The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-07
MONDAY. NAY. I. 1900.
Not War, Hut Hunsbug-


We are quite willing TO aoQuit the Presi-
dent of anything worse than political ex-
pediency in his gushing endorsement Of
General Otis as a successful commander
and a brilliant administrator in the Phil
ippines. 1t would hardly do 20 let the
monumental failure come home in disgrace,
after supporting him for a year in defiance
oi ste angry protests OF the whole country.
The pretrnce must be kept up through the
Presidential campaign that Otis has dore
all he says he has; that he has sup
pressed the Tagal insurrection. and the
fruitful Smuggling system at Manila. and
deserves honor and gratitude
1t happens that the public of the United
States has learned the lesson that execu-
tive declarations. and statements for gen
eral consumption, do not invariably agree
with facts. For instance. for oil, sugar,
tobacco. and rum purposes the Admins
tratiOn assures us that the Constitution
does not extend with the flag over Porto
Rico. On the other hand. d Federal court
decides That il does. In the case of the
Philippines. the issue is not quite so clear
ly Joined Mr.. Mckinley is heartily thank
full to Otis for crushing out the rebellion
in Luzon. and. restoring peace and good
order to that island Al the same time,
he agrees with Judge Advocate General
Lieber that state Of war exists in the
Philippines" And this is a very serious
declaration, by the way and one which We
think never should have been made. II
a state of war" exists then the presence
of an enemy organized in a military man
ner and competent to wage war is recog-
nized, and under the clear rule Of inter
national law The declaration entities that
enemy TO the rights of a belligerent An
ordinary. temporary municipal insurrec-
ton is on different footins-on the foot
ing we had always supposed the Aguinaldo
affair to be
Otis is 20 be received with open arms and
promoted for a complete restoration Of au-
thority; Lieber asserts a state Of war. and
the latter is not far wrong as a matter of
physical fact Edwin Wildman. formerly
our Consul at Hongkong in an article on
A Reign of Terror in the Philippines, Sc
printed in "Leslie's Weekly" says:
Although General Otis would have US believe
that the war in the Philippines Is over. / learn
vefitable reign Of terror in most parts of the ar.
cmpellgO within a gunshOt from our army posts.
Either General Otis is blind TO the situation or
Is keeping the real facts from the American peo-
pie AguinaldO's forces have scattered into ma
rzuding bands, and leaguiug themselves with the
mountain tulisannes and ladrones, terrorize the
country and efectusly check the cultivation OF
crops and the sale OF marketable products.
The money paid for thousands OF bales Of
hemp shipped from garrisoned ports has found its
way into the insTgent Golfers. and the Reyolu-
uOnaTy Juntas at Hongkong and Singapore are
making extensive purchases Of arms preparatory TO
new renewed season Of Administering ard general
hostihties as soon a. the rainy season is over
Probably it would not be unreasonable to
assert that. however much the Administra-
tion may try to cover up its Philippine rec
ord. by gliding Otis and denying the history
OF his miserable reign as viceroy and gen
eralissimO, the truth will be known ami
will have to be faced in the impending ma
tional canvass This is certainly not a
pleasant prospect for the Administration.