The state herald., 1902-04-18
GOVERNORS REPORT
MALTREArMENT OF NATIVES
Major Gardener Severely criticises Mil,
itary Rule in the Philippines
States His observations as Civil
Governor Of Tayabas Province.

Governor Of Tayabas Province.
Washington, April 12-When the
Senate committee on the Philippines
met Thursday Chairman Lodge pre-
seuted the report of Major Cornelius
Gardener, civil governor of the Phil
ipplne province of Tayabas, to which
reference was made by General Miles
in his correspondence with Secretary
Root The report is dated December
IL, 1901.
In the course of the report the gov.
ernor says;
"As civil governor, feel 1t my duty
TO say that it is my firm conviction
that the United states troops should
at the earliest opportunity be concen-
trated in one or Two garrsons, II 1t is
thought desirable that the good sen
timent and loyalty that formerly ex-
listed toward the United States among
the people of this province should be
conserved and encouraged.
Being in close touch with the peo-
pie, having visited all the pueblos one
or more times, having lived with them
in their homes, know that such
sentiment once existed. or late, by
reason of the conduct of the troops,
such rs the extensive burning of the
barrlos in trying TO lay waste the
country so thatshe insurgents cannot
occupy II, the torturing Of natives by
so-called water cure and other meth
DDS, in order to obtain information, the
harsh treatment of natives generally
and the failure of inexperienced lately
appointed lieutenants commanding
posts to distinguish between those who
are friendly ana those unfriendly and
to treat every native us IL he were
whether or no, an insurgent at heart,
this favorable sentiment above re-
ferred to is being fast destroyed and
Il deep hatred toward us engendered.
If these things need be done, they had
best be done by native troops, so that
the people of the United States will
not be credited Herewith.
almost without exception, soldiers
and also many officers, refer to natives
in their presence as 'niggers' and na-
uyes are beginning TO understand what
the word 'nigger means.
THE course now being pursued in
this province aud in the provinces Of
Batangas, Laguna and Samar Is, in
my opinion, sowing seeds for a per-
petual revolution against us hereafter
whenever a good opportunity offers.
Under present conditions the political
situations in this province is slowly
retrograding, the American sentiment
is decreasing and we are daily making
permanent enemies.
'In the course above referred to,
troops make no distinction often be-
tween the property OF those natives
who are insurgent Or iusurgent sympa-
thlzers, and the property of those who
heretofore have risked their lives by
being loyal TO the United States and
giving us information against their
countrymen in arms. Often every
house In n barrlo is burned.
In my opinion the small number
OF irreconcilablc insurgents still In
arms, although admittedly difficult 10
catch, does not justify the means EN-
ployed. especially when taking into
consideration the suffering that must
be undergone by the Innocent and Its
effect ON the relations with these peo-
pie hereafter.
'''rha work u. the Philippine commits
sion and the laws that have been
enacted by II are everywhere favor
ably commented upon by the natives
The efforts being made for the general
education of the people are appreciated
by all. The provincial government
and SIC municipal governments cstab-
llshed are slowly bringing order out
of chaos and anarchy. aud there he
gins to be visible everywhere In this
province progress and prosperity. Trlle
loyalty and contcntment can only
come under u benign civil government.
THE attitude Of the army, thereby
meaning most OF It's officers and sol
dlers, Is, however, decidedly hostile
to the provincial and municipal gov
ernment In this province and TO civil
government Ia these Islands In gen.
cral In Manila, especially, II Is in'
tcnscly so. even among the higher oiii'
GERS. The work Of the commission In
the establishment Of provincial govern
mcnts Is rldiculed even in the presence
OF the natives. Il is openly stated that
the army should remain In charge for
the next twenty years.
1T has been stated that II Filipino or
an Oriental does not appreciate Just or
kindly treatment. aud That he consid-
crs II an evidence OF weakness ana
that severe and harsh measures are
the only ones that are permanently ef.
fcctiye with Flllpnos. ! have found
that Just and kind treatment. uniform
and continued. Is the only way by
which ihc-. people can become our
friends and satisfied with United
States sovereignty.
Having been stationed six years on
the Rio Grnndc. am well acquainted
with the natives of the state OF Tam
aulipas. Mexico, aud while stationed
In the province Of Santa Clara, Cuba,
visited every town In that province
and was able TO observe the intclli'
gcncc and education there. believe
that the people of rnyahas province
are In every way superior IN cduca'
ilon, intelligence. morals aud cl,ilixa'
tion to the people OF Tnmnulipns OF
Santa Clara.
AS nn officer Jf the army. l regret
thnt my duty NJ civil governor OF this
province impel- me to state the ntti'
tude OF the majority OF my fellow ON
GERS toward ciyll government In Tho
islands. and IT. effect upon the people
but feel that the Interests OF The
government Involved and the future oi
these people. for whose welfare We
ARE responsible. are of such vast I'M
porinncc that ought TO report things
M | see aud know them. In order TINT
my civil supcrlurs may be- able in,elll
lt.t altttuIlnfi Ilt
ninndH,