The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-05-20
CONTINUED from last Issue.)
CHAPTER ~.
When the Flaq Came Down.

When the Flag Came Down.
The government was compelled to
take action toward pacifying its own
| subjects Immediately after the news
OF the Hawaiian surrender, public In
dignation having risen to the point
where the people threatened to take
matters into their own hands. With.
out a dissenting voice the journals OF
| the country came forth with scathing
| editorials, occasionally asking the
president whether II was the intention
Of the administration to run up q
white flag as soon as a fast approach
Ing enemy neared the shores, and thus
surrender the whole United States.
Therefore an appeal for patience was
issued IN the following terms:
The president and his cabinet.
acting for and empowered by congress
In special session, most urgently ask
the people of the United States to
withhold Judgment on the conduct Of
the war for at least a week longer;
when It will be fully demonstrated
that the government Is following Q
well-deflned policy. which will not only
avert bloodshed. but will impose no
disgrace upon our country. The ex-
igencies OF the situation are such that
to make public our plans would be TO
defeat our own ends. We therefore
ask the earnest support and co-opera-
ton of the people OF the United States
by such means as lie within their
power, which at this time can be
shown best by a cessation Of mass
meetings and criticisms tending only
to embarrass the government in the
discharge OF its duty and the bringing
TO a successful termination the con-
fiict which is now on"
Contrary to the usual form Of procla-
nation, this one was signed not only
by the president. but by all members
of his cabinet, who, therefore. Jointly
assumed the responsibility. At first
there was an inclination TO deride the
message, and then when more sober
thought prevailed a spirit Of fairness
dictated that the administration should
have its chance.
Foreign advices indicated that no at
tack might be expected against the
shores of the United States proper for
even a greater length OF time than
ten days; hence the respite Of seven
days seemed a reasonable limit within
which the government might demon
strate its theories.
II was possible that the public tenn
per would have remained passive for
the full period. but for a somewhat
unfortunate and graphic description Of
what had taken place in the Philip
pines, cabled by the correspondent
of a London paper. who had been on
the scene. and which read as follows:
THE surrender Of the Philippine is
lands by the United States TO Japan
constitutes what is probably the most
remarkable chapte- In the history Of
wars. No. only was there no battle
fought nor any attempt made at de-
tense. but what is worse, or would
seem SO to any man with red blood
In his veins. is the humiliation i'm
posed upon the Americans by their
home government. To an impartial
observer it would appear that nothing
but madness could dictate such pol
Icy. The facts of the case are as fol-
lows:
Although trouble had been ex-
pected with Japan by every reasoning
inhabitant of the islands for many
months, the government at Washing
ton apparently made no attempt what
ever to strengthen its position, and,
on the contrary. seemed rather en-
deavoring TO weaken IL. AS the whole
world knows, there have been i'm
mense and costly Notifications under
progress OF construction in the Islands
for the last zen years. More than 80
days ago, by official order. work on
these defenses was summarily stopped,
the workmen discharged and the en-
gineers ordered home. This was the
first act OF treachery toward the Phil
ippines.
Immediately following this incom-
prehensible action all war vessels In
waters surrounding the islands and on
the Pacific station were ordered TO
ports in Europe, where they rendez-
yoused In what can never be anything
but neutral territory. And there they
are at this moment. thousands OF
miles from the scene of conflict, In
capable Of either offense or defense.
Had the government deliberately
chosen to put itself out Of touch with
the whole war. it could have selected
no more effective method. Your cor
respondent has had the, honor OF an
intimate friendship not only with the
civil officials OF the islands, but with
The men OF the army and navy as well,
and Is therefore in a position TO give
trustworthy and detailed Information
Of what at this time seems little less
than an infamy.
1T had been known for some days
that orders OF a most remarkable ma
ture had been received by the govern
or OF the islands and the commanding
general. What these were, however,
remained secret until that memoir
able day Of May.
AT ten o'clock on the morning OF
May 81 cloud Of smoke became Wis
| ible on the horizon, and when within
| range of the glasses II was discovered
that in the ofing foated two cruisers
| OF the first class and one battle shin