The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-03-07

Idaho Falls Times.

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orders until further orders. The
latest one is for every soldier to
remain within bugle call of quar-
tiers; to have his haversack filled
with a hundred rounds of catrid-
ges, and to be ready to fall in
and go to the trenches at NOM
ent's notice. Maybe this is just
a little truce to keep the soldiers
near about, but it looks to me as
though the war lords were not
exactly certain about the AMIGA
bility of the insurgents.
Gen. Otis, military governor,
issued a proclamation on Jan. A,
in which he says that pursuant
to instructions from the Presi-
dent of the United States, he is
directed ito publish and pro-
claim in the most public manner
to the inhabitants of these is
lands that in the war against
Spain, the United States forces
came here to destroy the power
of that nation and to give the
blessings of peace and individual
freedom to the Philippine people;
that we are here as friends of
the Philippines, to protect them
in their homes, their employ.
ments, their individual and re-
ligious liberty; that all persons
who, either by active aid or hon
est endeavor cooperate with the
government of the United States
to give effect to these bene6cent
purposes will receive the reward
of its support and protection.
The proclamation created sur
prise among the Spaniards, dis
sent among the Philippines, but
warmly seconded by all Ameri-
cans. But there was sensation
for all the next morning. Tack
ed up by the side of Gen. Otis
proclamation was another proc
lamation, addressed to the people
of the Philippines, and signed by
the insurgent general, his "Ex-
cellency" the President of the
Philippine Republic" Aguin-
aldo.
The proclamation first objects
to Gen. Otis styling himself the
governor general of the Philip
pines, and asserts that both the
army and navy of the United
States have recognized the insur-
gent leaders in various functions
and the Philippine flag on sew
eral occasions. He protests
against what he calls the ''intru-
sion" of the United States and
states that the Philippine people
have entrusted to him their hon
or and their liberty and he will
maintain it to the death.
There has been demonstrations
of approval, big parades and
cheers for ''independci y ell pres
idente Aguinaldo." "Mucha
combate, POGO tempo" say the
Philippines. Well, so be it. Its
a game that two can play at, but
we feel sorry for the poor devils;
we pity their ignorance and lack
of judgment.
The papers have it that, bar
ring war with the Philippines,
and the retaining of reserve
force on the islands. the volun-
teers will be on their way home
within four months. Would to
God that it were true, say l, and
so hopes every man in the Idaho
regiment. If every man in the
command were the happy poss-
essor of an Aladdin lamp and
that by rubbing it, as did the
peasant son of a Chinese widow,
they could command the servic-
es of a dozen genii, they would
use their omnipotence to get
them mustered out just as quick
as the war lords could do it.
They are heartily tired of this
land
OF heat and dust and coolie work and sun;
OF vipers flies and sand storms OF cholera
and thirst,
and long to exchange their
Strin NJ rcd hot ea ND Min N .,a,.,, -. us.A.