The Topeka state journal., 1899-11-23
SAYS HUSKY WAS DRUNK
California Soldier Makes State
ment Concerning Affidavit.

San Francisco, Cal, Nov. 2s.-Haro1d
V. Chambers, a soldier of the Twentieth
Kansas regiment, and a personal
friend of Harris Husky, of the same
regiment, whose deposition alleges that
Colonel Afetcalf shot a Filipino pris-
Oner while the latter was on the ground
begging for mercy, makes the following
statement in regard to the matter:
ION the 24th day Of July, the day the
affidavit was obtained from Husky, I
saw him in company with Lieutenant
Hall, crossing the bridge Of Spain in
Manila and was surprised to see that
he was much under the influence of
liquor, as Husky was not a drinking
man. When I met him later in the day
he was very talkative and said that he
had signed a statement, but had no
clear recollection as to what it related
to. Just before leaving Manila, I went
to see Husky, who had re enlisted in
the Eleventh volunteer cavalry, and he
again spoke to me about the affidavit,
saying that at the time he signed it he
was drunk, and that if he had been
sober he would never have made such
a sta tement, as he was not sure that it
was the truth. He said that though he
had seen Colonel Metcalf shoot a man
he believed that the man was a Filipino
prisoner who was attempting to escape
by running through the firing line.
He further stated that once having
signed such a paper, he was compelled
to testify before the board of finvestiga-
ton appointed at Manila, and that he
was sorry for the injury he had done
Colonel Metcalf, who was one of the
kindest and bravest of officers.
Husky, in further statement, said
his signature had been coaXed from
him while drunk, and that on SOLDERING
up he had asked the statement return
ed to him, but had been obliged to be
cOntented with the assurance that it
would not be used. He also stated that
he had not written the statement, but
had simply signed one already prepar-
ed, and that in case it was used, upon
ed States, I should take the opportunity
to make clear this statement of the
case
CORBIN CAN FIND NOTHING.
Washington, Nov. 23.-Adjutant Gem
eral Corbin yesterday ordered an in
spectiOn of the military records on file
in the war department. but nothing was
developed to give the least color to the
report that Colonel MetCalf, of the
Twentieth Kansas, had murdered a ma
tive of the Philippines. So far as the
war department is concerned, General
COrbin says, there is absolutely nothing
on file in all the numerous reports to
give any warrant for the charge The
adjutaut general eVinced a personal in
tereSt in the case and ordered a search
ing inquiry to be made by his subordi-
mates to determine if there is any
ground for the assertion The result of
this inquiry is summarized above.
There is nothing on record, either from
Major Mallory or from the board of in
quiry which is said to have made a re-
port on the subject, or from General
Otis, as cOmmander-in-chief of the
American forces. General COrbin said
that he does not believe there is any
thing in the story, as the report of an
investigation of a matter OF so much
Importance would have been transmit
ted to the war department by General
Otis. However. as the charges are be-
ing made openly, he says he will order
an immediate investigation and ask for
an official denial or affirmation from
General Otis