The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-03-30
The March of Empire.

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Sec.-"Do you know you are putting
yourself in a serious predicament, and
can tell you that you have done well
to have proof for the damnable charges
you have brought against an officer OF
the insular government. Lieutenant
Commander Braunersreuther has al
ways had the reputation of an honest
and capable official, and if you cannot
bring proof to this slanderous article,
it will go hard with you. How many
days do you need to bring proOf?"
Rice-"Three days.
Sec.-''Very we'll that will be the GOTH;
and mind you, if you cannot bring
proof to the allegations you have made,
drastic measures will be used in your
case. The military must be protected,
and if you do not bring good and suffi-
cient proof on the date named, your
youthful career will be marred by few
years in Bilibid (the jaiD. Do you un-
derstand the seriousness of this mat
| ter?"
Receives, sir. When will you have
| the allegations ready?
Sec-"This afternoon. The matter
may be taken out of my hands and Civ
en- to Major Mills, acting inspector
general of the division, as 1 am very
busy at present. In that case it will be
entirely in his hands. Now, young
man, I warn you that if you publish
another article relating to the office Of
the captain of the port before this mat
ter is settled, you will be placed in the
public jails of Manila. Do you UNDER
stand?"
! Rice-"You undoubtedly have the
power to put me in the public jails of
Manila, but that will not hinder my
writing up any discrepancy that may
come to my notice in the office of the
captain of the port. hold some rights
as an American citizen. If you would
read President McKinley's letter to the
civil commissioners, you will note that
the Constitution of the United States is
quoted in the matter Of free press and
free speech. You can put me in Jail,
but it will not end there"
| Sec.-"You are not the same now as
you would be in the United States,
where you may SANDER with impunity.
You are under martial law, and under
that law we mean to protect the mill
tary.''
He then called the clerk, and said:
| II repeat it, and wish you to bear
witness: If George T. Rice publishes
another article in any paper concern
ing the office of the captain Of the port
before this matter is settled, I will put
him in the public jails of Manila"
The case was subsequently placed in
the hands Of Major c. S. Mills, inspect
or-general, where he reported by re-
quest on December 26th and was pre-
sented with the allegations drawn up
and numbered, to which he was re-
quested to make written replies, name
his witnesses, etc., which he did, CIV
ing details of overcharges on pilotage
and moorage, a rough draft of which
was presented to Major Mills, few
corrections made at the majors sug-
gestion, and a type written copy made
by Rice and delivered to the major on
January. 9Th. 81 - :. 3S;@5z a5zzs7 g
Mr.. Rice heard nothing more official
ly of the investigation" until January
23rd, but learned that Major Mills had
visited but two of the firms whose
names Rice had given, these being
Smith, Bell & Co. and Warner, Barnes
&, Co., whose representatives told Rice
THAT they had stated to to Maj. Mills ex-
Iactly what they had previously stated
to Rice. They could not, Mr.. Rice says,
have given half as much evidence as
H. G. Ferris & Co. could have done,
but they were not asked, Major Mills
time in the investigation being princi-
pally spent at the office of the captain
of the port.
In this interval two articles were
published in the Bulletin in regard to
the slOvenly manner in which the cap
tain of the port conducted his office.
On January 29rd, by request, Mr.. Rice
! went to Colonel Crowder's
office, when that official turned sharp
ly to him and said:
Don't you think you are wrong in
this matter?" (showing the papers).
Rice-"No, SIR
Sec.-"Then you still think you are
right?"
Rice-"Yes, sir; know I am
| oCC.| dAl SOiEy you, young
man; if you still persist in saying you
are right, my orders are from General
Macarthur to deport you.''
Rice-"If you will give me fair trial
in court I will prove that am right
Sec.-"Under martial law such char
acters as you receive no trial. We have
mot the time."
Rice-"Can't see the evidence in the
investigation which you claim proves
my charges false?''
Sec.-"No; the investigation was
placed in competent hands and does
not need your approval. Your state
ments have been proven to our salts
faction to be without foundation and
you will be deported as an incendiary
J character and menace to the military
situation. You are too young to let &C
on slandering men of honesty and cap.
ability, and I consider your character
; as having fallen to it's lowest level. In
, writing and publishing such articles
! you endanger the foundation of Oul