The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-04-05
The Point OF View.

A great deal depends on the point of
view. If one is predetermined to take
false or distorted view of things, he
doesn't want to seek viewpoint from
whence his vision will be enlightened.
And, on the other hand, If one must
depend on the evidence of others for
his impressions, and desires to come to
right conclusions, he will be guided by
the testimony of men in q position to
Judge and having moral as well as
practical capacity to form right judg-
ments. For example, the Springfield
Republican writes an editorial article
that is crawling with corruption to
show how physical disease of special
types assais and decimates white SOL
diers in the tropics, and predicts all
nameless woes for the American SOL
diers as the result of their habitation in
the tropics. This is what newspaper,
some 10000 miles from the scene of its
observations, sees through eyes jaun-
diced by prejudice.
On the other hand, General Wesley
Merritt, whose point of view was some
what less remote than that of this
newspaper editor, whose eye is clearer
and whose reason is unClouded by the
miasmatic mists that envelop the Re
pubican's upper story, takes more
wholesome view of the white mans
situation at Manila. Writing for Frank
Leslie's Monthly General Merritt says
the American army in the Philippines
is composed of the finest material in
the world, and is we'll supplied and
healthy. The question as to what eff
feet the South Sea tropical climate will
have upon American soldiers fresh
from our temperate or wintry zones, is
important, he says, but not necessarily
alarming. His own observations in
the Philippines are stated thus;
So long as our men took care of them
selves and followed the instructions given
them in regard to clothing, food and expos
ure to the MONDAY sun or the night air,
they were remarkably healthy. We had
very little sickness. There are no epidemic
fevers-such as yellow fever-in Manila,
and the climate is cooler than that OF Hong
Kong or the adjacent portions OF China
Personally had not days sickness, and
everybody 1 knew who took care of him
self got along very well. Such is conspicu'
A 4 "a
those on bis fleet; sick men there are al
most as scarce as killed or wounded. Ol
course, in the navy they have the advantage
OF living indoors and carrying their houses
with them. The army is necessarily more
exposed. For two weeks General Greene
and his brigade were in the trenches up tt
their middles in water the greater part Of
the time-that is, while on picket duty.
But to offset these hardships our troops il
the Philippines were well supplied.
heard no complaint of the commissary sup
plies; and, moreover, by means Of the BAN
boo which grows in great profusion in tina
country the men made thu mselves cots
raised above the ground-an important pre-
caution insisted upon by the doctors-anC
in that way escaped much discomfort ant
sickness After the fall Of Manila, wheI
the reaction had set in, there was rather
lower average OF neutrality-suspicious. the mel
became less careful OF themselves. Ye
while I was in Manila-up to September
there was very little sickness-not create
percentage than would be found among tn
game number of men anywhere.
In brief, from what experience AM
knowledge L have, SIN inclined to be a
optimistic as ever regarding our flag in tn
Philippines. ] think the present excite
ment and occupation OF the troops is yer
good thing, and keeps them from becomin
homesick. After peace was established
and it appeared nothing more was to
done, good many Of the men wanted
come home. or course, those who wante
to come home were louder in their clamo
than those who were willing or desired
stay. have noticed that great many
the regulars in this country have asked
Join the regiments ordered to Manila,
being a particularly desirable service. TIL
in itself is a good sign. 1t is an Indicate
that we may become very good colonis
after little experiences; and we have {
advantage of some very useful object Ii
sons in what the English have acco
plished and are now at. 1t is difficult
sympathize with those who forsee insup
able obstacles in the way of our establish
military government on the lines alrea
laid down.
With maple sugar retailing at twel