The evening times., 1899-06-26
MONDAY. JUNE &c, 1899.
Unplcasant Philippine Truths.

The Major General Commanding the
United States Army has been discreetly
silent during the recent press discussions
of the Philippine situation. The reason,
doubtless is that, although nominally and
of right at the head Of our military esta5-
lshment, he has been ignored by the Ad-
ministration in connection with the Malay
insurrection, as he was during the Spanish
war 1t appears, however, that he has been
not unmindful of his duty to the army
and the country, and that according 10 a
reported admission by the War Depart
ment as early as last April. he urged the
enlistment of ten regiments of the Provis-
ional Army for the immediate reinforce
ment of General Otis. At the time men,
toned he knew what every educated soldier
in the country believed, that the force then
IN the Island of Luzon was not half strong
unough to suppress the rebels and restore
and maintain order. If this understanding
was not shared by the Commander-in-
Chief the fact must be added to the tale of
things which he may find it difficult 10 ex-
plain some day.
As a matter of fact there is little ques-
t.
sity for more troops. but was dissuaded
from securing them by the corrupt politi-
cal influences which have controlled his
policy and conduct throughout. 1t would
not be complimentary TO his common sense
to assume that the universal opinion of
army and navy officers at Manila, COM
bined with the stern logic OF events trans
piring under his eyes. should have no eff
feet upon his mind. Yet it is painful to
remember that at the most critical point
of the spring campaign. he outwardly ig-
nored that opinion and allowed the militia
ry situation TO be complicated and ruined
by the doddering idiocy of his Peace Com
missioners. Even today ii is doubted in
some quarters if the President will stand
TO his guns and do the full measure of his
duty. He is now. as he has been for
months, under a strong and incessant
pressure from influences desrous of Amer
lean failure in the Philippines. We still
trust that he has the basic patriotism to
resist them and to act in accordance with
the demands of the country.
II he has. he will not lose an hour in
calling out every man the law allows him
to enlist. Brig. Gen. Marcus p. Miller,
lately Governor of Iloilo. is quoted as say
ing that it will take sixty-five thousand
troops to bring the LuZon fight to a sue
cessful finish. This is more conservative !
estimate than that of Brigadier General |
LawtOn. and. as matters stand today, |
we are afraid it is perilously low one. |
But. at least it is an improvement on the |
one violently and disingenuously attrib-
uted to Major General Otis by War Off |
cials in Washington. AS We have fire.
quently remarked, it is no doubt true that
the statement, that thirty thousand SOL
diers would be sufficient to end the rebel
lion and pacify the country. has been care
fully put in the mouth OF the Governor
General for political purposes, but that he !
has not given Mr.. Mckinley good reason
TO know he does not and has not believed
anything Of the kind, we cannot think pos
sible.
The Administration must see that II is
being crowded to the wall by the cumu-
ative effects of its mistakes, concealments,
md misstatements. upon American public
opinion. 1t will now have to do something
,old and patriotic il il would regain any
,art of the old national confidence once,
,ut no longer, reposed in it.