Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-12
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.
Some Impressions Written Home by
the Late Louis p. Smith.

In one Of the last letters written to his
father in Washington by the late Lieuten-
ant Louis P. Smith, assistant surgeon, U.
S. A, who died at Manila, January 8, he
gave some of his impressions Of Philippine
affairs.
Thanksgiving day" he wrote, was cell
ebrated here In good old style by the Amer
leans. Doubtless 1t Is one Of the 'Ameri-
canisms the natives will gladly adopt as
fiesta follows fiesta here, and it's a poor
week that doesn't include one holiday to
the honor of Saint Somebody. and a poor
month that hasn't its succession of holidays
upon which the natives forsake vulgar
work, dress in clean white clothes, and en-
gage in church professions, cockfghts, balls
and gambling with a vim that contrasts
strongly with their indolent efforts for mere
filthy lucre
''Mckinley's election occasioned great re-
jeicing in the Philippines Even before the
election Bryan man was hard to find,
even officers from the south Of lifelong
democratic procllvities freely expressing
their hope Of defeat for their party. Mock
elections held In some of the volunteer reg
iments gave tremendous majorities for Nc
kiniey. In one way or another 1 have
heard discussions by officers from all over
the island, and it is quite evident that Bry-
ans election, after such opinions as he ex-
pressed would have been regarded as a
great humiliation for the American forces.
ne ueStTe dI-'OuS the men mas
not been to yield to the insurrectos, even
If doing so meant a quick trip home, but
rather to eliminate the honey policy which
has prevailed from the start, and which
has been particularly in evidence the last
six months. At present our troops are scat
tered in small bodies of company or less
at a town all over the Philippine Islands.
Great activity in scouting has existed, gen.
orally resulting in the capture after petty
skirmishing of large bodies of armed ma
tives. These prisoners, after a few days or
weeks perhaps of rest and feeding in Ma
promptly returning in many cases to re-
sumo their irregular warfare, which con-
sists in robbing and terrorizng the native
towns and In attempted ambuscades of
small detachments of our troops. You can
imagine the exasperating effect on men
all to do over again where they have earned
a rest. Another important result of this
policy has been that a few cut-throat guer
rilas maintained their holds on towns even
after their own capture, because their
probable release meant murder and pillage
to all who had informed against them or
expressed an interest in the American gov
eminent.
Another pronounced failure has been al
lowing free municipal government. Presi-
denies elected by popular vote have been
time and time again active insurgents and
not the trustworthy men who the military
commanders would have picked out. Hap
PLY Indications point to a change from
this disastrous policy.
by a recent order all members of bands
of armed outlaws are held responsible for
murders by Individual members and while,
perhaps, five hangings occurred during the
year before November a dozen or more
have taken place since and prisoners are
rapidly accommodating in Manila to be de-
ported. it Is said, to other parts"