The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-17
WHY so MANY TROOPS ARE NEED
ED.

There were two points in the lecture on
the Philippines which Prof Worcester de-
livered in the Central Music Hall, Chi
cago, on Wednesday night, a synopsis Of
which was published in our dispatches yes
terday, that will attract general attention.
One was the treatment the natives are re-
ceivng from Aguinaldo and his army, and
the other was the reason why Gen. Otis
needs so large an army.
Prof Worcester is a member Of the
Philippine Commission and is therefore
prepared to speak with considerable au-
thority on subjects pertaining to the is
lands. From his account the Fiipinos are
dealt with by Aguinaldo'S army in the
most heartless manner. They are NAL
treated, robbed and murdered. The in
surgent army devastates the country
wherever it goes. 1t has no respect for the
people or their rights. 1t would be sup
posed that under the circumstances, there
would be a very general revolt against
Aguinaldo's authority There would be
| doubtless if 1t were not for the doubt that
exists in the mind of the average native
as to the kind of treatment he would be
| likely to receive from the Americans His
mind has been filed with stories of their
cruelty. He has been told that if the
| United States get control of the islands
the Filipinos viii not fare as we'll as they
did under the rule of Spain-that they will
be but little better than slaves. 1t is not
to be wondered at therefore that he should
| hesitate to welcome the Americans.
A large army is needed by Gen. Otis be-
cause he is endeavoring to protect the FIJI
| ipinos against Aguinaldo and his army
Wherever he can he leaves guards, and,
as the country is large there are neces-
sariy many points to guard The Fill
plnos do not fight in the open. They hide
in the swamps and forests and make raids
| on the peaceful Filipinos. and attack our
soldiers whenever they think they can do
so without taking very great risk The
actual situation in Luzon is shown by the
statement of Prof. Worcester that two reg
iments of American soldiers could easily
march to every part of the island without
meeting a force of Insurgents sufficiently
large to stop its progress.
The chief part of Gen. Otis work is to
army and at the same time convince the
inhabitants of the country that the Amer
leans have the most kindly intentions re-
garding them, and, as soon as peace is re-
stored, viii establish government that
will be just and liberal, and In every re-
spect satisfactory to all fair-minded men
among them.
1t is apparent from what Prof. Worces-
ter says that IL the FIipinos We're left to
themselves there would be civil war in the
islands of the most horrible kind, and the
whole country would be ruined. 1t would
be the. greatest kind of mistake therefore
for this country to abandon the islands at
present. II is doubtful If it would be wise
to promise the Filipinos independence
Such promise would not be believed. in
all probability, and would be taken by
the leaders as a confession of weakness on
our part. and of our inability to enforce
our authority. What it will be the best
thing in respect to the islands for us 10 do
is a question to be determined after our
authority in them has been established.