The evening times., 1900-06-02
PRAISE FOR COLONEL pETTITT.
Col. Webb Hayes High Opinion of
the Omcer.

Lieut.. Col Webb Hayes, formerly OF the
Thirty-first Infantry; commanded by Col
James Pettitt. gave out yesterday an in
terview in which he explains Colonel Pet
Tits action in turning a Filipino prisoner
over to the local authorities. He COM
mends Colonel Pettitt in the highest terms
and his statement is positive denial that
he had ever reflected upon that officers
courage In any way. He says.
Il was very much surprised on my return
from the Philippines to hear for the first
Thirty-first Infantry. was to be tried for
turning over prisoner to the local presi-
dente at Zanboanga. who thereupon
promptly killed him The prisoner was the
notorious Juan Ramos. who burned and
piIlaged Zamboanga last November. and
who was enticed by the equally notorious
Presidente Mcdell 10 the latter's house,
where. at Medelfs request, he was ar
rested by our soldiers and temporarily
lodged in the guardhouse until called for
by Presidente MedelI MedeI called for
his prisoner promptly, and. in accordance
with the custom in such cases. his prisoner
was turned over TO him With the true
.AN@N4ANS VI FA4AbiLO- With MS
Malay blood and Spanish training. Medell
took his prisoner outside OF the American
line and killed him. The astonishing
thing is that officials at Manila should al
low Colonel Pettitt's name 70 be connected
with the matter
/ feel very deeply in this matter, as
know that the mere notoriety Of a court
martial OF investigation viii cut Colonel
Pettltt to the quick. His friends may rest
l a - =
table in the matter; in fact, they may
well take pride In his success in governing
the savage Moros and the cruelty treach-
eroas Filipinos in Mindanao.
Colonel Pettitt IS a strict disciplinarian,
and in order to prevent any accidental
| shcotings has kept his men under strict
control, both officers and men going un-
armed when oatside the lines on pass or
| leave. Likewise the savage MOros were
obliged by their Dattos TO leave their
kreses or knives outside OF all military
lines This prevented any trouble.
Naturally some Of the men do not like
| the strict discipline. and this will account
| for any reports deFogatory to Colonel
/ Pettitt. His Cficers however. TO a man
| support him throughout and are all es-
pecially indignant al his name being con-
nected with the Hedell episode. No man
can question his bravery, and. 20 my abso-
lutte knowledge. there has never been any
I thing warranting any reflection on his
courage. either in his personal or official
/ conduct
/ My personal relations with Colonel
Pettitt have been most Intimate and
/ friendly ever since our first acquaintance
and enjoyed very much my entire service
with MIN. II was absolutely free from
friction or embarrassment; as q matter Of
tact, l declined the colonelcy Of a regi-
nent 10 accept lieutenant cOlOnelcy in
the regiment with Colonel Pettitt after
full consultation with him. as it was my
intention 10 resign as soon as the cam
paign was over and l had been able TO
round out my services in Cuba and Porto
Rico by service in battle in the Philip
pines. and this l was able to DO in North
ern LuzOn under General Young / was
only a volunteer and am now delighted at
being able to secure by my resignation
the promotion to colonel OF the gallant
cayalryman. Brett. OF the Second Cavalry
with whom ! served in Cuba, and Stivers.
of my old regiment. the First Ohio Cavalry,
both graduates Of West Point"