New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-28
THE ARMY AGAIN ACCUSED
IAN ANTEDfPERIALIST ADDRESS TO
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
ALLEGING THAT CRUELTY HAS BEEN
GENERAL PRACTICE IN THE PHILIP
PINES. THEY ASK A FURTHER
INVESTIGATION.

Take George n Y. July Z-At meeting OF
representative anti+mperalists held in New-forK
City last spring. committee was appointed 10 IN
,vestigate army conditions in the Philippines That
committee has since then been prosecuting It's IN
.,uries President Roosevelts recent review OF
the court martial proceedings in the case OF Gen
rsral Jacob II. Smith seemed TO the committee 10
demand some reply. and at a meeting just held at
lake George an open letter to the President was
.pdopted The letter signed by Charles Francis
Adams chairman; Carl schurz, Edwin Burritt
smith. Moorheld Story and Herbert Welsh. 1t says:
desire to S. the t EFf hsa2 a aG S6@
Inander in chief, OF the findings Of the court mar,
ssonnection with the previous memorandum OF
April Is. that review will, provided it be followed
much toward the re-estabishment of the national
prestige and the restoration Of the morale or me
army. Especially opportune. in our judgment. is
your very commendable reminder to oflcers IN
with ndon@t tb fst II bebooyes ali such ON
conduct so to keep moral check over any acts
OF an improper character by their subordinates"
ss S sKcse INF II n Sr stati for the
Of the present in every instance OF inhumanty
lonial history or from the regrettabe records or
our Indian warfare.
i ~ y" cerHain roncIusions which we have in
compelled TO reach. Coming directly 10 the point,
Jed us 70 conclude that the Generalization OF the
soldiers
pines Including all branches OF the service and all
grades of rank was far more general. as well as
view OF the court martial findings in the case of
General slitl me esseIltIsi Ials cnaIeu ,
notorious than exceptional Demoralizing inhu.
ences very prejudicial 10 any high standard Of
military morale. were. under the circumstances, in
evitable. This led to lamentable results. calling
for the firm hand and stern correction found and
most fortunately applied. in your orders Of April
Meanwhile we would respectfully submit that
the gooo OF ne army ana ne hutnTs 0I our d
not stop AZ this point or with results already
reached. The inquiries We. as a committee nave
cient TO satisfy US that General Smith and Major
srfice in the character Of scapegoats,
IN your of July o IL y0e gsy fhat these
ton on this point should unquestionably be in
20 be borne in mind that one side only Of this
painful story has been heard. and that side only
has been jealousy and systematically suppressed
been denied pronounced imPracticabie, In the
Rave Of inf6gn aa Sy come fo Re9 9fTy
knowledge-broken glmpses only have been per-
ndeate eoSdlton our OF erea t ang
general moTalizstion: OF this the findings Of the
dencs; as also DO the published orders of com,
governors.
CHARGES OF WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER
The letter then discusses the kill and burn.
order. and says:
lions so inspired. official report indicates that
out Of total population in single district Of
10000, not less than 10000 persisted
The letter then alIudes to the water cure. saving
that the FIRST reports Of its practice met with de-
malls while evidence before the Senate Philippine
Committee proved conelIsvely that this and other
forms of torture had been used. and adds:
Where inquiry revealed the systematic use NJ
torture ny suoordinates the ofticer in responsible
command AS f. gFononneea free from blame the
duties OF his position was so Complete that sucb
trivial incidents failed attract his notice Sfct
finding is certainly suggestive. ~
Finally. every severity 10 he state 10
war-practlces which have excited the snecisi re,
rotation of the American people when reporte5 ss
features OF The hostlites IA Cuba under the Snan-
ish regime or in South Africa during the Boer
whr-have been OF undisputed and freGunnt occnr-
renee in the Philippines From the earl, beoJr
sling OF operations there il has been the general