The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-04-26
Aftermath of "war for Humanity
From the Baltimore sun.

The revelation by an official report of the govern
of province, himself an army officer, by the
testimony of private soldiers given before the Sen
ate committee and by the frank confessions of Off
GERS on trial by court-martia in Manila more than
confirm the charges that extreme cruelty has been
practiced upon the natives by the American troops
in the Philippines.
Some of us may have forgotten how the people of
the United States stirred to righteous fndigna
ton by the punishment inflicted by Weyler upon
the Cubans; how we denounced him as second
Duke of Alya. pointed out the strain of cruelty in
Spanish blood and termed the Governor-General
'The Butcher" How much fun was made of his
typewriter manifestoes" and how many articles
showed the injustice of his suppression of the truth
And when the news came that 100000 Cubans had
died result of his policy of Recommendation,
budding the people in towns like penned cattle,
the nation was moved to pity and stirred to war;
1t was no common war of conquest, no war OF de-
Tense of states or resentment of invasion OF right
war it was, undertaken in the manner OF the Cru
sades-a "war for humanity"
By the fortunes of this crusade, which was in
spired by the obest emotions of the free and brave
(see resolutions of Congress and prospectus of said
war; we came into possession ofa varied assortment
of islands located the other side of the world.
Inspired by desire to bring these dark spots under
commissioners at Paris forced $40 900 upon Spain
as generous gift for, according 60 this authority
the islands were already ours.
The glad Sunlight of Liberty was deemed a little
too strong for the natives to stand If 1t were all
turned on at once. So 1t was decided to give them
pumping American ideas into them using Krag-
Jorgensen rifles as hypodermic syringes; while ideas
of civil government were scattered broadcast with
the Calling gun.
After while it was found that General Weyler's
policy of Recommendation, instead OF being an
engine of cruelty, was an excellent metnod 70
gather the natives together that they could study
and ponder the benefits of Western CIVILIZATION TO
the nerves OF the American people the sr1ctes
censorship upon news was maintained, and an ed :
itor who dared tell the truth about the situation
was either deported or placed under the care OF
jaier for instruction in the moderate use OF the
English language.
General Weyier's system of pacification was soon
found inadequate and the facile minds OF our war
riors for humanity were turned to improvements
of Filipino traitors were incidents that led up
to the brilliant stroke by which Americans, dis
guised in the uniforms OF their opponents, whcn
happens to be forbidden by the rules of war. cap
tured the native President amid applause and ac-
claim. The shooting of natives without trial ap-
pears not to have been uncommon, and the burning
of towns has ceased to be of enough importance to
be recorded.
But the climax of American invention in this
aftermath of this war for humanity is the water
cure" This seems to be now the generally accept
ed method of benevolent assimilation" effective
when the patient RECEIVERS and when he dosen't it
removes an enemy to liberty and a man who was
without proper moral PERCEPTION.
How can the Administration defend this war IN
the Philippines? How can the natives ever be ex-
pected to appreciate American intentions when
they read the proclamations of benevolence in the
light of their burning homes? How can they per-
ceive the benefits of autonomy when 100000 OF them
die in one province starved by Recommendation and
struck down by the careless bullets ofarrogant con-
querors? 1t is the most Illuminating record Oh
cruelty in the pages of our national history.
The Duke of Alva himself would have hesitated
to give an order that no prisoners be taken ana
every person ten years of age be put to death
And yet he made desolation and called 1t peace