Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-01-11
OUR FIRST CLASS WAR.

One of the first measures which has
been pressed for passage by Congress
is an increase in tho army to 10000
regular soldiers. 1t was asked of course
what made such an increase necessa
ry? The President in his recent mes
sage had said:
"Our forces have successfully con
trOlled the greater part OF the islands,
overcoming the organized forces OF the
insurgents and carrying order and ad
ministrativc regularity to all quarters
''By the spring of this year the effec.
tive opposition of the dissatisfied
Tagals to the authority of the United
States was virtually ended, thus open
ing the door for tho extension of
stable administration over much OF
the territory of the archipelago.
In addition to this there was cam
paign statement afoat that il Bryan
were defeated Aguinaldo would lay
down his arms. The answer came
through the mouth of Senator Sswell.
of New Jersey. He tells the country
At least some truth when he says;
"There is war going on. A very
serious war" Then he went on to
describe how our soldiers are falling.
He said We have about rs 900 soldiers
now in the Philippines and the "rebel-
lion" is increasing and we must put
IN down, if we are to uphold our flag
there we must have the men to do it.
This is the story that is now bsing
unfolded about our war. We whipped
the Spanish quickly, but we have not
whipped The Philippines, and it will be
years before we do. If we must count
the cost of undertakings, we will make
a sorry show in this one. These islands
cost US $40, 900, 900, or were supposed
to cost that, but that is nothing. We
have spent moro money already than
would build canal across the 18th
mus of Darien, or build four track
ailway from the Atlantic to the Paci-
fic, and yet we have not gotten title
to our purchase. We have got our
flag stuck out there somewhere, but as
for our constitution, it has failed to
connect with the islands so far. 1t
were better for our tax payers that
ws had never seen or heard of these
islands, better that they had had a
veritxble millstone placed about their
nscks, and been cast into the bottom
of the sea. This, however, the country
has known for good while, but the
country did not known the extent OF
the deception rs to the progress of the
| war, nor does it now seem the Presi
dent knew it when he wrote his recent
message, else he would either not have
said anything at all, or he would have
told the facts. Certainly had he moi
been wofully deceived he would never
ha We said: ''Our forces have success
fully controlled the greater part of thu
islands,
Mr.. Hoar. the only Republican o
influence in Congress, who has eve.
seemed to properly measure this ques
ton. or take broad and sensible
view of it, has suggested that we hav'
a conference with the Philippine lead
ers and see what can be done, that W
invite Aguinaldo and lis aids t.
Washington under safe escort and 10
them tell Congress their troubles AM
desires and settle the whole matter
But he il laughed at. There are to
many jobs in sight growing out of thi
matter to allow it to terminate thus
and the goose which is laying the colo
en- egg must not be killed. This is
filthy business, the killing Of thes
poor people, and should DO denOunce
by the people OF the country if OF
leaders do not end it.