The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-07
DEFENDS THE SOLDIERS.
Geo. Boardman Says They Should Be
Brought Home.


George Boardman. the recently return
ed member of the United States army.
who has been fighting in the Philippine
islands, has prepared defense OF the
United States soldiers.
Boardman was before the United
States congressional investigating COM
mittee before returning to Topeka, and
gave important testimony. Mr.. Board
mans statement concerning the soldiers
is as follows:
There seems to be some misunder-
standing in regard to my position re-
garding the soldiers of the United States
army.
There can be no higher tribute paid
to man than has been paid by our
liberty-loving people of America to her
dear sons who shouldered the gun and
marched away
They loved US in our going out and in
our comings in, and wish to thank the
true loyal hearts Of this great country
of ours for this feeling and expression
OF respect.
I know and feel that we have never
fallen short doing just as you would have
done had you been with US in those
trying hours so far from friends and
home. feel that the allied forces OF
China expressed the whole truth when
they gave the United States soldiers the
credit of more humanity than any
other soldiers in the war with China.
Nowhere in all my travels over the
earth did I meet with anyone who de-
plored the actions of the United States
soldiers. They know too well thai
those boys of ours who fought so valiant
ly in China would not do anything that
would be unjust or unmanly. They had
watched them in their humanity to-
ward a weaker people. They know
those boys Of ours are humanity per-
sonified
1 deplore the fact that our own peo-
pie catch at threads to criticise our own
flesh and blood who are standing be-
tween life and death.
Newspapers and men have maligned
me and publicly announced that I was
trying to destroy the good name of the
soldier. I deny such an assertion and !
condemn the newspapers Of our country
which ruthlessly handled facts to give
political coloring.
I have been the keenest friend of the
soldier because I have been a soldier
myself. Never will I pluck one flower
from the grave of him who lies buried
for so noble a cause as offering his life
for his country.
I ask sympathy for him who walks to
and fro beneath those tropic suns; who
meanders tired and heart-aching along
those silent paths In the dead of night.
l plead with you to write to that heart
aching boy. Send him word of COM
fort and cheer. Think Of it dear
mother! Have you q son? May God
spare him for you. Think of it, sister.
Have you dear brother in that far of
land? In the name OF humanity may
he be able to embrace you and say. 81
love you, dear sister. have fought foI
my country and for my God" Think OF
1T, sweetheart Have you pictured g
manly fellow shou1dering his gun and
marching at his country's call. 1 know
you will say. 1.-THE soldier-right OF
wrong. the soldier
l have a proposition to make to the
thinking, reasoning American: Let us
get these dear flesh Of our flesh, blood OF
our blood. out Of there. Let US moi
tempt these good hearted, manly fell
lows by compelling them to stay Out
there in that condition Let us put ouI
constitution on the end Of our gun In
stead Of behind our gun.
Then we will have no more trouble in
the Philippines.
Six million Philippine people ask fol
American occupation Less than 1900 00t
sly no. Should we not establish a state
hood when over three-fourths ask for il
The soldiers function is destruction
The teachers function is civilization
The soldier carries with him the fear
lessness of purpose. He is not baid fos
anything else, and in fact we can expect
nothing else. The world is his: he
takes it; he fought and many have died
for 1t. Can it possibly be anything OF
anybody else's.
Give the people the constitution and
you can withdraw this brave fighting
man; withhold it, and you do it at the
peril Of the life and blood of the
best man on earth, the fighting man.
I don't blame the soldier for taking
everything he can find. 1t belongs to
him. 1t is his; let him get it by fair
and war;"
CEOpNE DnApnxaAHr