New-York tribune., 1902-05-05
u4JOR G4PDEyER'S BABY ACT

Major Gardener is disappointing to those who
have received his report. Unwecome rs some
of his statements were in his sO-called with
held report. they were received with respectful
consideration by all. and were credited by many
who deeply regretted that such things were
true. There general supposition that
Major Gardener was speaking by the card, and
that he was prepared TO substantiate the serious
charges which he made. Beyond doubt, the state
of affairs disclosed by him seemed to require
prompt and thorough investigation. and the fact
that such investigation was under way was
what reconciled the public TO the temporary
withholding of his report. The natural eXpecta-
ton was thar he would meet the inquest in
frank and manly manner befttng a soldier
who had made exceptionally grave charges
against his companions in arms.
Unhappily that expectation seems to he
doomed to disappointment. Unless all current
news does him gross iniustice-which is scarce
" CONGRATULATIONS Gardener is doing some
thing very much like pleading the baby act He
furnishes nc proof of the truth of his charges
He vaguely says he has plenty Of witnesses, but
gives the name of only one. He appears TO be
trying. least wishing, to avoid full investi-
CATION. Having made an attack on others he
now complains that demand for particulars is
an attack on him. and instead Of manfully fac
ing those against whom he made his charges
and settling the matter on the spot he wants TO
come home TO Washington. to repeat his accusa-
tiOns eight thousand miles away from the OBJ
jects of them. Truly that is an extraordinary
attitude for a man and soldier to assume.
We would not do Major Gardener the possible
injustice of hastily assuming that he has delb-
erately and voluntarily adopted this course with
a full appreciation of its purport His former
fnrl1;6C uch no
comes inevitable. Rather should we regard him
as having been betrayed into an indiscretion by
fool friends or by some unreasOning enemies of
the administration who do not hesitate to use
any method 10 serve their enlS. For such latter
suppOsitiQn there is only too much reason. The
spirit of INSCRIPTIONS enmity to the national
policy in the Philippines is too apparent at
Washington and elsewhere But il is an easy
thing for such a spirit 10 overreach itself. The
prOmptness and evident good faith with which
the government has entered upon the rigid in
Vestigation of alleged abuses in the Philippines
command the confidence and approval of fair
minded men. and should beSpeak their cooper
alton rather than incite them TO obstructive de-
vices.
1t is not too much to say, and indeed it needs
TO be said plainly and emphatically. that the
manner and tone of the opposition often SAVIOR
truth as of a determination to make factional
capital out of the matter at any cost, and of a
purpose to discredit in advance by whatever
means. verdict which may not he TO its lik
ing. Major Gardener made I'm the Philippines
some very grave charges against his fellow
soldiers in the Philippines. It is eminently fitting
that those charges should he investigated. and
their truth or falsity he established. in the
Philippines. The An erican principle is for ac
cuser and accused to be confronted each with
the other at the place where the grievance
arose. and for the matter TO he settled there
Only in exceptional circumstances. such as do
not in this exist is a change of venue
granted. IT might serve the ends of party poll
tics TO have the investigation in the Philippines
stopped and Major Gardener brought to Wash
ington to furnish texts for anti-administration
stump speeches But It does not appear that II
would serve the ends OF truth and justice.