The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-06
a BLOODY CnMEnx-

II Is announced that Senator Teller's
resolution of inquiry into the circunl-
stances of the deportation of Editor
Rice, formerly of Manila, was agreed to
without debate. There is nothing about
the circumstance which should deter the
organs of public opinion from discussing
the proposition involved with the utmost
energy, if need be. The action of the
authorities of Manila in this case has
been remarkable We hope that even on
the stress of military necessity the de-
tenders of the administration will be able
to Justify it, 1t comes to the American
understanding as involving a course Of
conduct which is utterly at war with all
American conceptions of the treatment to
which the American citizen is entitled.
Every friend of free civil institutions
viii be, glad to record the fact that the
measure of Senator Teller was agreed to-
1t is well that it should have been. The
administration will doubtless find, that
agreed to or not, it is destined to create
a very intense feeling of wrong among
the people ofthe United States.
> Were everything which is urged against
the man Rice proven to be true, it will
require very much more extended edu-
cation than they have yet been subjected
to before Americans are found willing to
believe that on any spot of earth rec
cgnizing the jurisdiction of American
laws and institutions, civil or military,
it is possible to treat one of them as this
man has been treated.
1t is needless to say that it does not
matter whether his criticisms of the ad
ministratioh of affairs was just or I'M
just The fact that the free expression Of
a mans opinions is to result in his be-
ing torn away from his home and as
sociations shows that he is the victim
of tyranny and renders the action taken
utterly inadmissibIe
The news comes to us that within
forty-eight hours another man has been
shipped from Manila to the island of
Guam. His offense Is substantially the
same as that of Editor Rice This is a
fitting supplement to what has already
taken place. The American people do
not much care what the quar-
rels Of the officials in the
Philippines may be with the natives.
Whatever system of management
they may choose to adopt to-
ward those natives must always re-
main a matter of consideration. But
when an American citizen engaged in
the lawful pursuit of his calling, as
Americans regard the question of lawful
ness, is taken and transported away from
his home as the result of his expression
of opinion, it is not surprising if there is
a disposition to revolt on the part of the
average American man
The truth of the matter is that the
American people are thoroughly tired Of
this bloody comedy which is being en-.
acted in their name in the Orient 1t ia
not only bloody and expensive but it tss
bringing discredit on the national name.
and is bringing the>settlement of matters
not one iota nearer than it was one
month after the American army assumed
control over the affairs or the city of
Manila
If the national administration under
stands what is necessary to its comfort
and success it will get rid speedily of
the necessity, real or supposed, of ship
ping men like Rice away from Their
friends and their homes merely
in response to the feeling that existing
officials are being severely and, perhaps,
unjustly criticised.