The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-07-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Democratic Prospects--.The Philip
pine War and its Fatalities
RooseveIt's Presidential
Campaign.

Campaign.
Washington, July Ex-senator Cock
erll of Missouri has spent some time
in Washington during the past week
and has been frequently at the demo-
cratic headquarters. When asked by
newspaper men for his views in regard
to the situation in his party, he has
Invariably replied that the situation
was most encouraging but that he
did not deem it wise to talk much at
the present time In a word, the
Senator says that if the democrats
will work quietly and energetically.
each in his own district, this fall, and
will leave national issues for the fu-
ture, there is every reason to assume
that public opinion will have so
shaped itself before 1904 as; to leave no
question in the minds of the leaders
as to what are the issues which will
command support. The Senator seems
to be quite certain of democratic sue
cess in in 1904 and he anticipa that
gains will be made this fall but, un-
like some of the younger members Of
his party, he is believer in accom-
plishing perfect harmony by follow
ing. the old fashioned Injunction,
Say nothing and saw wood. -
Whatever other issue may arise and
whatever prominence present issues
NAV attain, there is no doubt In the.
minds Of the democratic leaders in
Washington that tariff revision will
constitute an important feature OF the
platform on which the democrats will
appeal for support IN 1904. No faith
is p,aced in Mr.. Roosevelt's intention
to procure legislation which will ac-
taully hamper the trusts and even If
he could demonstrate his own sinceri-
ty the democrats appreciate his abill-
ty to accomplish anything in that di-
rection. As the natural course OF
the trusts will be to become more
powerful and more overbearing there.
is little doubt but that the people
will be glad to seek relief from their
extortions at the only source from
which there is the least hope OF OBJ
tanning it. Senator Carmack, who
apparently believes, at least to some
extent, in Mr.. RooseYelt's sincerity,
predicts that when the President
comes to appreciate the true relations
existing between the republican party
and the trusts he will become DEM
ocratic ally, but that view of the
situation is not generally entertained
in Washington.
The reports of Maj. Glenn's defence
in his trial by court martial, which
have just reached the War Depart
ment, make strong evidence in support
of democratic contentious in regard to
the real situation In the Philippines.
Major Glenn said, among other things,
9. Every man, woman and child in the
islands was an enemy and IN my best
Judgment they are today and always
will be.'' This describes the situa
ton precisely as the democrats In
Congress described it and stultihes
the claims of such men as Buencamino
and other Filipino proteges of the ad-
ministratioE who have testified that
their countrymen were ready to re-
ceive the domination OF the United
States with open arms.
Major James Parker of the Adiutant
Generals Office has made public a
statement of the officers and men kill
ed. and wounded in the Philippines
between February 4th, 1899, and July
18th, 1902. The total number of men,
including officers, sent to the islands
during the period named was 127, ,93S
of which number 1862 lost their lives,
1852 by disease and 4, 40 from wounds
or similar causes. The average
strength of the forces In the island
was approximately 10000 men. The
number has been reduced to IN the
neighborhood of 10000 but the great.
est anxiety is expressed as to the
ravages of cholera which it. is feared
may rapidly increase the death rate.
The returns from the islands show e.
amples of the greatest heroism on tee
part of soldiers doing hospital duty.
Manv have exposed themselves to
cholera in order to nurse their fellow
soldiers with apparently no thought as
to their own safety.
The general fever of expansion
which has resulted from the Spanish
war seems likely to endanger the
Diplomatic relations now existing be-
tween the United States and Japan. It
SS6LuS tUdI OuS Sop1o10 heso0oA!1 ooiAi0
time ago discovered, in the Pacific
Ocean, 800 miles east of Yokohama,
an island which is known as Marcus
Island. The island bears great guam
titles of guano and Captain Rosehill
believing bimself to be its discoverer,
determined to return and exploit the
puano. but for some reason failed to
do so for a considerable time. He
has now sailed for the island, but
meantime the japanese government
has learned of his intention and has
sent war vessel to protect the
rights of certain japanese citizens who
set up a claim to the island. The
State Department feels certain that it
can protect the rights of Captain
Rosehill if he does not resort to vio-
lence in his efforts to assert his own
claim, but if he rests the japanese
authorities it is more than probable
that the affair viii grow into serious
complications which will involve the
cordial relations which have always
existed between the United States and
that country.
1t is generally believed that Presi-
dent Roosevelt in planning an eXten-