The times., 1899-10-24
Tic Old. Old storr.

Tn8smuCh as there undoubtedly is a great
deaI Of human nature in Mr. Mckinley, it
is not TO be questioned that it would please
MIN to have volunteer regiment oeea-
sionally come home with here and there
q good word TO say for Otis; but that bless
ing is denied him. Not one has returned
from the Philippines in any condition but
shst of disgust on the subject Of the
Administration mismanager and the scan
dalous state Of affairs which fiourishes un-
der his malign control in Manila.
This is bad for the Administration. The
eye and the mouth OF an officer Of high
rank may be shut, now and then, with
promotion or other valuable thing; but it
IS quite another affair TO buck and gag
buuches OF freemeu running from six or
seven hundred to a thousand or more souls.
They viii talk in spite Of the embarrass-
ment they must know viii result to their
pastors and masters from such vicious
courses. The oregon, California, Washing
ton. Utah. Idaho, Kansas, South Dakota,
and Pennsylvania regiments have all
turned up with one and the same story
Without any known exceptions, they have
all declared Otis TO be the best friend of
the rebellion in the Philippines, and that
as long as he shall remain in command
4 gulnaldo viii have no difficulty in main
tanning his resistance to American sover-
eighty. We have now the testimony of the
Iowa volunteer contingent to add to the
book Of evidence.
The Iowa regiment IS home and out Of
the service. and its late members appar-
emily are doing some excellent missionary
work. One Of them is reported as saying.
a years fighting has netted US abso-
luLely nothing. The FilfUinos now
believe the United States is unable to con-
quer them. I am certain that Otis never
viii end the war Il is against his inter
ests TO do so, and he never works against
his personal iuJerests," That idea ap-
pears 10 permeate the Iowa volunteers, as
It has all OF their comrades from other
States. Why Is it that army opinion in
The Philippines should incline to the the
ory that it is TO the advantage Of Otis and
his friends TO prolong the insurrecuon2
We should be tempted to suggest to the
president an Investigation Of this extreme
ly sinister theory if It were not reasonably
certain that he knows all about the matter
already.
The charitable view 10 take IS that while
he understands the full extent OF the rot
1zaness that fourishes in Manila. he re-
CARDS Otis as innocent Of blame for it,
and. otherwise. dare not interfere. becaus
10 DO so would be to offend business inter
ezts protected by Hanna OF some other po-
rsrual Republican leader lie may argue
that granting OTIS shocking inaapacity it
would be useless to remove him. since his
successor would have TO Be placed under
The control Of the persons. firms. and syn
Cicates Who are supplying Agu.naIdo.s
force with arms and ammunition, in ex-
change 1or hemp, rice. and tobacco.
II Dir. Mckinley is really poEerless to
end the Infamous reign OF smuggling ana
loot and TO place a competent and trust
worthy soldier IN command over the Phil
1-Dines. be ought 10 say so, in order that
ihe country may eXCnerate him, and look
10 Congress for relief ID a few weeks tae
lawmakers Of the nation viii be gathered
IN Washington. The autumn elections VIII
lie over. and the field viii BE- cleared To-.
ne consideration Of vital questions o. ad-
Zinistration. Il viii then be In order to
bring Otis. Denny and the influences they
represent to the front Discussion in and
Investigation by Congress OF the Ezecu-
tive reasons Tor preventing an effective
campaign IN Luzou. and Tor the support o.
she djscrelitea Governor General. might
throw q welcome beam Of Laht on what
nov IS a dark and dismal mystery