Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-01-28
RECOMMENDATION.

III an editorial last week the MllWau-
kee Sentinel pooh poohs at the report
that our general Franklin Bell. in the
Philippines. in Southern Luzon, has
adopted the ''reconcentrado policy Of
Gen. Weyler in Cuba and Lord Ktch-
ner in South Africa" and says: If
such was literally the case nothing is
more certain than that the American
people would find it necessary to say
something very unpleasant to Gen. j.
Franklin Bell" How would the Ameri-
can people say these unpleasant things
to Gen. Bell: Would they write let
ters to him ? Would they go there to
see him and talk to him Would news
papers containing these unpleasant
things--that is 10 say-Democratic
papers, be sent to him, or received by
him if sent Are Democratic papers
circulated in Luzon? For our part we
fail utterly to see any feasible way in
which Gen Bell could be, or would be
told these vague unpleasant things"
Now as to the fact that our generals in
the islands have adopted the reconcen-
trado policy, has not the Sentinel heard
that months ago? This reconcentrado
proclamation of Gen. Bell, applies to
territory in the immediate vicinity of
Manila. 1t is recent. But there have
beenrothers, in Cebu and Samar, as is
well known the world over. And these
reconcentrado orders have been in
force for months past, and we supposed
everybody knew of them. No I'M
pleasant things have been said. Why
We can not say certainly, but have
taken 1t for granhd that our news
papers have been ashamed of the fact
and concluded that the less said the
better. AS recently said by Golfers
Weekly, 1.-The American people turn
their backs upon it." They do not want
to see it, being unable to prevent 1T, or
feeling that they are. They are not
conducting the war, and what they say
or think will not reach the ears of those
who are, unless it he the expression of
some newspaper that pooh poohs at it,
or apologies for it, as being military
necessity. Recommendation is not war.
1t is a barbarity that aroused this whole
nation to arms when Spain practiced it
in Cuba We might as well face the
stern truth that we are doing it our
selves now in the Philippines. What
is the use in trying to conceal it for
truth will out eventually, and every
body will realize all its horror and
shame. The way to stop it, if it can be
stopped, is not by threatening to say
unpleasant things to the generals, but
by impressing upon our government,
las some English people are trying to
do with their government the horror
and shame which we feel If our
government is made aware of public
disapproval of the reconcentrado policy
it will perhaps send some orders to its
generals that they Will both hear and
heed But how can she government be
made aware of the disgust of its people
unless the newspapers give voice to
what the American people think about
this shameful business ? Can it be
possible that the American people who
were so terribly excited about it three
years ago, are Indifferent now One
does not hear much said by the people.
Democrats talk to each other about it
when they meet each other. They talk
in dispirited and helpless way They
would like above all things to have it
stopped but what can they do? Re-
publicans, sometimes admit their dis
approval in private conversations, but
often they say nothilI g and are or as
sumo to be indifferent. This is not
thing that ought to divide men politi-
cally. All men and women should
raise their voices against it, and should
speak with no uncertain tone. 1t is
question of humanity, not politics; a
question of respect for our flag, not of
party servility; question of which of
these two things an American should
feel the most interest and pride in, and
care most to keep from disgrace, his
country or his party. Democrats can't
stop this nasty business. 1t will go on
unless all, irrespective of party, con-
denim IL