The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-29
ON KILL And BURN
Much Talk About the Order Given
by Gen. Smith.
WHo WILL BE THE scApEGoAT
The President VIII Review the
Findings of the Court :.
IS '5 at Manila.
Now York sam sDscss, so-rso.,

Now York Sam 8p0cESs SSrwsps,
Chicago, April 29.--walter Wellmap, in
bis Washington correspondence Of the
Reeord-Herald. says: Denunciation Of
General Jacob H. Smith author Of the
kill and burn" order to Major Waller,
vas applauded in the house of representa-
ttves and both democrats and republicans
Joined in the applause. The denuncia-
tions came from republican represent
ttattve, Mr. Sibley Of Pennsylvania, and
from democrat, Mr.. Williams of Missis-
slppi Mr Sibey asked President Roose-
welt TO strip General Smith of his uniform
before shutdown. The Pennsylva MAN de-
clared there could be justification for such
an outrageous order, and he did not care
TO wait to hear what the defense was.
Several senators and representatives
have advised President Roosevelt to take
more drastic action in regard to General
Smith in order to satisfy public opinion
But the president has replied that he can
do nothing more than he has already
done. He has already ordered that Off :
GER tried and he had the order issued a g
coming from himself that he might have
the last word on review. The trial Is now
going on at Manila. The president cannot
Interfere with this trial. An army Off :
Ger, like any citizen, Is entitled to trial in
court OF law '''''.' ~.
General Smiths case Is in the hands Of
the highest officers Of the American army
IN the Philippines. There Is no reason to
doubt that this court. will ascertain the
truth and do Justice At any rate, General
Smith has rights. and must have a chance
10 defend himself before a jury Of his
peers-a right accorded to the meanest
criminal. He may or may not be guilty.
That Is for the military court to ascer-
tain, not for the president to PREJUDICE.
President Roosevelt thinks one should
ask sheriff to take an accused man out
Of the hands OF the court and hang him
N advanced the verdict. Not even pub
licclamor can do that. - ~
General Jacob H. Smith has become
suddenly famous, and Is In danger OF be-
coming Infamous But President Roose-
welt says he Is entitled to fair play: and
iair play demansd that his case be per-
ritted TO take the usual course. If:
I should not be forgotten that In the
end the verdict OF the court will pass into
he hands Of the president. It will be
carefully reviewed, II his brother ON
GERS "whisewash' him the president
will set the verdict aside Mr.. Roosevelt
Is in earnest about this matter, and there
tice. ".-g -e.''.. -. r... .., = re-
Army officers point out that General
Smith has not yet been convicted, and
suggest that public clamor in advance Of
full ascertainment Of the facts may and
sometimes does work great injustice.
They contend that II he ordered Major
Waller to kill and burn he was we'll
within bounds That Is what Waller was
sent out for---to punish, to strike terror
into the hearts of the savages who had
treacherously murdered and mutiated
seventy American soldiers. They say,
further, that even II Smith ordered Wal
Ter to kill all male natives ever 10
- - ~ rfoin
he meant all in the literal sense. nom
combatapts as we'll as those. offering re-
distance before his guilt or the degree4o
his culpability can be properly fxed. In
other words, they ask the public to. await
The facts. the exact facts, before render
Ing judgment. .,.
Public Opinion Aroused. go
But there can be no doubt that the
president and his administration advis-
ers are worried over the Smith case. They
know that public opinion has been aroused
by the Herod- like order OF that officer.
and that something must be done to sat
isfy the popular conscience. 1t Is limited
that in the end General Smith will be Sc
verely punished, no matter what the
verdict of the martial court may be; that
scapegoat Is wanted and that General
Smith is likely to be the man. ---
This suspicion no doubt does the presl-
dent great injustice, for those who know
his temper believe he will heW to the
line, regardless of public elamor. They
believe he will on the one hand refuse
to sacrifice an old soldier to an outburst
OF indignation and that on the other ne
will permit no embarrassing II this
officer be guilty OF inhuman warfare.
II Is suggested that a number OF re-
publican senators and representatives
have decided 1t would be, good politics"
to denounce General Smith in order to
convince the country that the democrats
have not a monopoly Of disapproval OF
savage warfare. Consequently more
speeches from republicans in denunciatton
OF General Smith are expected at an early
day. ~ .,r1ss|
Warfare That Brings Results.
War department officials claim that the
character of the campaign which General
Smith ordered in Samar was similar to
that which General Bell carried on in
Laguna and Batanagas, and which result
ed in the surrender of General Malvar
and his whole force. They add that this
Is the sort Of warfare that brings results,
and point to the surrenders OF native
bands which have recently been reported
from Samar. General Bell, In a recent
report thus describes his methods: :,
am now assembling in the neighborhood
Of 1000 men, who will be used In columns
Of about fifty men each. take SO large a
command for the purpose OF thoroughly
searching every ravine, valley and noun
tain peak for insurgents and for food. ex
pecting to destroy everything And outside
Of towns; all able-bodied men will be KILLED
or captured. Old men. women and childrcr
will be sent to towns. This movement begins
Jan. 1, by which time hope to have nearl!
all the food supply In the towns.
Upon his success In restoring peace ii
northern Luzon and in bringing Malval
to terms General Bell was warmly con,
gratulated by President Roosevelt in "a
cablegram. . ~,
t Hebuked by Roosevelt.
When President Roosevelt came out 0
church Sunday he saw standing on the
sidewalk high school cadet whose blouse
was wrinkled over his body and not prop.
erly buttoned. The youngster was wait
ing to see the president, and his wish wa.
gratihed. But the president also saw
him. ~ .f' ~ IA. ~
Young man., exclaimed the presl.
dent. button UP your blouse and pull II
into shape. That's no way for mar
who aspires to be soldier to go around
The abashed youth Strengthened out his
Jacket buttoned up and stood respectfully
at attention, touching his cap.
That's better" exclaimed the presi.
dent snlilingly, you'll make soldier
yet go
"order No. 100" an Old one.
Certain newspapers have charged Sec.
rotary Root and General Cerbin with re.
sponsibility for Order No. 100" under