The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-08

Washington, July 5.-The war depart
ment today gave out the results of the
inquiry made by Colonel Crowder, into
the case of Lieutenant Frederick T
Arnold. of the Fourth cavalry, acquit-
ting him of direct knowledge of a COM
plicity in the ill-treatnent of Fflipinos
by United States soldiers.
This is the case referred to by Senator
Culberson on the floor of the senate a
short time ago. The case grew out of
charges made by ex-Private Weir
against Lieutenant Arnold, alleging
cruel treatment of prisoners of war oc-
curing within his command, while
serving in the Philippines. 1t was un-
derstood that General Miles had recon-
mended to Secretary Root that the
charges were of a character to justify
court-martial. The action OF the war
department is embodied in the following
extract from a letter 10 Lieutenant Ar
mold through the commanding general
Of the department of Missouri:
THE secretary of wa, while concurr-
ing in the conclusion expressed by the
inspector that the evidence acquits You
of direct knowledge OF Or completely in
the infliction of the puInShments shown
to have been practiced by members of
your command. is of the opinion that
these abuses were preventable and
exercised that high degree of vigilence
which was imperativcly demanded by
the unusual conditions under which
your command was operating; that
your failure to do this IS only measure
ably excused by the numerous and ex-
acting civil duties imposed upon you,
and justly exposes you to official CEN
sure for neglect of dut?, the direct re-
suit Of which has been that because of
the few instances of cruel treatment Of
prisoners which were uf undoubted oc-
currence within your command. the mil
itary service generally mas incurred un-
just criticism. That 5 lch neglect has
not been the subject OF charges is due
to the considerations above noted and
to the further fact shown in evidence
that in your personal and official rela-
tons with the natives you uniformly
exhibited kindness and consideration for
them, and worked assiduously and with
excellent results for the betterment of
conditions among them, particularly in
the establishment of municipal govern
ment and in the maintenance of public
schools: In this connection and as
further influencing the action taken, the
secretary of war is pleased to recognize
the special commentator for gallantry
in action extended you by your regi-
mental and division commanders"
The war department also furnishes
the following statement of the facts de-
1.-The evidence taken in the course of
the investigation shows that the pun
charged by Private Weir, of
the native prisoners at Pasay was ad-
by three native policemen of
the town Of Pasay, directed and assist
ed by Sergeant James c. Edwards,
troops H, Fourth United States caval-
ry. in the quarters OF the detachment,
six of whom testify H substantial cor
Of the more material allega-
tions preferred by Weir, but state that
no serious injury resuited from this
1t appears that with the
exception Of Sergeant Edwards, none of
these men had anything to dc with the
administration of the punishment; all
except him being there as spectators.
Private Weir's allegations of severe
;C1 10 l,x-r hny 0f
Arnold's command at Gala
ca, Luzon, were stated by him upon
hearsay evidence, he disclaiming all di-
rect knowledge, as to these punish
ments. The evidence taken completely
refutes these charges, but does establish
the fact that puniShmeDts Of a lesser
degree Of cruelty, but wholly unjustifi-
able. were secretly inflicted by Sergeant
Edwards and the native scouts in the
quarters separately occupied by them at
Calaca and behind closed doors.
~The evidence OF guilt against Ed
wards and Of the native scouts who
under his direction administered in
greater part all the punishments above
referred to, is reported as conclusive by
Colonel Crowder who expresses the !
view that their trial therefor, If now
possible would OF necessity be followed |
by conviction and severe punishment.
He further reports that such action in
the case Of Sergeant Edwards cannot |
be had for the reason that upon publ |
cation in the daily press Of the fact that |
such charges had been made against |
him and that an investigation had been
instituted and preliminary action look |
ing to his trial ordered by the secrtary |
Of war, he deserted the service On May |
29th at San Francisco. Cal. and has |
not since been apprehended."