New-York tribune., 1896-11-25
INOUISITION NEAR MANILA.
MACHINES ARE SAID TO BE FURNISHED
by THE DOMINICAN PRIESTS.

THE TERRIBLE THuMBsCREw APPLIED To ALI
LEGGED REBELS TO FORCE THEM TO CON
rEss-FoHEIGS CoNsULs ABOUT TO
MAKE AN APPEAL TO THEIR RE
spEcrIvE GOVERNMENTS
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI
San Francisco. Nov. H-The Hong-konS papers
which arrived to-day by the steamer Peking prousn'
the details OF atrocous torures which the epaharus
using In Mania to compel confessions iioi'
natives and haf-cases suspected Of aiding tne re'o
luton James w. Davidson. a weil-known corre-
sponden, was sent 10 Manila by the Hong-kong
Press" TO report matters as they were. lie SEM
his letters that they escaped the onciai censor
ship He declares that the Spanish nave reV'eo
the methods OF inquison and that they are ac'uaiy
using machines OF torture that were brought over
10 Manila by Dominican priests 2oD years ago David
son says he has ample proof tha: men are per-
maneny crippled by rough usage OF the spanish
troops and that many rich mestizos and natives
have been arrested and condemned TO deportation On
fimsy testimony so that the Spanish ofnciais couid
secure their confisca;ed estates.
50 great are the atrocities that the consuls OF
Japan and OF several European Powers are consid-
ering an appeal to the great Powers to put an end
70 torture outrage and deportation Of those who
have had no fair trial. The Dominican priests are
said TO be prominent in the torture or suspected
thumbscrews and other implements for this pur-
pose.
1t Is said the method is first TO bind the prls-
oners' hands behind their backs so tightly that
the cords cut into the flesh. In that climate NOR
tifcation soon results. and many have lost their
arms. while others permanently crippled After
a few days. If they refuse TO confess their guilt.
they are brought into the torture chamber After
being stripped, the prisoner is first subjected TO
whipping with rattans. 200 blows or more II the
victim is specially obstinate. Then the thumb
screws are brought into play and the poor wretch.
already half dead from the beating. Is obliged to
undergo the exquisite pain that these little instru-
ments produce These torturing machines were
actually those used in the days of the lnquiston,
and preserved to this time in the Monastery of st.
Augustine In Manila.
The natives add reports of more tortures which
may may not be true. They say prisoners have
been placed against board walls, and small nails
driven through each finger, holding the arm out
as in a crucifxion, until the suffering man cries
out confession. Then the suspects have been
fastened in a position from which they cannot
change. and a tap of water is so arranged above
them that drop after drop falls on their heads, &
causing great torture But putting aside these ;r
probable. there is ample proof OF beating ana
What do the Spanish say to this? Why. that
natives have fear of simple Imprisonment, and
some other form of punishment must be resorted to-
That toruring is effective is proved by many cases.
for from confession and Information secured from
guilty persons who were being subjected to torture
the names of many of the leaders and other prom
inent rebels have been divulged.
''Those condemned to death are executed the day
after sentence" says the Press These execu-
tions usually take place in the public park where
the men, bound. placed on their knees and shot
IN the back death not always being instantaneous
During the last execution thirty-four Spanish
women were counted among the spectators: in fact.
the killing is looked upon to a certain extent as a
sort of exhibition. and no doubt compensates people
for the loss of bullfghts. which have been dscon-
tinued. Bands of music are also provided. and by
playing pleasing programme they make the per-
formance all the more enjoyable.
''In the province of Neuva Ecija, have IL on the
best authority. great deal of fighting has oc-
CURED. About 1000 women who sympathized with
the rebel party nave been killed. To avoid sending
prisoners down to Manila the authorities have been
taking groups &C insisting Of from five to fifteen ma
tives bound hand and foot. and pitched them into
the river. to meet death by drowning My in
f0rmant also spoke of two prisoners. bound in the
customary way. who upon being brought before
the proper Spanish authorities were Immediately
slashed and cut numerically by sword in the
hands of that individual who then called guard to
finish what little life there left in the mutilated
bodies by blowing out their brains with his rife"
Another correspondent describes the wholesale
deportation Of suspects, natives and halfcass from
Manila to Fernando Province. Many of these were
wealthy Their estates had been confiscated. and
when they appeared on the steamer they were all
stripped and 81, ,20) was taken from them with all
their watches and other jewelry.