The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1899-07-22
sOIDTEas OPPOsE EXPANSION.
Supported the Flag and Enlisted to
Fight the Spaniagds.
rHE BOYS AR ANXIOUS 70 cOnE HonE.

Continuous Services Since fighting Began Has
Thinnsd the Ranks ofthe Ldahos-
MANILA, =. l., May 20, 1899.
EDITOR PREss:-The OregOns have
been doing some vigorous kicking since
their return from the front, because
they had been held five weeks on the
firing line and In the trenches, and had
been In twenty two engagements, In
Guiding skirmisbes. The engagements
could not have been OF very great mag
nitude. considering that the loss TO the
Oregons in killed and wounded does
not foot up man 70 the engagement,
but engagements At the present time
are not like engagements Of a genera
ton on more ago, when the dead, after
q battle, strewec the ground as thickiy
as leaves after an autumn gale.
The Nebraskas, the North Dakotas
and the Idahos have been on the firing
line and In the trenches continuously
since the fighting began In February
and the duty is beginning AT last TO tell
on them. Company b OF Idaho has
twenty-three men for duty out Of
total Of seventy-fve: other companies
proportionately. Unless some move is
made TO get us in very shortly, few viii
be able TO go on board ship when the
time comes to return 10 the United
States.
don't know how the policy of vii
liam the Expander strikes you or your
readers, but l do know that not one
soldier in thousand on this island is
In favor Of the policy Of the administra-
tion. While they are here they are
unanimous in support Of the dag, but
do not consider that their support car
ries with it the right to enslaye the
Filipinos. Were the troops which are
now here-I speak of She volunteers
needed to support the administration
on the lines started out on at the begin
ming OF the Spanish war,
none would hesitate to reenlist for as
long time AS the government required
our services; but when it comes TO con-
quering and enslaving a nation which
we originally came to free. many would
hesitate. But as it is We are here. I'm
fortunately for our nation. the stars
and stripes were flung TO the breeze
here as the eonquerors Of nation
would unfurl their flag, and be it said
20 the shame aEd disgrace Of our PEG
pie, IL will have TO stay. Unfortun,
ately we got "in the soup" and we must
see that peace and order is maintained
until such time as the Filipinos are
able TO govern themselves, which will
not be short Of quarter Of century.
Possibly by the expiration Of that time
the expansionists will incubste some
scheme by which these Islands in the
far East viii be at the mercy of the
trusts and combines which go TO make
up a great nation.
| Understand me, and believe ME when
/ assure you | am as patriotic now as
ever was, but lei me assure you also
that never would have enlisted had !
known my services were for the pur-
pose OF enslaving those we come to
free.
Unfortunately for our government as
well as for the Filipino people. the hos:
Utilities began before all peaceable
means by diplomacy had been ex-
hsasted. Some may agree, and with a
degree Of reason, that no diplomacy
was needed, nor could any have been
exercised, without acknowledging, by
treating with the Fiiipiuos. that there
was such a government as the Filipino
Republic. Still maintain that had a
little more discretion been used by our
administration. this last war would pot
have been precipitated; but since it
has been forced upon us. we can do
nothing less than conquer the insur
gents aud teach them self government,
or like the Arab fold our tents and
steal silently away" The latter viii
not be done aud there's the end ont"
The Idahos are still in the trenches,
as hiNo "uA N"Nt "ua hANSIhiANSs bAA
dame rumor has it that we viii be re.
turned to brracks tomorrow or 10y
June LIST to remain until the date set
for our departure June IS.
None of the Occur d'Alene boys are
in the hospital except Fred Farr. Guy
overstreet and Herman Wilde are in
the FIRST reserve hospital, and Bert
Weeks is on Corregidore island where he
is convalescing, While none are seri.
ouslv sick, the doctors think IL best not
to let them go to the front
Capt, Graham has taken charge Of
company c, and although the duty is
severe, he still tips the beam at 22S.
We trust we will be home by August
LIST. To tell you the truth l must get
there not later than the 18th any way,
for il the court knows herself grouse
and pheasanls win be just ripe,
This will likely be my last letter ere
returning home, so will close by assur.
ing the mothers, wives. sisters and
sweet hearts of the Kootenai boys that
they will welcome the return of their
loved ones no more sincerely than sthe
boys pray for a speedy return.
WILLIAM NJ. PTPKIN
Glorious News
Comes from Dr. ID. d. Cargile, WASH