THE AMERICAN’S LITTLE WAR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 123, 14 March 1901, Page 4

THE AMERICAN’S LITTLE WAR.

Considering bow much the Araariftaa* have to say about Great Britain’* difficulties in South Africa,, fit it remarkable how little they allow to transpire concerning their own troubla in the Philippines. It is only when Mr Maurice Low, of “ The National Review,” or some other'well-informed correspondent, mentions the subject* that English readers have any chanpa to learn how Mr MTiinley’s policy ol “ colonisation ” is progressing in tba islands. And there is certainly very good reason for the Americans’ reticence. The Filipinos seem, from trustworthy accounts, to be as full of figbfc as ever they were j and outside of * very small radius it is the rebel leader, Aguinaldo, and not the America!* commander, General MacArthur, who holds control. The President has refused to allow the subject to be discussed in Congress, and consequently very little faith la placed in tbe» optimist bulletins which are issued from time to time, telling of the great progress that is being made towards, restoring order. The President is tha -Commander-iii-Chief of the Array, and the members of the War Committee, having been appointed by him, report to him, and not tQ Congress. He can do as he sees lit, and he can tell the country only so. much as he thinks proper. To show that the situation has not improved* •Mr Low points out that the volunteers* whose term of enlistment will expire, next June, are to be replaced byregulars. In debating the Bill providing for the necessary increase ot the regular army Senators freely stated •that General MacArthur would require a large number of additional troops before be could hope to bring the war do a successful conclusion. As the, Americans already have nearly as many men in the Philippines as tho British have in South Africa, it is clear, from the demand for more, that task before them is by no means the mere child’s play which it was at one lime supposed to be. Under the circumstances, it is rather amusing tes find American critics offering- the, British people advice in the managelinoiit of the campaign in South Africa* and urging them to get rid of themilitary system that has tolerated such jluig and costly delays. At present it appears highly probable that tha Americans will- have their hands full in the Philippines long after the British have settled tboiv difficulties in South Africa. —Lyttelton Times.