The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-04
OUR SOLDIERS In THE PHILIPPINES

Two letters from Indiana soldiers in the
Philippines, published in yesterdays Jour-
nal. are deserving of notice. The writer of
one is private in the Twentieth Infantry
OF the regular army and the other is a SER
geant IN the Fortieth United States Volun-
teers. There is no Indiana regiment in the
Philippines, but there are enough Indiana
make regiment, and whenever they are
heard from they talk like good soldiers and
true patriots. Private Lincoln writes that
'the conditions around Manila are improv-
ing every day, the soldiers and natives be-
coming more friendly. the latter settling
down to their vocations as civilians and
realizing the honesty and grandeur of old
glory" He says the better class of Fill
pinos are now loyal to the United States.
their only fear being that this government
may relinquish control and leave them in
deplorable state, as they certainly would
be were the United States to withdraw its
forces. He compares Aguinaldo and his
followers to train wreckers who care moth
ing for the loss Of life they may cause If
they can only reap a harvest of plumber.
says the writer, 81 cannot fathom. OF all
the monstrosities have ever seen or heard
Of he is the oldest" The comparison of
Aguinaldo and his followers TO train
wreckers is a happy one, the motives in
each case being equally selfish, desperate
and mercenary
Sergeant Rouzer censures the course of
those persons in this country who are CIV
ing aid and comfort to the insurgents, and
says the majority of the soldiers, especial
ly those from Indiana, of whom there are
many in both the regular and volunteer
armies. deeply deplore and resent the at
titude taken by few of our senator's" He
says the prevailing sentiment among the
soldiers is one Of determination to uphold
the honor of the flag and the authority of
the government. He adds:
My comrades and myself are disappoint-
ed In the lack of news in home papers rela-
tive to the Philippines. We realize that the
Philippine question has long since become
stale with the majority of Americans. but
We are anxious to know in what light we
.
for we have not lost interest in America.
The spirit of both OF these letters is high
| ly creditable to the writer's and shows
they are actuated by as high a sense OF
duty and patriotism as the highest officer
In the army. The paragraph above quoted
| discloses some anxiety on the part of the
| soldiers to know what is thought of them
| and their work "at home" Considering
| the circumstances. their distance from
| home and the meagerness of the news they
| receive. this is a very natural feeling. No
| doubt they see some anti-eSpansion litera-
| ture sent there for circulation by Amer
| icau Bryanites and Agunaldists, and they
/ wonder how much of that sentiment there
| is in the United States. They wonder if
| their services and sacrifices in defense Of
| the flag and the authority of the govern
ment are appreciated. They ought not TO
| be left in doubt on the subject. The friends
| Of the soldiers and of the administration
| should make special efforts TO see that
| they are strongly Endorsed by every Re
| publican convention and meeting. and that
| these Endorsements are brought to their
notice. Congress should not adj,urn with.