-
ler!'
Another view OF the Philippine
commander is given IL the American
Review OF Reviews by William Co.
nant Church. editor OF the Army and
Navy journal. Mr.. Church sketches
General Oiis's caree.-appoiDted cap
tain OF Company f, lj0:h Regiment
OF New YorS Volunteers. September
$50, brevetted colonel aud brsGdie--
general January p, 1865. for -sallGn:
and m]eritorious service at SPOTS
vile aud Chapel House; from iS6.: to
1881 in command OF regulars on the
frontier; organizer OF school Of inian
try and cavalry at Fort LeAvepworh
15si.S5; superintendent OF recruiting
service, $50: bngsdier-Eenerai q,
regular army November lSa3-aud
pictures hIn SIS both a soldier and a
diplomat, and a worthy commander
OF the body o.; officers and men at
Manila.
The editor OF the Herald says:
Probably no worse man in this
country could have been placed in
control OF the American forces than
General Cts. This man Is hy nature. I
a despiser ut human liberty. He be
lieves in a ruling class and "A serving |
Class in America. 4. stern aristocrat, !
who conceives al utter contempt for
the common people, or .rabbie', he
has always opposed any recognition
OF popular rights. To his mind tile
laborer who becomes dissatisfied with
an animal existence and demands fair !
wages and fair hours is IN migrate and
should he treated Us an anarchist
Such is the migrate who rules in
Manila. Knowing what We do Of the
man it Is easy to imagine the ayidity
with which he may have seized the OPP
portunIty his mission to the Philip
pines affords 10 play the tyrant. His
contempt for an inferior race was
probably shown by many high hand
ed acts, calculated to raise the fears
and suspicious OF the POOR islanders
and prejudice them against the Amer
leans. We are sure that General
Obs wouid not treat the Filipinos Ms
though:they had am rights which a
conquer was hound to respect. With
a pompous dictator, Tor ling it over
them could results different from
those reported be expected?
Few will dispute that it is pecces-
sary to shoot down ra~pacious pillag-
ers in Manila, il such exist, and pro-
lie and property; but IL 1t finally
comes to light that the tyrauicaI
treatment by The American author.
was responsible for the slaughter
OF FEBRUARY 4ih then General Otis
viii go down in history as the Amer.
lean weyler.-
Mr.. Church's estimate is as follows:
HE is a modest, quiet gentleman,
making no display Of any kind. and
Is a man Of deeds rather thar Of
words. His manner gives little iDdi-
OF his activity Of mind and his
unhsgins energy in action. His e1.
perience with the Indians aud COW.
boys on the fmntier has taught him
hcw to mingle ipte1ibility with kind
ness. To the writer be once said his
intercourse with the coSb1ys had
him hoE effective this comb.
nation OF compulsion and concili7,ioD
vas More than once he has released
rom custody men iouud violating
techOical laws OF the froutie, on their
to reffhin from further depre.
dssoDs- and in no case had his conf
deuce ever been abused. Whether
he will hnd a similar method OF deal.
ing With the Fifipinos effective time
will show. We may be sure tina, he
VIII not push the policy Of repression
iusthur than circumstances REQUIRE.
and that those eho ttus4 him will
have no occasion to tegte, IL.
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