Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-19
Tne lLanila Americanl

also reap" This truism applies to nations
/ as well as to individuals and the govern
ment-Of the United States is neither so great
/ nor so exalted as to be exempt from this
inexorable law.
So far as the Philippines are concerned,
I the officers and men who served in these is
lands during the Spanish American War
and in the subsequent insurreclion, have
claims which should not be ignored When
/ the nation needed their services they
thrust aside all thought Of ease and
comfort; they left fair homes, bright
prospects, opportunities of obtaining
wealth and advancement, and went
forth 10 fight and die, perhaps, for the old
flag In a strange land, across the ocean,
under trying conditions, horrors of war,
they faithfully performed the arduous duties
assigned him. They did their work we'll
You deserve we'll Of your country
ITO you the nation owes a debt of graft
tude, which, do what it may. it can never
repay"
These words and expressions of even
stronger import, were used by the Com
handing General in his addresses to regi-
ments that we're on the eve of returning to
the United States. The bravery and self
sacrifice, the skill, energy and endurance
Of the men who wore the uniform have
given to the United States additional pos
sessions of incalculable value. The valor,
enterprise, intelligence and determination
Of American soldiers aud sailors have added
these islands to Uncle Sans domain and
through their efforts it is possible to spread
higher civilization in these parts The
world has appauded the achievements of
American troops and throughout the earth
Americas s fame has increased because Of
what they have done And if there is any
place on this planet where those who have
served their country faithfully, heroically
and well should be honored, respected and
rightly treated it is over here.
But have discharged soldiers received
what was due them in the Philippine Is
lands? Have they been shown the courtesy
and consideration which they should have
received Has any substantial benefit ac-
crued TO them because of their service
Have they received that which was virtually
promised them or that, which according to
every established precedent, they had
right to expect
truthful answer TO all such questions is
worse than repetition of the old, old story
of unappreciated service and self-sacrifce
In the estimation Of certain people who
have had great deal to say in the Philip.
pines discharged soldier was a suspicious
character A discharge which certified to
honest and faithful service aud an excel
lent character was accounted Of less value
than a cedula which any Filipino could
procure for a peseta. To show the feeling
that prevailed, just one case need be cited,
A sergeant who was discharged by reason
of wounds incurred in the line Of duty (his
left knee was perforated by Mauser bullet
and he is a cripple for life,) once applied
for license to open a restaurant in the
Walled City On his excellent discharge
was inscribed numerous battles and skir-
mishes, and he had letter Of recommend
alton from his company commander and the
colonel Of his regiment and 1t was of record
that he had served honestly and faithfully
for fourteen years in the United States
Army. He did not want to sell liquor. All
that he asked for was a license to bake
bread and serve rieals, and there was no
good reason for refusing his application.
Nevertheless his application for license
was denied, ostensibly because 1T was not
the policy Of General Otis to encourage
Americans TO go into business over here"
When the sergeant was refused permission
to open a restaurant and bakery, the place
So he forfeited two months rent, which he
had paid in advance and returned to the
United States. week or so later saloon
was opened at the place where the sergeant
intended to establish his bakery. The man
who obtained the saloon license was an ex-
convict who came to the Philippines be-
cause he was dsported from Singapore.
How and why the soldiers discharged in
Il of
pay" which was previously allowed, has
never been satisfactorily explained. But 1t
is generally believed that the scheme was
originated by General Otis.
The Thirty-sixth and Thirty seventh In
fantry and the Eleventh Cavalry, volunteer
regiments, were organized in the Philippine
Islands, and it was held that volunteers
and volunteer regulars who reenlisted in
these regiments were entitled to travel pay
from Manila TO San Francisco, and this was
paid as the law provides, the distance
being computed according to the shortest
travelled route" That these payments
should be made evidently grieved the eco
nomical soul of General Ois. AT any rate,
it is reported that he provided himself
with pencil, paper, maps and a table of dis
tance, and he figured on the problem.
| Ocean currents nor trade winds did not
enter into his calculation in determining
the length of the voyage across the Pacific
| Ocean. He took a short cut" as he de-
scribed it, and by going on a "hypothetic-
ally straight line" he was enabled TO
shorten the distance SO as to save $28 on
| private's travel pay" from Manila to San
Francisco. And he ioyfully announced the
results the next morning. When men
about TO re.enlist learned that they would
receive less travel pay than those who
joined few days before had received, there
was an expression Of indignation. They
felt that such course was manifestlY un-
fair and the recruiting Offices were less fire.
quented. In those days when a soldier was
discharged here, in lieu Of travel pay he
received a certificate which entitled him TO
go home on any transport within a year.
But the returning transports were always
crowded, and for all to obtain immediate
transportation to the United States was out