Make Sweeping Charges

     Last spring at a meeting of the anti-imperialists held in New York city, a committee was appointed to investigate army conditions in the Philippines. That committee has since been making an investigation and now through Charles Francis Adams, chairman, Carl Schurz, Edwin Burritt Smith, Moorfield Storey and Herbert Welsh, makes its report. This report is in the nature of a reply to President Roosevelt's review of the case of General Jacob H. Smith, who was court martialed for his part in the famous "burn and kill" order. The report commends the president's review in so far as the committee feels that the facts warrant. But these men hold that Smith, Waller and others who have been courtmartialed are scapegoats rather than the only ones who deserve punishment. The above named gentlemen commend the president for going as far as he has, but hold that he has not gone far enough and offer to furnish proof of their assertions.

     Writing with reference to the "kill and burn" order of General Smith the committee says:

     "As the not unnatural result of military operations so inspired, an official report indicates that, out of a total population in a single district of 300,000, not less than 100,000 perished."

     The committee in its communication to the president then goes on to speak of the administration of the water cure and continuing says:

     "Finally every severity known to the state of war practices which have excited the special reprobation of the American people when reported as features of the hostilities in Cuba, under the Spanish regime, or in South Africa, during the Boer war have been of undisputed and frequent occurrence in the Philippines. From the early beginning of operations there, it has been the general practice, if not actually the order to kill those wounded in conflict. 

     "In like manner as respects concentration camps. Those, as a feature in recent Spanish and South African operations, excited in us as a people the deepest indignation, combined with the most profound sympathy for those thus unmercifully dealt with. When resorted to by our officials in the Philippines, these camps are represented as a species of recreation grounds into which the inhabitants of large districts rejoiced to be drawn and from which they departed with sorrow. Reports to which we can, on the other hand, refer give of them accounts not essentially different from the accounts received of similar camps established elsewhere."

     The committee in closing take direct issue with the president when he says that "almost universally the higher officers have so borne themselves as to supply the necessary check over acts of an improper character by their subordinates." They hold that these acts of demoralization are far more general than the president thinks and they say they are ready to furnish proof to that effect. The charges these gentlemen make are serious and indicate that the investigation has not gone to the bottom of the matter yet. The fact is, there is too much politics mixed up in the investigation on both sides--that is the investigation that has been made in the senate. It has been the purpose of one side to paint the situation ever worse than it really is probably, and of the other side to hide much of the actual facts of the situation.

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     Under American impetus education in Puerto Rico seems to be making rapid headway. During the four hundred years of Spanish control there, it is said that the government never established a single school. But under the American military rule 612 schools were opened and 23,000 pupils enrolled. Since the establishment of civil government, or during the first year of civil government, 800 schools were opened with an enrollment of 36,000 pupils and $400,000 was et aside for the maintenance of these schools, for nine months of the year. During the second year under the civil government, $501,000 was appropriated for education by the local legislature. One thousand schools were maintained and 50,000 pupils were enrolled. Evidently the Puerto Ricans are eager for education. It is said if teachers could be had, 150,000 children would enter the schools at once. In this particular, and it is a mighty important one, it is evident that American influence there has brought about a great onward movement. When the people became educated, republican government will mean and will be much more to them than at present. Education will constitute a saving factor in the maintenance of government by the people. It is extremely doubtful if the republican institutions of the United States could have continued to the present day without the powerful support they have constantly received from the public schools. The public schools are the most democratic agencies on earth. The influence of these schools in developing the impressionable minds of the young the democratic idea is beyond all estimate. No distinction of birth, social position or wealth gives to a child any advantage in the public schools. There is a nearer approach to a dead level of equality here than anywhere else under the American flag. And if ever the theory of the equality of all men under the law becomes a practical realization, it will be brought about through the influence of the public school more than through all other agencies.

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     William J. Bryan in his recent speech before the New England Democratic league, gave signs of returning saneness. That speech indicates that something has at least partially convinced him that there are other issues than 16 to 1 and that there is such a thing as timeliness. Bryan may have been right on the money question, but so long as the people will have none of his theory it is foolish to at this time subordinate other more pressing issues to the one which every thoroughly sane man knowns cannot be enacted into legislation. There may be other issues upon which the democracy may be able to accomplish something for the benefit of the people. If the money question is not settled right, it is not permanently settled and the time may and will come when the issue will be reopened and something accomplished. But the opportune time is not now. Just now there are other evils from which the people are suffering far more acutely than from any trouble with their money. These are the questions which should be pushed to the front, therefore, and Mr. Bryan's recent speech indicates that he is getting into position to be consistent in a sensible and sane way. He may yet have a great future and do the democratic party much good, but he cannot make the most of himself and benefit his party by refusing to progress with the progress of the times.

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     In view of the very important litigation growing out of the repeal of the Michigan Central charter and the settlement of the damages to be paid the company by the state in the courts, the position of attorney general is one of the most important offices to be filled this year in Michigan. One of the best lawyers in Michigan is Fred A. Baker, of Detroit. He is known as the greatest constitutional lawyer in Detroit. He is on record as saying that he does not believe the Michigan Central entitle to anything for the repeal of its charter. If any lawyer in Michigan can save the state from paying a large sum of money from the state treasury to the Michigan Central Fred Baker is that man. Why would it not be the wisest thing for the democratic party at its convention next week to place the name of Fred A. Baker, of Detroit, on its ticket for attorney general. The people would then be assured of having their interests carefully guarded. The Baker's name this year ought to add great strength to the ticket.

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     In the death of Charles Kendall Adams the educational world loses one of its bright and shining lights. For more than thirty-five years he has held prominent educational positions and thousands of young men and women can testify to the influence his teaching has had in the makeup of their lives. He graduated from the Michigan University and spent twenty years within its halls as a teacher of history. In 1885 he was called to the presidency of Cornell University and in 1892 he became the head of the Wisconsin State University and has remained in active duty until the last few months. As teacher, executive and author, he attained high rank. His life work has been of that kind that it will surely live after him in the highest and best sense. The monument that a great teacher erects for himself is more enduring than marble. His teachings remain a living influence long after the marble crumbles.