The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-01

the miserable scramble OF civilians for
appointment TO commissions WOuld enc.
Ine best regiments in the volunteer ser
vice are those so fortunate as 10 be COM
handed by regular onlcers. Sucn are the
flrst Washington, Colonel NhOIey $ me
regiment. and the First Nebraska,
brought 10 splendid efficiency by the Ia
mented -Statsenberg. These organizations
diner IN no way, 50 far as the rank ana
HE is concerned. from the others or the
same corps. Tie point OF divergence is
that. avIug trained and educated soldiers
al their head. Officers n men have Dcne-
fted by their knowledge and been con-
frOlled by q thorough system OF discipline.
so long as We have volunteer regiments
differed by civilians, so long VIII great
and needless suffering be entaiied upon
the men under them. IL is for this rea-
son that the volunteers here are almost
a unit in demanding an adequate standing
army.
The sending out OF the Peace Commis-
sion has proven a huge mistake in every
way. First. because IT actually led the
fnsurgent leaders 20 believe hat we were
tired of the struggle and desired peace at
any price. Secondly, because they inter-
fcred with military operations on more
than one occasion. The whole business
was about two years ahead of time, and
did us harm. An Illustration OF this IS
seen when the gunbOat Bennington. with
Mr.. Schurman on board, was visiting the
islands Of the Viscayan group.
Arriving off the city Of Paliwan, Com
mander Taussig hoisted a flag of truce
and was preparing TO 90 ashore ana IN
tcrview the insurgent Governor. Wheh a
boat put off from shore and told him
that the ship must be out OF the halDQI
I'm two hours. The commander promptly
prepared for action, and would nave nom
barded the place had not the president
Of the Peace Commission objected so
strongly. Doubtless the Governor OF
paliwan has experienced "a growing con-
tempt of American proves ever since,
and 10 Will require sharp hgntlnG ana
some lives to convince him of his error.
The mailed hand alone has a place here
to-day. Nothing can he done until our
arms are Triumphant IN every parl %. lne
country. SO long as prevailing conditions
exist there is little room for American
capital. Eventually. however, the Philip
pines win offer a rich field Tor "nterpis Sc.
The plOws iu use are of the Nnd known
10 the ancient Egyptians. so with the
~hand-milis for grinding rice and the tools
for every purpose. All lumber Us sawed
bv hand. and ID is a mystery to me how
they have handled some Of the nara
woods of such great dimensions.
along this line that capital must seek its
proffs AT first. on this island there are
splendid deposits of Ignite coal. easily &C.
cesslble. were q short road built To the
beds. 4 few weeks since VI led thl-
field. csCOrting Dr. feckeI, OF DHit,N
states Geological Survey. This gentle
man spoke of the hneness Of the coal
and the ease with which II could be
mined. before returning 10 the states J
intend. If possible. 10 post myselt more
thoroughly along this line.
7 believe. and rightly TOO. hope. that
General Otis should not Toe burdened with
the immediate command a the army. lie
has TOO much 10 do as Military Governor
10 be able 10 devote his time 10 campaign-
ing C~onfdentia1lv. ! may add that the
troops regard Macarthur as far ana away
orr ablcst general. and his uniform sue
ooes would seem 70 justify this opinion.
When I return hope 10 be able 70 write
a series Of articles On the whole Phii'n..
nine question. while my time IS occupied
MS at nrosont 70 is impossible 20 Give more
than n mirsorv outline You Will pardon
'he haste with which this has been writ
ion but nv time. as 7 said. is not my
own ana have 20 content myself with
" VIZ r. y. G.