The sun., 1900-10-17
Mr.. Bryan and Our Army in the
Philippines.


1T il astonishing how little information
great man can sometimes have, said
Mr. BRYAN in his speech at Trinway on
Saturday last OF the truth of that propo-
sltion he IS himself about the best illustra-
ton that has been furnished in American
politics. His recent declaration that the
Republican President had no Philippine
policy. in the face of Mr.. MCKINLEY's letter
of acceptance. Is a striking instance OF this.
but no gave still more recent one in a
speech made at Mansfield only few hours
after he left Irinway, when he attempted
TO reply to Governor ROOSEVELT on the
bill for the increase OF the army.
Mr.. BRYAN has been trying to convince
the American people that their liberties are
in danger, because their Representatives
In Congress authorized the increase of the
army to 10000 men. for the purpose Of
putting down the rebellion in the Philip
pines. lie seems to be imbued with the
idea that any man who is willing to fight
for the sovereignty OF his country must
necessarily be an incpient traitor. OF
course Mr.. BRYAN'S proposition Is alb
surd. The American people have had
some experience as to the danger Of volun-
teer soldiers We had them in the Revolu-
ticnIry War; we had them In lSl2-l4; We
had them in the Mexican War; In the Civil
War we had them by the million; yet We
are a free people.
Ii would seem superfluous to reply to
Mr.. BRYAN's vatonations on this subject.
but Governor ROOSEVELT has noticed them
on one or two occasions, and the other day
he reminded Mr. BRYAN that If there really
was any danger in the case, the Democrats
were at least as responsible for il as the
Republicans inasmuch as the bill which
created this army was reported by a
Democrat, Senator CocKRELL Of Missouri.
and voted for by Democrats in both
houses.
Now. how does Mr.. BRYAN reply to this?
just as he answered the charge that he was
responsible for the ratification OF the Treaty
of Paris, whose obligations he now repu-
dates He puts in his fayorite plea of
confession and avoidance. He admits
the truth Of Governor RoosEyELT's asser-
ton, but declares that the Cockrell bill
was substitute for the bill which had
passed the House, and which he says pro-
yided for a permanent increase Of the army.
while the Cockrell bill expires next year.
But Mr.. BRYAN omits to mention the very
important fact that it Is the army created
by MIR. CocKRELLs bill that Is now in
existence, and that he has been abusing
throughout his campaign, at one time as
oilers and at another as assa.sins. Gov
ernor ROOSEVELT having convicted him Of
the charge that he has been denouncing
The work Of his party associates, he now
sets up the defllnct House bill a. a man OF
straw and proceeds TO annihilats the imag-
inary cuiprit.
In this same Mansfield speech Mr. BRYAN
said.
,,.,s,, s..,,s, ,r,s ,,.t ,n,,, wi, n, ,,o,,s,,
n N, phrnp,n,s n tn, treaty wa, confirmed why.
is II possltl, that when the President entered upon
his colonial policy h. kssw there would be trouble
in the PhIl'ppIn' h1ahds, "ha' becomes OF the
'isu'n'n' ''"' w. 80 W.
,,.,crc,sga,nst imp,r,a,lsn,"
"na' peooii'e' VI uio org uiieh', "ny'
reiilUr' on u'"i,7"',ou' 'hoic'iish'
o' tho nlo' ""o' "n''' '''eI, 'ouh'ryhsh
are ngl'tiiE 10 pIe7ei'o ,ne 'o'srssh'y
OF the uhl'eu 7"V'9 anu u's honor OF is
rag are oAulhs anu aoe'.lnS AGuiNALpo 5