Gilpin observer., 1902-07-24


ture of instructions as to what rejoin-
der shall be made to the Vatican in
answer to it's first general reply to
Governor Taft. These instructions to
Governor Taft were prepared before
Secretary Root left Washington, but
We're deemed of such Importance that
submission to the President was
thought desirable. The position of the
United States is unchanged and the
Instructions to Secretary Root, issued
before Governor Taft went to Rome,
are adhered to in every essential. The
important point of those Instructions
was that the friars should be with
drawn and upon this question the ad-
ministration remains firm. The re-
| joinder is n diplomatic document ana
couched in such language that there
will be a continuance of the negotla-
tons.
A statement has been prepared at
the immigration bureau showing the
number of immigrants who arrived in
the United States by countries during
the fiscal year 1902, as compared with
1901. The total arrivals of the last tis
cal year were 64S,743 immigrants and
S2,055 other alien passengers, making
total of 73O,792 This is an increase
of 16O,225 immigrants over 1901. The
principal increases during the last year
as compared with 1901, were as fol-
lows: Austria Hungary, $3.50; Italy,
including Sicily and SARDINIA, 42,379;
Russian empire and Finland, 22,O9O;
japan, 9,OO1: Sweden, 1858; German
empire, 6,653; Norway 5,236, Greece,
2194: Denmark, zoos. The principal
decreases are Ireland, 1,423; China,
$40 and Turkey in Europe 200. Follow
lowing are the names Of the countries
from which the largest number Of i'm
migrants came during the last fiscal
year: Italy, including Sicily and Sar-
dinia, 17S,375; Austria Hungary, ILL.,
$50; Russian empire and Finland, IT,
347; Sweden. 3O,S94; Ireland, 29,13S;
| German empire, 2S304; Norway, IT,
4S4; Japan, IA, 27O; England. 1853.
1t is reported that unless the propo-
sitions of this government in connec-
tion with the disposition of the friar
| lands in the Philippines is accepted very
soon by the vatican Governor Taft will
be instructed to issue an ultimatum
that will bring speedy disposition Of
the question. The Philippine civil gov
ernment bill passed by the last Con-
gress contains a provision authorizing
the Philippine commission to secure
poses, forest reserves or other public
purposes by condemnation proceedings.
1t is proposed to use this power to get
possession of the friar lands, should
the vatican insist upon its present pol
icy of delaying the negotiations. 1t is
believed by the war department Off
cials here that such an ultimatum
would insure a speedy acceptance Of
the propositions already made by this
government. In case of condemnation
proceeding the church would unques-
tionably fail to fare as well as it would
by a sale such as is now under con-
| sideration. There is every confidence
that the negotiations will be success
fully concluded before another week.
Secretary Root brought from Oyster
Bay the case of Gen. Jacob H. Smith.
tried by court-martial at Manila on
account Of orders issued to Major Wal
Ter. General Smith was found guilty
of the charges by the court and SEN
fenced to be admonished by the re-
viewing authority. The President has
so admonished General Smith and re-
tired him under the law which pro-
vides that officers having reached the
age Of sixty-two years may be retired
at will by the President.
Following is the text Of the Presi-
dents review of the case:
1.-THE findings and sentence OF the
court are approved. l am well aware
Of the danger and great difficulty OF
the task our army has had in the
Philippine island and of the well nigh
intolerable provocations it has received
from the cruelty, treachery and total
di1<egard of the rules and customs of
civilized warfare on the part Of its
foes. l also heartily approve the en-
pl0yment of the sternest measures nee
essary to put stop to such atrocities
and to bring this war to a close. 1t
would be culpable to show weakness
in dealing with such foes, or to fail
to use all legitimate and honorable
methods to overcome them. But the
very fact that warfare is Of such a
character as to afford infinite provoca-
ton for the commission of acts of cru
city by junior officers and enlisted men,
must make the officers in high and re.
sponslble positions peculiarly careful
In their bearing and conduct, SO as to
keep a moral check over any acts Of
an improper character by their subor-
dinates. Almost universally the higher
officers have SO borne themselves as to
supply this necessary check; and with
but few exceptions the officers and SOL
diers Of the army have shown wonder
full kindness and forbearance in deal
ing with their foes. But there have
beeh exceptions; there have been in
stances of the use of torture and Of
improper heartlessness in warfare on
the part of individuals or small detach-
ments.
I'm the recent campaign ordered by
General Smith the shooting of the ma
tive bearers by the orders of Major
Waller was an act which sullied the
American name and can be but partly
excused by Major Walters mental con-
ditlon at the time: this mental con-
ditlon being due to the fearful hardship
and suffering which he had undergone
in his campaign. 1t Is Impossible to