The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-24
SHOWN UP IN A REPORT FROM GOV
eRROR GENERAL CHAFFEE.
TRYING TO SERVE TWO MASTERS
Recent Trials show widespread Dis
affection and Secret Hostility
Among Natives. who Pretend to be
Friendly to the American
ment-Nntives who Hold Once Tn
der the New Order Active Members
Murder and Aid of the IHsurrectfon

Washington. December ls.-'History
thus practically turning war traitors.
and in the genius OF no other people
was ever found such masterful powers
of secrecy and Discrimination; but IL Is
needless to say that TO powerful state
WAS ever erected or ever a be erected
upon such immoral and unenlightened
foundations"
This statement is made by General
Chaffee, military governor Of the Phil
ippines in review of one OF 4 number
nf court-martial cases in the islands.
the records of which have been receiv'
I'd at the var department.
The case which brought forth this
from General Chaffee was one
wherein seven natives were tried Joint
~ on a charge of murder The accused
were soldiers in the ~insurgent army and
litter defeat by the American army In
the field, abandoned even the SHOW OF
DCen opposition of the half uniformed
guerilla bands, and took up their resi-
c"nce at Taytay. in Morong province.
DuZon, a place protected by an Ameri-
can garrison. Then, following the pro-
claimed policy OF the insurgent chiefs.
they proceeded to organize secretly a
Lolo band. After the native popula-
lion within the lines OF the army OF oc~
cupation had been authorized TO estab-
lish civil government. the band camo
forward under the leadership of a resi-
dert padere, dictated and secured their
election as municipal officers Of Tay-
lay an entered upon their duties under
american authority.
Then ensued a remarkable attempt to
serve two masters. In all lawful mat
iers they served with due appearance
of loyalty the American government.
While at the same time they labored
secretly and diligently in the interests
Of the instruction.
This dual form Of government, says
General Chafee, existed everywhere. in
strongly garrisoned cities like Manila
as well as the smallest barrio.
The municipal officers of Taytay next
entered pom a series of murders and
continued their deadly work until the
s owing number of mysterious disap-
pearances from the community led to
the discovery Of the perpetrators By
the American authorities.
One undeniable TRUTH says General
Chaffee, stands out in this case, as ir
hundreds of like cases of murder, tina,
tile average native of these islands has
not more han the merest rudimentary
conception of his individual rights anC
uulleS DIS d man, anu no one KNOWS TINS
so we'll as the willy chiefs which U.s.
him for their nefarious purposes
Six of the seven natives were sen
fenced to be hung. but General Chat
fec the sentence in the cas-
of three of them to Imprisonment a
hard labor for life.
The seventh native. Leonardo de Pc
So a regularly ordained priest, aske
for and was granted a separate triaI
At his trial De Posoy, who was held t
&c the chief. agent in the Taytay mur
Ger. took advantage Of the loouhol
which appeared to be afforded by hi
position as priest, by contending tina
while the participators In the wholesal
murders in Taytay would confess tn
same at confessional. he was restraine
by his sacred office TO keep silence.
General Chaffee pronounced this dc
rense of no value, saying that the con
f~essional does not lay upon any mar
tr1est or layman, the obligation q
suppressing knowledge Of crimes bein
committed by third parties. the cor
summation of which he could hav
prevented without violating the secrec
IF the confessional"
In this particular case. it is stated
the knowledge of the crime wa
brought directly to the priests motto
and was not gained through the comics
slonal. His sentence was I
Imprisonment for twenty years.