The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-01

publican and democratic. to oriticlse the
selection OF otis as supreme command
er o, the Philippine forces, No sensi-
BILE man blames the administration for
such a mistake, even II Il be mistake
and that Is yet far from proen-sinee
no general In all the American army
had a aner record than Otis when he
was sent to the Philippines But this
one possible vulnerable point In the
Philippine policy has been seized by
the presidents political opponents with
the hope upon this. II upon no other,
to hang an excuse for lighting the ad-
minlstratiOa and the republican party
which may enlist the sympathy Of the
better element OF their leaders and
newspapers. To this end. every effort
is being directed to the discredit OF
Otis. How despicable the schemes and
methods Of these plotters are was shown
up IN sood style by the San Francisco
Chronicle some days ago. Referring to
the return Of the Montana troops, the
Chronicle said
The Montana boys who arrived yes
terday, should take warning OF a po-
litical trap in which few score OF
their comrades, belonging TO regiments
previously disembarked, have been eau
previously dissmbarked. have been
caught and held. A concerted efort,
directed by the democratic national
committee, has been made by democrat
lc and mugwump newspapers to get In
coming soldiers to critieise the conduct
Of the war in the Philippines and
particularly the soldiership OF General
Elwell S. Otis. Such criticisms, when
made. have invariably hurt the stand
ing Of the soldier in that they have
convicted him out OF his own mouth
Of conduct prejudicial to good order
and military discipline. The democrat
ic rational committee and its news
paper adjunets care nothing for this.
All they want is material for making
attacks upon the administration, so
that they may force II TO withdraw
Otis and give the credit Of the sue
cessful issue Of the war thereafter to
some one Of their own favorites. Re
cen, experience has shown that Soung
and thoughtless soldiers, given a chance
of wide publicity for such views as
they are willing to adapt to the policy
OF the democratic campaign managers,
are apt to say things which they do
not mean. which are unjust and which
cloud their title TO the honorable dis
charge from the service which will be
almost their only trophy Of the war.
The Chronicle wishes particularly to
warn these OF the danger at hand.
I W nile IN unlLoIIu tIlu III Nie SCI VIZ
their views OF the conduct of the war,
whether favorable or unfavorable,
should not be given to the press or to
politicians. After their discharge they
may say what they feel that the sub
ject warrants. We might add. by way
or friendly warning. that members OF
recently arrived commands who ans
wered questions in a way most favora-
bly, to their late commanders in the
field, were deliberately misquoted in the
democratic and mugwump journals,
whose representatives went to meet the
incoming transports with tugs. In
stead Of compliments. the interviews
carried curses. The only safety for the
soldier, therefore. Is in an unbroken
reticence when questioned by reporters
about any Of the topics related to the
political issue Of expansion.