The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-10-12
A SINGING REBUKE.
Captain Rice, of WiImar, a Soldier Boy,
Says Suppression of Rebellion
Not Political Issue.

The Wilmar Gazette this week
published letter received by
Gov. A. E. Rice, in command of Co.
M, Thirty Fourth Vol. Infantry
Luzon. The letter will be of interest
as the young man expresses his opin-
ion of the attempt to make the Fill
Pine REBELLION a political issue He
says:
Cabanatuan, P. l., Aug. ID. 1900.-
/ must confess that it is beyond my
comprehension how any true and loyal
American can advocate the cause of
these rebels. The Tagalo is as un-
reliable and treacherous as the Sioux
Indian that killed Custer. Here is an
instance: A native has just been
caught who confessed that he murder
ed two men of the Thirtieth infantry
by pretending to be an "amigo. He
gave them cocoanuts, and while they
were TRANQUILITY drinking the milk he
killed both. We have to be on our
guard constantly against their treach-
erous attacks. This characteristic of
the Tagalo is undoubtedly due to tribal
feuds and centuries of oppression.
Talk of self-government for such
people, why they cannot even fight us
without first having scrap among
themselves. Just before Colonel
Padelic was captured he ambushed
General Morellas and killed him when
Padelio was captured General Lucana
became the whole thing until General
Tecson jumped him. Now he is the
big chief among them, but for how
long2
If..they had government would
not want to be in the country even on
a short trip, for murder, robbery and
looting would be the order of the day.
But in the name of all that is Ameri
can, the people at home who made
prof. Filipino speeches should quit do
ing so for humanity's sake. A great
share of those speeches are translated
and read to the natives and they are
even made to believe that it is the
army which makes war against the
will of the American people, SO that
if the Filipinos fight until after cleo
tion neutrality-suspicious. will be assured
and the army ordered returned to the
United States.
You can thus readily see that these
pro-Filipino speeches are costing many
brave fellow his life, and for every
life thus lost think of the many sad
hearts at home in the states! All
Americans should join in putting
down the rebellion afterwards is am
pie time to decide on how to treat the
islands If then it is the wish of the
people that these rich islands, for whose
liberation so many of Americas sons
have died, should be relinquished,
we'll and good but until this rebellion
is crushed such a move should not
even be considered. Giving these
people absolute control now is not
giving them liberty as we understand
that term but simply the privilege to
abuse whoever they lease. The islands
under American government, with the
greatest amount of self-government
that the natives are capable of, given
to them, will educate them in the art
of civil government and make this
archipelago the cradle of oriental
liberty. Democrat and Republican
ought to unite against the Filipino
rebel and when he has laid down his
arms and is ready to behave himself
then is ample time to discuss what to
do with him. To make this rebellion
against our government a political
party question is terrible.
Do you think it is presumptious on
my part to say this so positively2
believe years linking in the
interior, covering the worst territory
in Luzon, has given me better
chance to learn the Filipino character
than five years of Manila life would
have done. am supported in the con-
victions expressed by the views of men
of age, experience and research.
Why should the life of soldier be
placed in jeopardy by campaign
speeches made in the states for politi
cal effectH We may honestly differ as
to the advisability of retaining the is
lands personally do not see what
else we can do but between the loyal
Americans there should not be the
slightest chance of difference when
it comes to question of defending
the flag against the assault of an
enemy.
CUSHMAN A. RICE.