Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-09-07
rider to attack Ilolo on the third of Jan

order TO attack lloilo ON the third of Jan
uary, and since the issuance of such an
order was in itself an act of criminal az
gression, the fact that it was disobeyed
can not relieve it's author from guilt Nor
can the fact that it WIS countermanded
forty-eight hours after it was issued
change its complexion. Gen. Mile; says:
''Two days ward-before my letter
conld have reached him-by special boat
| received an orde'' from Major General
Otis to avoid hostile conflict with the
enemy and await orders. Henc: our
forces lay in the stream until February
| 10, when orders came for the attack"
Notice this order of February 5. 1t was
not command to leave Iloilo, but to re-
main and await further orders; it was
simply suspension of hostlities, and
the very next order received was to attack
the city. According to Gen. Miller, "the
attack was opered by the navy about 8 80
a. m. on February II, the usual notifica-
ion having been previously given having
Ill it the clause to the effect that should
they further blockade the river, or throw
up or repair more Notifications, the army
and navy wonld open upon them at
once"
There was no plot to massacre our SOL
diers; there was no skirmishing between
the Two armies; but "the commanding
ofiic.r Of the Petrol having discovered
early in the morning Of February II, the
enem. repairing entertainments, and re-
portin-, the same to Capt. Wilde, of the
Boston. which had relieved tie Baltimore
on the 1'h, that officer gave the neces-
sa,y ORDERS to fire two warning shots.
Soon af'eIward fires began to appear in
the lower part OF :he town; and in about
half an honr the enemy having returned
the warning shots, both ships OF the navy
opened on the forts and entertainments.
ments by soon fled. The amy made
preparations as fast as possible to land.
The navy put landing party ON shore,
entered the fort, took down the Filipino
nay anu IuISCt tIlc AultIICdII, anu UfO-
cee,led into the city until they reached
the plaza and custom house"
Now, who fired the first shot at Iloilo?
Who we're the aggressors there? Did our
army and navy 90 there on the Goth Of
December, 1898. for the purpose OF taking
the city ny force? Did they not remain
there for that purpose until February II,
1899? Did they not seize launches and
other means Of warfare between the date
! OF arrival and the commencement of act
ual hostlities against the Filipinos? Did
they not accomplish in the end the exact
purpose for which they went there in the
BEGINNING? Was it not one persistent
and undivided campaign? And if that
bs 50, did no. the Phi ippine war actually
commence on the 18th OF December, 1898,
when the Iloiio exredlion left Manila?
Was it not undertaken in pursuance Of
| the PRESIDENTS proclamation Of lcrember
2l, 1898? And was it not the original
plan to attack The city en- the third OF
January, the day before the president
sent the treaty to the senate? Was not
the presidents proclamation declaration
of war? 1t is idle Tor Senator Lodge and
other imperiallsts to attempt to justify
the war by falsely pretending that the
Fiipinos attacked our soldiers in Manila
on the fourth of February. 1t is a poor
cause that must bolster itself by falsehood.
! Even ii Agu;naldo had made war OH us
after the Iioilo expedition had left Manila
to take Philippine territory by force, as
he threatened to do in his manifesto of
January 3, his act would have been justi-
! fable, and would in 10 sense have ex-
/ culpated our government from the charge
OF criminal aggression.
Grays Hatbor Laundry.
The Grays llalbor Laundry desires to
say to the people OF Grays lIarbor, that,
under its new management, its machinery
and building have been thoroughly over
| hauled, Il new mangle and centrifugal
wringer have been purchased and are
now on the way from the east, and the
plant has been SO improved as to permit
as good laundry work as can be produced
on the coast. We solicit the patronage OF
the people under guarantee Of the best
OF workmanship, careful handling OF the
clothes and prompt delivery.
- T. P.I co Bros.