The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-11
SENATE INVESTIGATION.
Testimony Of w. j. Gibbs, George G..
onrdma Former Soldiers.

~onrdma Former Soldiers.
WASHINGTON. May 1O.-Private Will
liam j. Gibbs. of the Ninth Infantry, to-day
continued his testimony before the Senate
committee on the Philippines. He was
questioned by Senator Patterson concerning
the cleaning Of the town of Balangiga pre-
vious TO the massacre there. He said that
seventy-hve natives brought from the
mountains for hat purpose were ordered
into the tents in which they were confined.
The witness said he had never seen the
water cure administered but had seen
preparations made for il and had heard
groans coming from the victim. He also
had known OF one instance In which a
man had died under its infictiOn. Il did
not see him die" said the witness. but |
saw his funeral and IL was the general I'M
Outstanding among the soldiers that death
was the result of the administration of
the cure.
WAS it understood that the administra-
ton OF the water cure was usual or COM
mOn?"
1T was"
who usually administered the cure?'
Generally the interpreters or scouts"
What kind of water was generally
used?'
Usually dirty water was preferred 10
clean water. The men would go out from
The shore and set a mixture of salt water
and sand and administer it,"
why was this done?'
I'm order TO make the punishment more
severe?'
Referring to some of his testimony of yes
terday. Mr.. Gibbs said that he regarded
the Filipino women as very virtuous.
From my observation and experience" he
said. "the women of the Philippine islands
n the small towns are purer than in towns
ct the same population in the United
Replying TO Senator Beveridge. Mr.. Gibbs
said the victims of the water cure whom
he had seen after its administration gener-
anN AALAA aa hnnHHI a. nA ~
but he had never known of but one death.
Senator Beveridge also asked a number of
questions concerning the treatment Of Fill
1pInO prisoners by the American soldiers
ana the witness said they were generally
given the same food that the soldiers did
themselves, when II was accessible. They
were made 10 carry the soldiers loads and
also made 10 work. but not excessively.
Filipino patients in the hospital also
were well treated.
How were peaceable natives engaged I'm
their usual vocatiOns treated?'
They we're treated well by some Of the
officers. while the treatment by others was
What We're the general orders on this
'To treat the natives with kindness"
Did you observe the Order?'
Il did.
Did your comradesg'
Some OF them did and some did not"
Mr.. Gibbs was excused and George G..
BOardrlan. formerly OF the Twentieth In
fantry. regulars, was called. Mr.. Board
man had not concluded his testimony when
the adjourned for the day. but
before hs was excused he had related some
incidents which had come under his OBJ
servatiOn while serving Tor three years In
the Philippines. He said he had never wit
messed but one administration OF the water
cure. and that in that instance the victim
had told nothing himself. but had given
the name OF a man who had told where
there were seventeen rifles hidden. He re-
lated the particulars Of the murder OF a ma
tive boy by the natives. who accused him
OF deserving their cause and OF joining the
americans. The witness also told Of the
CO fuct OF natives with guns. aging they
wOLlf nre az the soldiers, and that when
the latter approached they would conceal
their weapons and greet them pleasantly.
In one ~instaucc OF this kind a Filipino