The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-21
~ "a EaItor q I'D Intelllreneer.

10 tie Editor Of the Intelligsneer
sIR:-The people OF this country have
been led to suppose that the war in the
Philippines was confined to the Island
Of Luson. and that armed resistance to
the authority of the United states did
not exist in other Islands Of the archi-
pelago. but that the natives of those is
lands were friendly to Americans, and
ready to accept any sort Of government
that might DO offered to them. The
truth IL this condition does not exist,
and while actual hostillties are sus-
pended In such localities, the inhabl-
tants are far from being pacifled, and
wherever We have occupied an island
oAtside OF Lbzon we find a hostile pop
uiation and organized military forces
70 oppose our occupation.
II Is true that the principal army Of
the Insurgents is concentrated in the
nelghborhood Of Manila on the island Of
Luzon, and in the event Of Its defeat or
dispersion continuation OF the war on
other islands may be rendered impossl-
bic. but at the present time detach-
ment Of our army occupying a position
on the island OF Panay where a land
ing was made near Jaro over six
months ago. are stlll confronted by an
organized army of natives of over
whelming numbers. and are unable to
assume aggressive operations on ac-
count OF the inadequacy Of our force
consisting now only Of the Eighteenth
REGIMENT OF regular infantry, and as q
result our troops simply hold a line
Of entertainments In the outskirts OF
Jaro; and the natives occupy similar
works few miles distant. where they
seem to be content to patiently await
the decimatlng effects of tropical
climate on the health OF American SOL
oilers, The depressing effects Of such
inactivity on the courage and enterprise
Of our troops is difficult to realize, and
this splendid regiment of regulars,
whose record in the civil war, and In
many hard fought Indian campaigns is
unsurpassed in history, is now Lam
gushing in the rife pits OF Jaro be-
cause the lack OF reinforcements rem
ders aggressive operations impractical
BILE
what is the remedy for this state of
afairs? Plainly, 1t is only to be found
in raising an army equal to the task Of
subjugation, II the policy Of the govern
y,snt Il 10 enforce the will Of the ma
tion by the arbItrament of arms. The
President is authorized by the provls'
Ions of the Hull army bill to organize
a volunteer force of 5000 men. He has
wisely decided to reinforce the Philip
pine army to the extent Of twelve reGi-
nents of infantry that will be prepared
to take the field by the time the rainy
season is ended and new campaign
inaugurated, but It is a question II even
this force will be sufficient to quell the
rebellion which II stamped out in Luzon
Is liable to spread to adjacent islands
and drag It's slow length along. Gener-
al Lawton, who Is the peer of any off,
Ger In or out Of the army in fighting
savage and uncivIlIzed enemies, and
who captured Geronimo and conquered
the desperate tribe Of ApUches in Ari-
zoua a few years ago. has declared that
100000 men win be required to end the
Philippine revolt. Should not the
Judgment Of such experienced officers
be accepted as correct, and in the light
Of such testimony is It not the dictates
Of wisdom to provide such n force as
VIM end the struggle in single CAM
palEn. and not permit our gallant SOL
dlers to sacrifice their health and lives
by a protracted war in the deadly cll-
mate OF the tropics. II our government
and people are not prepared to carry on
n war Of such magnitude involving as 1t
Will an immense expenditure Of life
and treasure, then It is manltestly the
duty of the administration to seek to
terminate hostllltIes and negotiate a
peace based on the early recognition Of
the Independence Of the FllIpinos, un-
der adequate guarantees Of protection
to all American and foreign interests
IN the archipelago. and satisfactory
compensation for the expense Oh Nle
war, Including an indemnity Of the
sum paid to Spain for relInquishlns her
sovereignty over the islands.
Reduced to simple proposition the
American government must conquer
in the philippines either by waging
relentless war, or by exercising the
arts Of diplomacy and extending to our
late allies and present foes the right
hand Of fellowship with the assurance
that the immortal principles Of our dec
Iaration Of independence shall not be
withheld from them, and It Is the func-
ton of our wise and patriotic PresI-
dent his cabinet officers and the sena-
tors and representatives in Congress
whose Judgment is valued by the exec
utlye. to determine which Of these pol
icies is best adapted to promote the
welfare of all our people. 1t is Grim
iual error to mlsrepresent the actual
military and political situation in the
philippines. and by resorting to meth
DDS for suppressIng the truth we simply