The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-13
ARMY ABUSES.

Mr.. IaWney-On both SIDES OF the
house
Mr.. Ball of Texas--The gentleman from
Minnesota says on both sides Of the
house but at least upon this policy on this
side there has been no uncertain sound.
and the gentleman from Minnesota knows
very well that there is not democrat in
this house who, either upon the question OF
the trusts, the tariff, or the Philippine
questions, has justified the statement
which he made, doubtless in a spirit of
levity.
Mr.. Griggs-Why not accept his plea of
guilty?
Mr.. Ball of Texas-I disclaim it for this
side, but / accept his plea for his asso-
ciates. He has no right however, to
plead guilty for us, because we were his
late allies in trying to wipe out the sugar
trust differential And now there is an
other thing When we come here and
venture in all candor to discuss the dis
graceful scenes that have been enacted
over in the Philippine Islands you gem
tlemen charge us with slsndering the
army. We do not believe that there is any
sancity about brass button or blue
uniform unless within that uniform and
behind that button there he an honest
heart and brave manly nature. Wrong
is wrong, whether done by q private indi-
vidual or by a soldier. The occurrences
In the Philippine Islands have been the
natural consequences OF taking men edu-
Gated in different school of thought into
a war that violates all their former teach
ings.
The first note in this house was heard
from the distinguished gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr Sibley) who presided
over the last republican convention in
Pennsylvania. His denunciation Of the
orders of General Smith were made in
terms more eloquent than any of us may
hope TO equal, and the gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Hepburn shrank back from
their cnormity and avowcd his belief that
no such orders had ever been issued.
And yet. General Smith himself ha, ad-
mitted the truth. We could hope to add
nothing to the picture drawn by Senator
Hoar. We do, however denounee the
policy of the war department in sup
pressing information which this congress
is entitled TO have. The commanding
general of the army has complained Of
the manner in which the war is being
conducted in the Philippine Islands only
to be rebuked by the president, who has
ignored Dewey and pronounced Admiral
Schley a coward and a falsiher
There is no question but that you have
a different rule over there for privates
and officers. A private was shot for the
same ofense that an officer was reduced
thirty lines in rank and then restored to
his command. When the letter of Pri-
waite Weir escaped from the files of the
war department, it transpircd that six
months before General Miles had recon-
mcnded that Lieutenant Arnold and all the
others engaged in the terrible conduct
should be courtmartaled. And when the
exposure came Secretary of War Root took
belated action, but ordered another invest-
CATION for the lieutenant and a court
martial for all the privates. When the
letters come home from the private sol
diers exposing the doings in the Philip
pine Islands, General Otis says that 1T is
well known that private soldiers are in
the habit of drawing the long bow" and
General Funston says they are writing
home pack of lies If you are hunting
for ISLANDERS upon the army, go to these of
ficers who have thus slandered the pri-
waite soldiers who do but their bidding in
the Far East. Not satisfied with charg-
ing us thus falsely in order to justify and
excuse the conduct of the war in the
Philippine Islands, many are found who
do not scruple TO revive the bitter mem
cries of the civil war.