The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-10-06
AGAINST EXPANSION.

Volunteer Soldiers Not in Favor Of the I'm
periaIistic Policy OF the Administration
The Philippines-their resources
what they are good for-the situation
OF the insurrection-are few of the
many questions that are asked the sol
diers daily.
Our most able statesmen seem to be
unable to solve this problem at pres
ent, let alone a common soldier, who is
supposed to stand at attention and not
speak or move without a command.
But am proud to be one Of the many
thousand who answered our coUntry's
call in the Spanish-American war, to
uphold her honor and sEenge the muir
dered heroes Of the Maine. am one
Of the fOrtunates that have been in
most Of the important places the Am
erican forces have conquered on the
island Of LuzOn.
When our forces made the charges
from CalOOcan to MaIOlOs, I was de-
tailed as one Of the railroad employees,
but acting under the capacity Of a sol
der. There was very little trouble in
getting practical railroad men Of every
description, and soon had trains haul
ing supplies to the hungry soldiers at
the front I saw most every engage
ment Of Importance between CalOOean
and San Fernando, and in every organ
izstiOn in action never did I see
United States soldiers retreat from
-
and succeeded in driving the enemy on
every occasion.
But am I in favor of expsnsion9
Neverl believe that fully 90 per cent.
OF the volunteers are against the pro-
position Of forcing upon the FiIipinos
a government they do not want. Even
on q strictly sound basis, the islands
viii never pay the United States as q
possession. L believe the FilipinOs
have been WrOnged, tTicked, and de-
ceived. With the volunteers when the
war broke out it was case Of necessity
to defend Manila and sustain the flag,
right or wrong. I do not see that We
are bound to force upon the Filipinos
our supreme rule. Give them what
was prOmised-the professionalism
take possession Of their ports and Gus
tom houses until proper indemnity is
exacted and paid. This the Filipinos
have always been glad to consider, and
would gladly accept.
Here are the first two articles Of Gen.
Merritt's proclamation to the FfIipinOs,
published the following day after the
Spanish surrender in Manila:
War has existed between the United States
and Spain since April p, Of this year. Since
that date you have Witnessed the destruction.
by an American feet, Of the Spanish naval
power IN these islands, the fan Of the principal
city, Manila and its defenses and the surrender
OF the Spanish army Of occupation to the forces
Of the United States
The commander Of the United States forces
now IN possession has instructions from his
government to assure the people that be has
not come to wage var upon them. nor upon any
party OF faction among them, but to protect
them IN their homes, in their emDlOyments, and
IN their personal and religious rights. All per
sons who, By active aid OF honest submission.
cooperate with the United States in its efforts
20 give effect to this benehcient purposs, viii re-
eeiTe the reward Of its support and protection.
The following is a part Of Gen. Otis
proclamation:
To the people Of the Philippine islands: In
structiOns Of his exceIsncy the president Of the
United States, relative to the administration Of
affairs in the Philippine islands have been tran
shifted to NE by direction OF the honorable. thu
secretary OF var, under date Of December z /
1888 They direct ne to publish and proclaim
IN ths most public manner to the inhabitants /
Of these islands that IN the war against Spain 1
the United States forces came here to destroy
the power Of that nation and to give the blss-
sings OF peace and individual freedom to the /
Filipino peoples that We ara here as friends Of !
the tihpinOs 70 protect them IN their homes, j