The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-23

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 en-
pected with Japan by every reasoning
inhabitant CT 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 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
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-
voused in what can never be anything
but neutral territory. And there they
are at this moment. thousands OF
miles from the seen" of conflict, in
capable of either GffecSe 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 a secret until that memoir
able day of May.
AT ten o'clock on the morning of
May q 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 his
fact to the governor, and a 'consI.xa-
ton was called, to which all officials
oe Doth 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. man gr-cl gray in the
diplomatic se-Ti;c CT Lis nation. paced
- and down the room as if loath to
speak
Gentlemen he began, it is not
within my province to criticise the
acts Il the dep@..t.'- mt which ! repre-
sent 4 or to find f.u. with its desires.
and yet have before me at this mo-
ment the most humiliating instructions
which in more than forty years If life