The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-02

But Darochial schools must be put out OF
commission before much progress can be
made in this direction. In fact every
thing that will widen the gulf between
the reign of the church and the new regi-
me will prove beneficial OF the Filipino.
In order to effect the necessary radical
changes and begin the work of reform
without delay We need a stern, unforgiv-
irg policy We must show these natives
that although the Americans are broad
and enlightened people and naturally mer
ciful they will not stand for an abuse of
confidence or recourse to treachery in
the field or in Office. If we could effect
reforms by kindness it would doubtless
be desirable: but past experience has
taught US that to confer Kindness on an
ordinary Filipino is like petting a po1s-
onous snake.
The Case of Major Waller.
The recent arraignment of Major Wal
Ter OF the marine corps, for ordering sew
eral native packers shot for deserving the
marines in an hour of need, is typical of
what certain class that is to be found 3
here as well as in the United States is
trying to do. 1t is hardly necessary to
say that this class as a whole has no
more conception of the rigors of warfare,
especially savage warfare, than the writer
has in regard to the mechanism of an
airship to be invented one hundred yearo
hence. Z
dying by inches a detachment of mar
| ines was lost in the Jungle of ssmar. Cow
| cred with hideous ulcers and gasping for
water, the soldiers were PROSTATE upon
/ the narrow trail During the hours of
| their suffering, the coward1y packers de-
serted in body and as they moved away
they tainted our weakened men with
such words as these:
You will die here; then Lucban will
| get your rifles and ammunition. All
Americans are bad and all who come to
Samar will die
/ SIS it any wonder that Waller swore
! vengeance against the treacherous knavesz
| and when kind fortune allowed him to
lead his weakened and depleted band into
| Bassay, he issued orders that the Offend
/ ing packers should be apprehended and
shot? Then the class above referred to
| set up hue and cry for Walters court
martial. He was! called eowardly and
brutal his venerable head was bowed
with shame. He had shot treacherous ma
tives who were in the pay of the American
| government because they led his men
and himself into trap and left them to
die He had furnished an example that is
still working for good in Samar. There is
not much danger that native packers will
desert weakened soldiers in the future.
This example is only one of many. 1t is
conspicuous because Waller is to be court
martia1ed, but it is safe to say that there
) are at least five thousand officers serving
offenses In case Waller is convicted,
, thousands of cases similar to his will fol-
low and astounding light Will be
thrown on the methods now in vogue
among the American officers, stationed in
disturbed districts, to lessen the pressure
of insurrection OF course, these condi-
3 lions are Theoretically reported to head
3 quarters. Their existence, however, is
known and winked at there. Now and then
a complaint reaches the division COM
,o1,i f3ianr hos
] administered the water cure or treated
e a native to 'sdose of cleaning rod and
e then the local press has few spasms; the
S officer is court martialed and acquitted,
e no matter whether he is guilty or not.
: The court-martial was merely break
!. water for the food Of criticism TO dash
y | against. The army officers, from General
e Chaffee down, feel the necessity of adopt
e ing a stern and unrelenting policy with
!, the recalcitrant natives, and in this attl-
u tude they are supported, not only by the
majority Of the Americans living IN the
d Philippines, but also secretly by many
: high officials of the civil government. Tit
o idea that the native is capable of self
n government is laughed at over here-eyeI
It by the civil officials themselves, and Coy
n ernor Taft's statement that $4,000 men cal
q hold these islands in submission ha:
e, caused a great deal of wonder. Possibl,
IS IS 900 men with the aid of as many NOR
II native troops might accomplish the WORK
le but the arming of the natives OF TIL
generation is a rash step and IN case !
T. continues there is danger of such an UP
OF rising as the Sepoy rebellion in India.
The great trouble seems to be that a
l. soon as we have the insurgents entirel
l. at our mercy we let up on them. The min
ye ute organized resistance is dissipated an
a. the larger guerrilla bands broken VI
IN the military withdraws, and the civil ster
te in and tries to institute form of gov
cy eminent that the natives consider any
C. thing but good-it is entirely superior
lie any form that theyahave Smetswith. TIL
cy civil plays around IN the dark until at ma
Mt | the most prominent insurrectos holdin
is the latest Jobs and presently the insuT
n, rection buds out afresh and the military
a. called in to settle matters. And so tn
IS farce goes on. James Reed Hull