The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-09-30
A MADISON BOY
Gives His Experiences in
the Philippine War.
The Administration POLICY
Wrong-- Justi-
fled in Their Fight for
Liberty--They See No
Difference Between
the Spaniard and
the American.

A DAILY LEADER reporter yesterday
enjoyed q most pleasant half hour with
Private Herman Kruger, late OF com.
pany X, Fret South Dakota volunteers,
who wss shot through the elbow, badly,
March 81, in front OF Maloloe, returned
to Manila for treatment in hospital and
was sent home on the Morgan City.
Private Kruger was one OF the brightest
young republicans who left Lake county
at his country's call to fight the Span.
lard, aud his varied experiences, in camp,
in the front Of the fighting up to Malo-
los, and in the various hospitals through
which he had TO pass, make his observa-
tons OF more than ordinary interest aud
merit. He says the private soldiers
only privilege in the service is to "kick';
but now that he is discharged he can
say what he thinks without danger OF
being forced, like Major Warne and
Lieut.. Col. Slower, to take it back, even
il he could prove it. But be says a man
knows a good many thipgs to BIZ true
| sometimes which be cannot prove.
Asked 10 regard to the treatment OF
our men in the Philippines, he replied:
IN one sense, pretty tough; and 10
another, fairly good. Our ration was nc
better than it should be at the best, but
in the field it partook largely Of the kind
you read about at Santiago. Our trans
p~ortation service was poor and ct the
front ne we're glad to get rations Of any
kind. In the matter OF arms We were al
a great disadvantage with our old Rem
,ugtons. They would not carry half &c
far % the Mauser OF the Filipino. lie
soon discovered this and peppered US a
long range. Our only course was to rur
in on them under . CALLING fire wher
they would draw OF to . safe distance
many Of them, however, dying IN the
trenches to protect the retreat OF thei'
companions. This disparity in srm'
was o OF the things that caused thu
Filipinos to think the Americans . back
ward nation and give them . good opin
ion OF themselves. They knew nothins
OF Americans until they saw Dewey snt
den. Anderson with their forces. Thes'
men assured them they had come onl!
70 crush the Spaniard and give them in
dependence. They thought we'll OF tn
Amar;cana then and welcomed them
Then came Otis and things changed .
once. His was the way tho SpaniaId'
used to do. Then came the peace treat.
and they we're not considered except t
be- sold for s2O,Ooo,0oo. That meant q
;ndependenoe for them. They had elm
ply changed masters. They thought tn
American no better than the Spaniard
Suapioion OF tho American produced
unrest and friction. A trivial SOUTH
and Otis forced the Wal. This was tn
, way the Spsniard had often oetrsye'
them.
, "Thep the peace commission came
;.eued it's proclamation and proposed
.vstem OF colonial government. But tn
, Filipinos said, NO. You at first prom
!. ised us independence and did not give
To M. Now you offer 10 this and prom
-. - do thus and 30. That 10 just til
, vay the spsniard always treated VI
. r;r.t "a would have taken this. No'
! =. o.nnot trust you and will have moth
ins but independence"
! n, Kruper has no hesitation in COZ
dempiue the policy pursued IN tho Pm
lippines and says war could easily nav