The Tucson citizen., 1902-05-24
EXCUSING TORTURE.

otism is the last refuge of scoundreF |
he desired to convey the idea that the /
scoundrel who finds all other argu-
ments and apologies taken from him, |
falls back on patriotism for want OF !
something else to talk about. Scoun-
drels are not the only people. destitute |
OF argument who take this course, as !
illustrated by the observations of the |
Phoenix Republican:
Stupid as Democratic leadership usu- |
ally is. it is already evident that the |
leaders of the national Democracy |
perceive that they have made bad |
mistake in seeking to carry the coun-
try in this years Congressional cleo |
tions on the Philippines ''atrocity"
issue. They have found that vicious
abuse and SANDER of the army is not a
popular proceeding. Indeed, these les
sons have been carried home to the
Democracy more than once since the
year 1860. and the only surprising
thing is that serious attempt should
have been made at this late date to
arouse the people of the United States
against their army when it is in con-
And there are signs that the plan OF
carrying Arizona on the "atrocity
issue Is to be abandoned. The Tucson
Democratic organ and it's Phoenix
replica which are given to rushing in
where wisdom fears to tread are now
making apologize explanations of the
foul abuse they have been heaping
upon the soldiers in the Philippines.
This is the line OF argument gener-
ally followed by the administration or
gans. And yet there is not one of
them would dare to take the position
openly which the words of the Phoenix
Republican imply-that a man who
wears the uniform. and does things
unworthy of the uniform. must not be
criticized because he wore a uniform
when he offended That is what the
proposition means. and in its plain sig
nificance 1t is too idiotic to admit of
defense If it were legitimate, there
would never have been a thief
drummed out OF camp. for fear of in
sulting the uniform.
stories of barbarity were first told, the
Phoenix Republican and other admin
istration organs of like caliber has
tened to deny them. They all cham
pioned Secretary Root when he re-
buked the lieutenant general COM
manding the army for saying that the
war had been conducted with marked
severity" and questioned the officia
reports Of the cruelties. When the
stories were proved to be true, the
more decent kind of Republican pa
per expressed horror and called for
the punishment of the offenders if they
were found guilty. Orders for court
martialing General Smith and others
were sent to Manila in response to an
aroused expression of public indigna-
tion. But when Smith admitted all
the facts and pleaded that he was
obeying orders. the Phoenix Republi-
can began denouncing Democrats for
abusing the army"
But while the debased little organ at
Phoenix is yelling "copperhead" and
indulging in other forms of frenzy at
those who object to torture and in
humanity in the Philippines, it is in
teresting to note what President
Roosevelt has to say on the matter.
In letter to Bishop Lawrence. of
Massachusetts,, one of the copper
heads" which has been made public
in Boston, the President says;
| hope 1t is unnecessary to say that
no one in the country can be more
anxious than am--save. perhaps, Sec
retary Root-to discover and punish
every instance of barbarity by our
troops In the Philippines. In refer
ence to these cruelties | agree with
every word in your address. No pro-
vocation. however great, can be ac-
cepted as an excuse for misuse of the
necessary severity Of war, and above
all for torture of any kind or shape.
Long before any statements had been
made public. and before any action had
been taken by Congress, the War De
partment had ordered rigid investl.
cation of certain OF the charges, in
Guiding the charges OF Major Gar
dener; the orders of investigation as
regards these particular charges hay
ing gone out over three months ago.
The investigation will be of the most
thorough and sweeping character, and,
4 l,e.,fsary will be made by the civil
n AA well as by the military representa-
tires Of the government in the islarcs
have directed that the courtmartials
I ~ held under the conditions which
Mil give me the right Of review.
II n painful to reflect that these ex-
u preaeions Of President Roosevelt will
expose him to the scorn and contempt