The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-07-05
OPTIMISM RUN MAD.
Some Facts Bearing on the Philippine
Campaign.


There continue to come to hand evl-
dences that the administration is sup
pressing all unfavorable information
about the status in the Philippines.
Here is sample from a Washington
dispatch:
The report of Brig. Gen. T. NJ. An
derson, which, army men declare, Sc
verely criticises Maj. Gen. Otis's con-
duct of the campaign in the Philippines,
will rot be made public by the war de.
partment. 1t is in the possession of
Adjt. Gen. Corbin, who declares that
it is of no public interest.
Gen. Anderson, who is now in COM
mand of the Department Of the Lakes,
headquarters at Chicago, commanded
the First division of the Eighth army
corps under Gen. Otis before being re-
called. A dispatch to the Philadelphia
Times from Hong Kong is likewise en-
tightening. The dispatch says:
The censorship at Manila is so strict
that a meeting of correspondents was
called for today to protest against the
action of the United States military au-
thorities Nothing is allowed to be
sent out on matters which affect the
administration at Washington, and un-
less dispatches are rosy and optimistic
they are not allowed to go. | have
inst ned from Manila, and CORES
pondent submitted his matter only to
have it held up by the authorities:
There is great anxiety on the part OF
the volunteer soldiers to return home,
although any mention of the fact IS
suppressed by the censor. The censor
also prevents the report Of the terrible
suffering from the heat being sent.
Our men drop like sheep from the over
powering influence of the sun. Moth
ing concerning the movements OF the
army is allowed to 80 out, although the
local papers freely use this news. Ca
bling is extremely discouraging under
these circumstances, but it is not at all
likely that any help will come from the
protest to be filed. The officers are
unhopeful Of an early settlement Of the
war, and in their eagerness to keep the
public from obtaining an inkling Of the
state Of affairs, they make free use OF
the Office of press censor.
A South Dakota volunteer, Sergeant
Hugh D. McCosham, has written let
ter to friend in Marinette, Wis, his
old home. McCosham served in Cuba
and reenlisted last fall for duty in the
Philippines. Heis therefore no green
horn nor cry-baby. Under date Of May
- he writes in part:
Two days after San Fernando was
taken our regim ent had but 100 men on
the line, the remainder being dead, sick
or wounded. Gen. Macarthur COM
planned of the number of men sick,
other regiments being in the same
shape as ours, and Maj Potter, with
one surgeon, was sent into Manila to
rush men to the front. Acting under
instructions, he sent lO8 men to the
front. OF Ofthese, thirty were unable to
reach the depot, a mile away, many OF
them fainting on the way, some TWEEN
ty.eight or thirty ultimately arriving at
San Fernando in worse condition than
when sent to Manila, the others being
ordered back by surgeons along the
line Of railroad, who saw at a glance
that they were in precarious condl-
ton.
Further along in the letter, the South
Dakota soldier says:
You Americans shudder at she tyr
amy Of Spain and the cruelty visited
upon the natives of Luzon and Cuba,
but | want to tell you that bright,
brave, young Americans, who volun-
teered to defend their country in the
hour of peril, are giving up their lives
by service in sacrifice to the vanity of
the star bespangled generals and fog
headed, dollar hearted bureau of Off
cials at home. The fierce tropical heat,
the fever cursed atmosphere and the
bullets of the insurgents are working
such havoc among the men. that the
surgeons and nurses are absolutely un-
able to give the sick and wounded the
care they should receive. You may
publish this letter, and my name may
be signed. would face courtmatial
willingly, and prove more than | write,
for I know that it is only by arousing
the sense of the States that We can be
relieved, and to stay much longer will
be the death of most Of US.
The three witnesses examined, an
Amy officer Of high rank, newspaper
correspondent, and one Of the enlisted
men who has seen service, prove that
Gen. Otis has carried his optimism to
an extreme, if nothing else.-The
State