Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-05-07
WEDN ESDAY: MAY 7, 1902
"a IA WEYLER."


War, even when conducted accord
inv to the rules of civilized nations,
is horrible thing. But when these
rules are set aside it becomes what Gen.
Sherman so graphically called it, a
veritable sbeOl. 1t is not alone the
loss of life and limb, the sickness and
suffering, the heavy cost of money,
that is deplorable. It is the brutaliz-
ING effects of war that are the worst.
When nation is fighting for liberty
the kowledge of the righteousness OF
the cause exercises q humanizing
effect on one side anyway. But when
it becomes simply war of greed and
conquest there is no such redeeming
influence. And in that the best classes
of young men are likely to stay out OF
it, while the reckless adventurers take
their place. If the war is then con-
Quoted So far away from home that
little suservision can be exercised
oyer it the tendency to brutality will
become still more marked. And part
isan reasons will cause many who
otherwise would not tolerate such
brutality, to condone it. Thus the
callousuess extends to the home coun-
try also.
Who would have thought during the
time that the American newspapers
were hurting the thunders of denun-
citation at Butcher Weyler" that in
four short years these same papers
would have to uphold and defend the
same course in American commanders
engaged in war OF conquest? Yet
today we see them defending the course
of such men as Gen. Smith, who or
dered Samar to be made a bowling
wilderness, and ordered the killing OF
native over ten years of age. The
Minneapolis Journal of May 3 prints
a letter from James Hull, it's repre-
sentative in the Philippines, formerly
a soldier in the Thirteenth Minnesota
defending Wey erism in the Philip
pines and stating the position of the
commanders with brutal frankne: s
He says in one place;
"At the presen5 time the highes
military officials are becoming con
WINGED that the only way to put an enc
10 treachery is by adopting the motto
The end justites the MEANS AND &C
AHEAD A LA WElLER. Otherwise
they hold that we shall neve
have peace in these is ands. The fire
and sword policy is the only methot
by which the iDsurrection can be effect
ually STAMPED out This fact has beef
demonstrated time and time again"
Later on he shows how universal
this practice Of cruelty has become il
the islands, and what a farce tn
courts martial are that have been bel,
CONCERNING it. He says:
"This example is only one of many
It is conspicuous because Waller is t.
be contaminated but it is safe to sa
that there are at least five thousan
officers serving in these islands VIII
are guilty of similar otfenses. L
case Waller is convicted, thousand
Of cases SINH to his Will follow and a.
astounding light will be thrown on tn
vogue among the American officer
stationed in disturbed districts, t.
lessen the pressure of insurrectiOn
OF COURSE. THESE CONDITIONS AR
NOT OFFICIALLY REPORTED TO HEAL
QUARTERS. THEIR EXISTENCE, HOW
EVER, IS KNOWN AND WINKED A
THERE. Now aud then complain
reaches the division commander tina
such aud such an officer has adminis1
cred the water cure' or treated
native TO a dose of cleaning rod
and then the local press has a fe,
spasms; the officer is court-martiale
ANDACQU1TTED, NO MATTER WHETHE
HE is GUILTY OR NOT. The court
martial was merely a breakwater 70
the flood OF criticism to dash against
The army officers, from General Cha
fee down, feel the necessity of adoptip
a stern and unrelenting policy wit
The reJalcltrant natives, and in thi
attitude they are supported, not onl
by the ma jOrity OF the American
living in the Philippines, but ais
secretly by many high officials of tn
civil government"
Is this this the course of the natio
that went to war to stop the bruts
GU RACES of Spain? Have we succeed
ed not only to the Spanish powere i
the Philippines, but also to its ute
disregard of humanity and justice
No matter what differences of opinio
. there may be regarding the beneice,
4 effects that would follow if the Flip
nos would submit TO American rul
I every just man must admit that thos
I people are lighting for what they COZ
/ siuer their rights. They are fghtin
against power whose right to cover
them they never have acknowledge,
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