The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-12
He Tells the COurt-Martia1 that He
Shot Natives of Samar Because
They Were TreacherOus.
SAYS THEY REVEL IN BLOOD
HAVE APPETITE FOR wANTON SAC
RILEGE OF THE HUMAN BODY,
And Denounces Them as Thieves
Does Not Believe He should
BE Called N Murderer.

MANILA April 1.-MajOr Littleton w.
r Waller, of the marine corps, on trial
by cOurt-martial, charged with executing
Samar natives without trial. addressed the
court to-day. The major said he was either
right or wrong in his actions, and added
that he desired to cite five precedents
which came under the head of his own
case He alluded to the naval battle at
Santiago and the humanity he had shown
to Spaniards who were captured, and said
he had many letters from Spaniards thank
ing him for the kindness he had shown
them.
The major said that in 1882 he was with
the British forces in Egypt, where Arabs
captured pickets of Bengal cavalry, de-
capitated the prisoners and placed their
heads on poles. Afterwards all the Arabs
who were caught were shot without trial.
During the campaign in China the Chi
nese mutilated the dead and tortured the
wounded to death. Consequently when a
Boxer or a fanatic was captured he was
executed Immediately without reference.
This was true jim the case of the troops
of every nation in China. 1t was true dur
ing the three weeks he commanded the
Americans there. But the same thing oc
Cured later, when he was no longer in
command. No protest was made and he
had every right to believe that his acts
were approved, far as the American
forces were concerned. He knew they
were approved by those of other nations.
1T is impossible TO conceive such treach-
cry as that of the natives OF Samar, said
the major. They revel in blood and have
an appetite for wanton sacrilege Of the
human body. These fiends stole Captain
COrnells class ring, filled the soldiers
nd TOD
murder my command. | shot them:
honestly thought then that L was right
and l believe so now. Neither my people
nor the world will believe me to be a muir
derer."
Captain Arthur Mark, marine corps,
representing Major Waller, in a forceful
argument, maintained that Walters actions
were justified by martial law, quoting
numerous authorities on the subject. Cap
tain Mark also said he regretted very
much that the prosecution had seen fit
to call General Smith. He claimed that all
the testimony went TO show that the major
was justified. At the close OF the argu-
ments for the defense the general feeling
was that the result of the trial will be
the acquittal Of the major
The judge advocate, Major Henry =.
Kingbury. of the Third Cavalry, will reply
tomorrow.
WASHINGTON. April 11.-Secretary Root
is not now In position to take any action
with regard TO the allegations of extreme
military measures on the part of General
Smith, who commanded the American
troops in the Island of Samar, which have
been made in the Waller court-martial at
Manila. The secretary said to-day that if
General Smith had committed a breach
Of the rules of war I'm the Samar campaign
the War Department will take steps to
discipline that officer Up to this time It
IS said the statements concerning General
Smiths administration have been made
only during the taking of evidence at the
court-martial. and have not been presented
in official manner to the secretary of
war