The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-04-24

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ten days; hence the respite of seven
days seemed a reasonable limit within
which the government might demon
strate its theories.
1t 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:
1.-The surrender of the Philippine is-
lands by the United States to Japan
constitutes what is probably the most
remarkable chapter in the history of
wars. Not only was there no battle
fought nor any attempt made at de-
tense, but what is worse, or would
seem so to any mar 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 a 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
yer to strengthen its position, and.
on the contrary, seemed rather en-
deavoring to weaken it. AS the whole
world knows, there have been i'm
mense and costly Notifications under
progress of construction in the islands
for the last ten 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-
p%rehensible action all war vessels in
waters surrounding the islands and on
the Pacific station were ordered to
ports in Europe, where they rendez-
voused in what a W 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, 1t 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 a secret until that memoir
able day of May.
"At ten o'clock on the morning of
May 81 a cloud of smoke became Wis
ible on the horizon, and when within
range of the glasses it was discovered
that in the offing floated two cruisers
of the first class and one battle ship,
flying the japanese flag and cleared
for action. The officer in command
Of the fort at once communicated this
fact to the governor, and a consulta-
ton was called, to which all officials
of both branches of government were
summoned. Inasmuch as the gravity
of the situation required the absolute
concurrence of all concerned, the con
sultation was not confined to men of
high rank, but included every COM
missioned officer from the army and
every official of standing in the civil
government. The men, wondering at
this strange call, and aware that
something unexpected had happened,
responded to the summons and re-
paired to the governors Office, where
they seated themselves silently, and
waited for that executive to address
them. He, a man grown gray in the
diplomatic service of his nation, paced
up and down the room as il loath to
speak.
Gentlemen he began, 1T is not
within my province to criticise the
acts Of the department which I repre-
sent nor to find fault with its desires.
and yet 1 have before me at this mo
ment the most humiliating instructions
which in more than forty years of life
in a responsible capacity l have ever
received .ys
HE stood for q few moments, as II
, dreading to tell his auditors Of his
country's shame. and then with trem.
bling hand opened a drawer Of his
desk and took out a file of official
documents, which he held before him
as he continued:
cat the time when work was
stopped on the Notifications Of this
harbor l received additional orders to
the effect that in case of any overt act
or warlike demonstration upon the
part Of Japan We were not to make
any defense unless 1t involved the
saving Of our lives, and to surrender
the islands in toto to our enemy.
1T has been your correspondents
privilege to witness many scenes