The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-04
POOR HERBERT WELSH!
Melancholy Impressions Prey Upon
His Mind NeedIessly.

Army and Navy Journal.
Such is the constitution of the human
mind that we derive as much pain from
the contemplation of an imaginary injury or
wrong as il it were real. Knowing this, we
sympathize profoundly with Mr.. Herbert
Welsh, of Philadelphia, who is IN great dis
tress of mind because he believes that he
has discovered a wicked conspiracy on the
part Of the following gentlemen. well
known to the public, whose positions. il
not their characters. should be a guaran-
tee of honorable dealing:
1.-The President
"Hon. Elihu Root, secretary of war.
"Adjt. Gen. II. G. Corbin.
Judge Advocate General George b. Da-
Wis.
Asst. Adjt Gen w p. Hall.
Asst. Adjt; Gen: William Ennis. all OF
Washington, ID. c..
In circular letter addressed 10 the ed
itor of the Army and Navy Journal, ana
in which these names appear in the order
given, Mr.. Welsh says. referring to them:
will you. If you approve my purpose
and plans, be so good as TO write a per-
sonal letter mot confidentiaD 10 any or all
of the following executive officials (who.
under our Constitution and representative
form OF government, are your stewards In
the performance of their public functionsD
asking them to publish for the information
and guidance OF the country in the gov
islands the report of Lieut. Gen Nelson A.
Miles" Then follow the names quoted.
The heartiness of our approval OF Mr..
Welshs purpose and plans Is shown by
logical law which enables minds in sympa-
thy TO read others thoughts, we had antici-
pated his wishes. and. before We received
his letter. procured and published in full
both of General Miles's reports, so that
they were placed within the reach of Mr..
Welsh about the time he was writing us
49, a los q
report. having I'm vain tried 10 secure a copy
of IL from the War Department" We
promptly wrote TO Mr.. Welsh calling his
attention to the fact or publication, but
which invited a reply, which may perhaps
be due to the absence OF Mr.. Welsh from
Philadelphia; This and other facts lead
Welsh has dwelt so long and so intently
upon the wrong he has conceived that when
the great happiness came TO him OF having
his wishes granted, he was unable 10 re-
alize IL. His case appears TO be analogous
to that of the poor fellow subjected by
the Moros to what is known the rat
torture who cannot rid his mind OF the
impression that he is still being devoured
by rodents. We are not sufficiently ac-
euainted with Mr.. Welsh TO know whether
he requires the service of an alienist. but
in any case. we are ready TO do anything
further We can 10 rid his mind OF It's mel
ancholy impressions. To man OF public
spirit with nature so sensitive as that OF
Gals he names are conspiring against the
commonwealth must be torture far greater
than the infection OF any physical pain
Accompanying the two reports OF General
Miles. as we have already stated. was
series OF reports and Endorsements on the
subject OF the sale OF rice 10 the starving
Filipinos which we have not been able 10
publish because of their length But what
ever may be thought as 10 the regularity
of this issue of food, IL is obvious that II
was an act of benevolence and cannot be
classed among the atrocities" which IL is
the purpose OF Mr. Welsh 10 bring 10 light.
We have. however. notified Mr.. Welsh that
we will furnish him with copy or copies
Of the rice documents al the cost Of tran
scrfbing them, so that he can make them
public This did In response TO this
statement I'm the letter we received from
Mr.. Welsh: ut will assist me In the ac-
complishment of the public end aimed at
IL recipients of this letter who are I'm SYM
pathy with it's purpose and who act upon
this suggestion win inform me OF the result
OF their efforts. or II they will make sug-
gestions OF other expedients which they
deem fitting TO the attainment OF the end
desired.
we have just received letter from the
representative OF Mr.. Welsh informing US
that he is absent in the South. We hope
that rest and recreation will restore him to
a more healthy state OF mind. and that. on
his return he will be disposed 20 Cooperate
with US in publishing the rice reports.
which present view OF the more gentle
and humane side OF war.