The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-23
FUNSTON'S EXPLANATION.
Kansas General Relates Why He
Hanged Filipino Prisoners.

The Chicago Record prints this explain
alton by its correspondent at Manila.
John 7. McCutcheon, of the hanging of
two Filipinos by General Frederick Fun
ston:
Manila. April 19.-During the early part
of April some startling stories came into
Manila regarding the summary hanging
of two natives near San Isidro by Cen
eral Funston. 1t wa$ said that no trial
had been given them and that there was
Likelihood of an investigation, which
might result in court martial.
Since then 1 have learned that Cen
sion in which General Funston is serving.
has given his unqualified approval of the
course taken; and that General Otis has
In order to obtain. a correct story of
being the first of its kind, have got
General F'unston's story of it. He had
Just returned from a. scouting. trip and
ply with my request for the facts regard
ing the hanging of the two natives on
March 81. General Funston said;
There was at that time on duty with
my brigade one of the companies of Colo
mel Wilder's regiment of Macabebes. and
while the company was hunting insur-
in the hospital at San Isidro. These men
had recovered sufficiently to be discharg-
been able to Join their command. on the
evening of March 26 they were walking
without their guns along one of the
streets. of San Isidro, when they were
with bOlos and revolvers. their arms pin
toned behind them and they were hurried
to the town of Gapen, where they were
held over night in a house. The next
morning at daybreak they were hurried
by an unfrequented trail toward the
mountains.
g I was just coming in from an eleven
days scout in the mountains with Cap
tain Koehler and his troop of the Fourth
cavalry, and by chance met the outfit in
the trail just outside one of the barrios
of Gapen. In the confusion one of the
prisoners who had his arms tied behind
hastily explained the situation in Span
1sh, at the same time indicating the direc-
ton in which the most of the band had
fed when they saw us. We quickly ran
them down and killed three with our re-
vOlvers and retook the other two prison.
ers. but not until both of them had been
badly boloed. The men who were attempt
ing to kill the two prisoners to prevent
their rescue were caught red-handed in
the act and surrendered, evidently think
ing they would be treated as prisoners of
war.
g In view of the fact that they had in
amigo clothing, come within our lines
and kidnapped three men wearing the
uniform of the United States, and that
IN order to prevent the escape of these
men they had brutality cut and hacked
them, both acts gross violations of the
laws of civilized warfare, determined to
make an impressive example of them, and
SO took them up into the barrie, in the
vicinity of their crime, called together
some of the residents to witness the af-
fair, and publicly executed both men by
hanging. Immediately reported the at
fair in all its details by wire to my su-
perfOr officer. General Macarthur.
- The provisions of general order 100 of
1864, which is still in force. provide that
In time of war any one caught in the ac-
may be summarily executed by the Off
GER taking him "