General Chaffee To Be Commended

General Chaffee, the reviewing authority in the court martial cases of Major Waller and Lieutenant Day, has shown far better judgment, it would seem, than republican members of congress who have insisted that the action of these officers, under the rules of war, was all right and that they were justified in putting natives to death without trial. According to General Chaffee, the putting to death of the Filipinos as they were put to death without trial, was and is "one of the most regrettable incident in the annals of the military service of the United States."

It would probably be difficult for the average American citizen to clearly state just what these natives were put to death for, for the reason probably that they had no trial, and consequently there is no record, but it seems to be the general impression that they misled the Americans, causing them the most terrible suffering by their treachery in giving them false information and by guiding them away from food instead of to places where it could be had. While in an enfeebled condition from these hardships, Major Waller appears to have consented to their being put to death without trial. Because of his condition, Gen. Chaffee finds that Major Waller should not be held responsible on the charge of murder, but he should not have been wholly acquitted. The general holds that Waller should have referred the matter to Gen. Smith. He censured Day for obeying the order to execute the natives.

The position taken by Gen. Chaffee will tend to revive the faith of the country in the fairness of at least the commanding general in the Philippines. A belief has been growing that on account of the position taken by their superiors at Washington, army officers would not and do not dare to be frank and tell all they know of conditions in the conduct of the army in the Philippines. That there has been good reason for the development of such a belief few will deny. The majority in congress has been disposed to admit nothing and defend everything. Anyone who was desirous of knowing the facts as to the doings of the army in the Philippines has been branded as an enemy of the army and such men as Senator Hoar, who have continued to question and discuss, have been charged with "over-heated consciences" and with being guilty of crimes almost equal to treason. If General Chaffee was a civilian, and not in strict accord with the majority in congress he would be branded as an enemy of the army and as "firing in the rear," etc. But, notwithstanding all that may be said by the republican majority, it is an act that should never be allowed to go unchallenged when any human beings are put to death without trial. General Chaffee is to be commended for the lesson for his superiors contained in his review of the before-mentioned cases.

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The recent purchase of the Western Maryland railway by the Gould interests is taken to mean that the Wabash system is to reach tidewater. This means a new trans-continental road which will compete for business with the New York Central, the Pennsylvania Central and other existing competitors for the transportation of surplus crops, coal, iron and steel products.

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Someone has said that William Judson has announced that he intends to keep strictly out of county politics this year. Wonder if the wish is not father to the thought.

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Under the temporary injunction issued by Judge Grosscup, of Chicago, against the meat packers, they must not conspire to fix the price of meat from this time on. The judge is the man to fix the price of meat now.

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Gentlemen, don't all speak at once! This has reference to those democrats of the second congressional district who think their stature is about right to bring them up to the standard, of congressional timber.

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It is almost laughable to read what Luther Laflin Mills and many other speakers have to say about "going back to the land" in the light of the fact that practically no one of those who give such advice ever follow it themselves.

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In view of the imperialistic tendencies of the present regime at Washington, the setting up of a bronze statue of Frederick the Great there will be a very appropriate thing. The kaiser has a clear perception of the fitness of things from the imperialistic point of view at least.

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Indications now point to an early return of peace in South Africa. Members of the English government are quoted to the effect that terms are practically agreed upon. It will be several weeks, it is claimed, before the terms are so complete and definite as to permit of their being made public.

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After the Kent county convention the claim was heralded about the state that Justus S. Stearns had carried the county and would have the county committee on his side. Yesterday, however when the organization was completed, Biss' man Griswold was made chairman. Now the Stearns people claim this change was brought about through the liberal use of money, as high as $300 being paid for votes. Thus it is that the work of making Biss the next republican candidate for governor goes merrily on.

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The beef trust made no defense in Judge Grosscup's court at Chicago against the charges of the government that the trust is operating in violation of the interstate commerce act by combining to raise prices and restrict trade. It is said that while no indication has yet been clearly given as to its line of defense, the trust will probably admit the facts as charged and base its defense on the law points involved. In other words, it will try to make some more holes in that much punctured law.

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The claim of the attorneys for Frank C. and Henry R. Andrews that their examination has developed no intention on their part to defraud would be funny but for the fact that it is put forward by these legal sharps in seriousness. There seems to be no question about the fact that they did defraud, but these lawyers want the minds of the rascals read for the intent which led them to perform their fraudulent acts. Here is a chance for an expert mind reader. Still it is doubtful of a mind reader's findings would be accepted by these attorneys, especially if they should be against their clients. The plain citizen might suppose that the acts themselves constitute pretty strong evidence of the Intent, but these seem not to satisfy the attorneys that there was any intent to defraud.

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The reviewing authority in the case of the findings of the court martial which tried Major Waller does not approve all the findings of that court. The same is true in the case of Lieut. Day. Day is censured for not disobeying the orders of Waller, when he knew that Waller's state of health was i in such a state as to practically incapacitate him. The reviewing authority holds that while the court should not have found Waller guilty of murder he should have been found guilty on the minor charges. In speaking of Lieutenant Day's responsibility for these crimes committed by our officers in the Philippines, the reviewing authority says:

"An officer must be conscientiously regardful of the unquestioned legality of his agency in taking the lives of his fellow men. Above answer being all personally considerations officers must guard the name and honor of the country. Had Lieut. Day been actuated by such considerations he would probably have prevented one of the most regrettable incidents in the annals of the military service of the United States."