The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-11-03
THE HARD, COLD FACTS.
nckinIey's Statements Are ~ Sart-
ance with Matters 81
Record

In his speeches in defense Of his fhil- |
ppine war Mr.. Mckinley is giving point
10 the cynical observation that history
j. fiction agreed upon II is not pleas
ant duty 10 correct misstatcments OF
facts made by the president OF the
United States, but when president
takes the stump" he cannot object 10
that public criticism upon which the
people rely TO separate truth from er-
rOr.
In his speech at Fargo, y. d., Mr. Nc
Kinley said: I'VE did not go 10 war
until every effort at peace was ex-
hausted-"
II true, this statement would Justify
the war. Unfortunately IT IS not trse.
Did the president offer TO the FiApinos.
our accepted allies al Manila, the terms
aud conditions which congress imposed
upon the United States and held out 10
tho Cuhans when il set about freeing
Z Cuba? Did he assure the Filipinos
.-That the United States hereby disclaims
any disposition or intention 20 exercise
sovereignty. jurisdiction or control over
said is.And. except for the pacincatio1
( thereof. and asserts its determination hen
ana control OF the isla-a is people!
Does anybody doubt that If Mr. Nc
Kinlev had given this assurance TO the
Filipinos after the capture Of Manila
there would have been no war; Was
not this an effort for peace" which the
president was in duty bound TO make?
III he should give this assurance now
Is there any reason 10 doubt that 1t
would end the war? The president him
self admits that 1.-The leader Of the in
surcent forces says TO the American
government. You can have peace II
YOU Will give US independence Would
not such a termination OF the trouble
be more honorable and just, more IN
accordance with American principles,
than TO send an army of 65,0OO men TO
subjugate a people who after all are
only fighting for their freedom is our
forefathers did:
The cold truth is that, alike in his
procla nation Of December - and in the
subsequent proclamation OF his com
missioners. the president demanded the
unconditional surrender and submis-
sion of the Fiiipinos TO the sovereign
~" OF the United States Never one
effort for peace has he made by offer
ing them even autonomy under pro
teciorate.
But Mr.. Mckinley said further a
Fargo: The insurgent leader made az
attack upon our men, and then oul
boys let loose
II this were true it would justify
shooting back No American worthy
the name would suggest-whateyer hi
views OF the merits of the main question
that our soldiers should not repel at
: tack. But the official record contra
diets the president. His own genera
. the one and only Otis-in his offcia
l report of the opening Of hostilitie
said:
Feb. 4. iso-Firing upon the Filipino
and the killing OF one Of them ~ the \ NE
leans. leading 10 return FIRE The chief u
surreat leaders did not wish 10 open hossil
] ties a; that time
> Mr.. Mckinley further says: Nv
: never gave a bride for peace in all on
4 history. and we never will
h Again. this would be important
n true. But the presidents peace con
q missioner. Mr.. Schurman. reports ths
4 he made bargain or treaty with u
1 sultan OF Sulu. agreeing for the sab
: Of peace and TO secure the privilege
r flyinr our flag at the seaport 10 pa
! the sultan $3.50 a month and 10 nine
r his chiefs $40 a month. in addition
II recognizing" slavery and pclygamy
q his domains as established instit'
. tons Was not this -bribe for peace
i and a very rcprehensible and nasi
a bribe?
n Is il not incumbent upon presidel
!. Of the United States. when he heads
= band Of political stump speakers, TO
a, particularly and scrupulously exact
n his statements IN. y. World