The San Francisco call., 1899-06-04
PRISONERS NOT
PUT TO DEATH
Americans Do Not Kill
Captured Filipinos.
W0RCESTER'S STRONG DENIAL
FALSE STORIES OF THE AL
LEGED ATROCITIES.
The Commissioner Declares That Ge
Has Viewed the Humane Treat
ment of the Wounded on
the Battlefelds.
W0RCESTER'S STRONG DENIAL
FALSE STORIES OF THE AL
LEGGED ATROCITIES.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

| Special Dispatch to The Call
| CHICAGO, June 3.-The Times-Har-
aid prints the following from Dean G.
| Worcester, a member Of the Philippine
Commission, under date of Manila,
June 8:
The statements made by the New
York Evening Post in an editorial nub-
lished April II, and similar statements
published in the Springfield Republi-
can, are in the main grossly exagger-
ated, and in some cases absolutely
false.
An instance of the latter kind is the
story of Anthony Michaea, who is re-
ported as saying we bombarded a
place called Malabon and then went in
and killed every native we met-men,
women and children.
L was personally present on the oc-
casion in question. The truth of the
matter is that Malabon was never BON
barded despite the fact it was in easy
reach from the fleet and field guns.
The town had been abandoned by the
natives before our approach except for
a lot of sharpshooters, who had posi-
tions in swamp on the outskirts
One Hotchkiss and one 80 inch gun
were fired on them. Our troops first
moved to the north without entering
the town. The insurgents were driven
out the following day while trying to
burn the place No women or children
were killed. There were none there to
be killed.
I have personally inspected all the
battlefeIds from Caloocan to Malolos
Once 1 was on the field before the
wounded were removed and repeatedly
/ was there before the dead We're bur-
led. [ never saw a single woman or
child wounded or dead. 1 have found
on the contrary. wounded rebels whose
injuries had been dressed by the Amer
lean surgeons before the firing had
ceased, and who had also been pro-
vided with food and water
The insurgent wounded were brought
to Manila and tended in our hospitals,
or even taken care of in private hospi-
tails, the Government paying all the
expenses.
When cured the wounded can hardly
be driven away. All the prisoners are
well fed and well treated, and I may
say they are glad to have had the ex-
perience, and learned to know the
Americans. Released prisoners and the
recovered wounded are our best mis-
sionaries, but many of them are unwill-
ing to return to their own people.
1t is absolutely false that any order
was ever issued looking toward the
killing of men who might be captured
The American soldiers have repeatedly
taken prisoners under circumstances
affording abundant excuse for killing.
with a provocation very strong. I know
positively the city guards have been
ordered to fire on soldiers caught loot
ing if it was not practicable to make
arrests.
The natives themselves report that
our troops have saved property and
protected life during recent operations,
and the effect of their conduct has been
excellent. 1t is a great mistake to sup
pose we are fighting the F'ilipinos as a
whole. At least so per cent of the pop
ulation detests war, and the only seri-
Gus trouble is in few Tagallo prov
inces in Luzon.
The other provinces in this island
are now compelled by the armed force
of the insurgents to submit to the Ia
gallo rule. The people in them are
praying for the coming of the Amer
account of their robbery and oppres-
sion, and even among the Tagallos the
common people want peace.
Aguinaldo and his congress recently
appointed a commission empowered to
negotiate peace on the terms offered in
our proclamation. The military leaders
however and dissolved the
The war is kept up by a few leaders,
and only with the greatest ditf1culty
The heads of the natives are constantly
filled with lies, and the widest tales
are circulated by the insurgent leaders.
False and slanderous reports are man
ufactured in Hongkong and singapore
and scattered broadcast.
Accounts of alleged atrocities printed
In the American papers are copied by
the insurgent press and cause in
calculable harm. They cost good y
American lives.
Nevertheless the situation is stead
ilv improving The war is being most
humanely conducted; the hungry are
red. the families of the insurgent lead
ers are granted protection in Manila,
and even allowed to enter through the
ines About 200 persons are coming
1ailv into the city from the insurgent
territory, and thousands are eager to
,ome.
Every one here is working in the in
crest of justice. order and lasting
peace, and all are anxious for the best
good of the country and people To
his end lawlessness must be put down
With a firm hand and armed oppression
must be made to cease.
------------