The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-11
GEN. M'ARTHUR's TESTIMONY.
War Defined for Benefit of Democrats
"A Long COlIOquy.

WASHINGTON, April 1O.-General Mac
Arthur was again the witness before the
Senate committee to-day and he began his
statement with reference to the burning of
villages by the native forces in 1899 He
said that the order for this destruction had
been issued by General Luna, and that he
found that this was due to the fact that
Luna had been student of Napoleon's
campaigns, who had conceived the idea that
he could compel the American forces to re-
treat as the Russians had forced the
French conqueror to retreat from Moscow
In this connection General Macarthur read
a number of orders issued by himself, di-
recting the conduct of troops in the field,
and enjoining the utmost kindness in the
treatment of captured and wounded men,
bers of the enemy's forces. In one of these
orders the American forces were instructed
to kill. if possible, the enemy found fight
ing and with arms in hand. and in reply to
questions General Macarthur said that in
war the prime object is TO disable the
enemy and to kill him if possible when in
battle. To the good craftsmanship of the
Americans he attributed the large proper
ton of Filipinos who were killed. in battle
to the number wounded.
Senator Patterson asked number OF
questions in this connection intended TO
bring out the fact that the number of killed
among the Filipinos was much out of
proportion to the number wounded as to re-
quire explanation.
General Macarthur held to his position
that the disprOportion was no greater than
was to be expected under the circum-
stances. IAN increased death rate in the
American army might have been more sat
isfactory to some arguments" he said, but
l nevertheless consider it very fortunate
that such was not the case"
Pressing his questions, Senator Patterson
asked if the killing of twenty Filipinos to
one American was not simply slaughter
NO" replied General Macarthur. Not
when your adversary stands up and fights
you"
such disparity of casualties the Filipinos
stood up and fought, are they not the brav-
est people that ever went to WARP" asked
Senator Patterson.
"They did not stand up and fight after
the first battle" replied the witness.
"Then, if they did not fight, is it not
true, as 1 before asked that their killing
was nothing more than Slaughter"
NO; that is not the case The war is
the most humane that was ever fought.
1t is simply question of efficiency against
inefficieney."
Senator Carmack questioned General Nc
Arthur to his meaning when he stated
in his report of 1901 that there was an
organized and systematic effort to have
Chinese immigration continued for the pur
pose of exploiting the islands. General Nc
Arthur said he had intended to bring cut
the fact that the large European and
-
all demand Chinese labor, the China
man is the cheapest and most interchangeable
laborer in the world. Their hope, he said,
was to continue the flood of immigration
from China, as they were reluctant to
come to the American standard of wages.
He did not believe ii would be difficult
to keep the Chinese out, and he was of
opinion that when better wages should be
established the natives would prove accept
able as laborers.
Speaking of the educated Filipinos, Gen
eral Macarthur said that many of them
were men of good character and generally
showed ability. Among others of whom
he spoke was Mabini. who, he said. had a
dream of a Polynesian confederacy an
able man, but a dreamer, and, unfortunate
ly, paralyzed.
''Where is he now?'' asked Senator Pat
terson.
I'm GUAM" laconicaly responded the wit
ness.
How did he get there?'
81 sent him, because he was an agitator."
Then followed a long colloquy in which
General Macarthur explained that after he
had released Mabini he continued his agita-
ton.
His agitation in support of Philippine
Independence suggested Senator Patter-
son.
His agitation in support of the insurrec-
ton" insisted General Macarthur.
The committee adjourned until Tomorrow
The statement made at to-day's ses-
sion that next week a number OF enlisted
men would be heard to the practice of
the water-cure in the Philippines, and that
soon afterward Admiral Dewey and Cen
eral Anderson would be requested 10 testify.