Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-02-25
A HERO HoN0RED.
sas Legislature-TelIs of AZ
fairs at Manila,

TOPEKA, Feb. A.-(Special.) The Kan
sas legislators did honor to Manila hero
to-day. 1t was the man who stood on the
bridge of the flagship Olympia, at the
side of Admiral Dewey, and gave all the
signals to the American squadron which
sent the Spanish fleet to the bottom of the
sea during the great naval battle on the
morning of May /, last. This man was
Lieutenant Commander c. P. Rees. of the
navy.
The lieutenant commander and his fam
fly have just returned from Manila, and
are on their way to Washington. They
stopped here to visit the lieutenant's BROTH
er, Captain Rees, of Garnett, and his
nephew, r. r. Rees, Of Minneapolis both
members of the legislature.
The party was met at the depot and
driven to the state house. They were first
received by Governor Stanley. Next they
went to the senate, where Lieutenant
Commander Rees was introduced to the
members by Lieutenant Governor Richter.
The hero is very modest man.. He is
a better fighter than a talker. and he said
he did not relish the idea Of having so
much fuss made over him. However, he
thanked the senators for the honor con-
ferred on him. After meeting the senators
and others in the senate chamber. he was
escorted to the house. where he was intro
duced by Judge Osborn. the speaker.
Lieutenant Commander Rees again re-
sponded. thanking the people for their gem
erous reception and assuring them that he
appreciated it. although he was not dis
posed to parade himself as a hero. His
reference to the great naval battle and
Admiral Dewey brought forth tremendous
applause, and at the conclusion Of his re-
marks. upon the suggestion of Major Rem
ington, of Miami county, three hearty
cheers were given in honor Of Admiral
Dewey and his gallant sailors. Afterward
half hours handshaking was indulged in.
The women focked around the hero in
numbers.
Look out or they will treat you as they
did Hobson,'' remarked a member Of the
legislature to the lieutenant.
''Oh, guess not" he replied. II am mar
ried and my wife is with me-
There were some women who said they
had good notion to kiss him anyway.
What will the admiral do when he
comes back if they treat his subordinates
this way?" the hero asked of woman.
They will smother him to death with
Kisses" she replied.
officer tonight, at the Throop by the KAN
sas members Of the Loyal Legion.
tertaining talker about affairs in the Phil
ippnes. He, left Manila December 80, but
said that things looked then ssv as had sa
dicted that there would be war weeks be-
tore Rees left.
There are all classes of people, in the
Philippines said he to a Journal corre-
spondent to-day. Some of them are en-
lightened and highly educated: Then they
"Are they capable Of self-government?"
" 40" said he, emphatically; Not by
any means. They will have to be educated
up to it. The first thing to do is to let the
Eilipnos know that the United t hI S.ateg ias Us
as the hsn people 81 Kansas do
opinion. it will not take long to drum a
few Of these things into their heads a:, The
diers ,sls now; " they @ have found it out to their
sorrow. When the Spaniards were warning
with them. the Spanish soldiers would ,l g9
four or five and then. go back to camp and
lay around six months smoking cigarettes
and tell how vigorously they were push push
things tnf si in the United States way. and their
work viii soon result In putting down the ie
eenauered the Filpnos in the other isl.
ands will Say down.
aj W is eeyfF ssnsms5S che e0ptin F1dm
sa sPs9 'e sy st %a Of Sf hhRPnss tRs en
gether with his arbitrary manner er OF tSev
think he is their savior, he has been able
to equip an army fairly we'll. He was on
our flagship frequently ailcT tic nAsiiiiAd
naval battle, and for awhile was considered
our ally.
became suspicious Of him and accorded him him
rather cool treatment after that. lie went
to the interior and organized his forces.
After the protocol was signed. and before
the treaty was ratified, our forces at Ma
nila were unable to do anything. Aguin>
aldo was working industriously all the
time strengthening his army. For that rea-
son, he has been able to make quite a
showing. From my knowledge OF the sit
uation when left. and what have read
since my arrival in this country, | feel
satisfied that he will soon have to yield,
so that they will be disappearing" said
he 'They are very productive. 1nasmuch
as the United States can't honorably turn
them loose, 1t should see that they are
developed. Should our country turn the
ISLANDS over to the F'ilipinos now; anarchy
would reign there within a week. There
are too many leaders among them. II the
islands had been turned back to Spain.
that country could never have held them.
The islands would be in a complete state
of anarchy under that condition. The only
thing for the United States to do. in the
judgment of those who have been on the
ground. Is to conquer the Filioinos and
then educate them up to model system
OF government"