The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-19
TO PROMOTE PEACE
HOW FILIPINOs WE'RE TO BE
TAUGHT ITS VALUE.
ORDERS ISSUED IN sAMAR.
WAR WAS TO BE MADE A HoR-
RIBLE REALITY.

station Commanders of Sixth Brig
ade Were Instructed to Regard
wealthy FfIipinos with suspicion
and to Treat All as Enemies Until
They Had Proven to BE Friends.
In This Way n ''Burning Desire
for Peace" Was to Be Created.
Gems. Smith and Bell Seem to Have
Been More Reasonable in Their
Orders.
Washington, April 1S-The Secretary
of War has placed in the hands of the
Senate Committee on the Philippines a
large number of orders, circulars and
reports bearing upon the conduct of
military affairs in the unpacified prov
inces of the Philippines.
On Dec. "a last, Capt. w. e. Aver,
adjutant general Of the sixth brigade,
issued a circular to the station COM
manders in Samar, in which the
conviction was expressed that the
wealthy classes or "pudientes," among
the natives were, while protesting
friendship toward the Americans, more
responsible than any others for the -
continuance of hostilities. Under such
conditions, he said, the only course to
pursue would be one that would
Create in the minds of all a burning
desire for peace-a desire or longing
so intense, so personal, so real that it
will impell them to join hands with the
Americans in the accomplishment Of
that end"
Announcing the policy of the brigade,
he said it would be from, this time
on to wage war in the sharpest and
most decisive manner possible"
Giving instructions for the carrying
out of this order, he said that young
officers were to be given great latitude
for their conduct in harassing the en-
envy, and that. natives, and especially
those of wealth and influence. were to
be regarded with suspicion, adding:
Every native, whether in arms or liv-
ing in the pueblos or barrios, will be
regarded and treated as an enemy I'M
til he has conclusively shown that he
is friend"
Suspected persons should be appre-
hended. and if there was not sufficient
evidence to convict they should be held
as military necessity. This direction
was made especially applicable to
priests, of whom Capt, Aver said that
their profession would mot be suffi-
Gent to protect them"
In February, 1902, Gen. Smith, the
brigade commander in Samar. an
nounced that he was convinced opposi-
ton had crumbled away and coun-
seled a softening of the rigors of war,
saying, ''watchfulness and kindness
henceforth must go hand in hand"
Vengeance ON Prisoners.
In December, 1901, Gen. j. f. Bell
issued a circular, saying
Wherever prisoners or unarmed or
defenseless Americans or natives
friendly to the United States govern
ment are murdered or assassinated for
political reasons and this fact can be
established it is his purpose to exc
cute a prisoner of war under the au-
thority contained in Sections So and
14S. This prisoner of war will be
selected by lot from among the officers
or prominent citizens held as prisoners
of war, and will be chosen when prac-
ticable from those who belong TO the
town where the murder or assassin
occurred"
Several orders were issued by Gen.
Bell against permitting any monopoly
of food products and extortion IN
prices.
Instructions were given to make ex-
ceptions to all persons who had DEM
onstrated loyalty. Their lives, fami-
lies and property will not only be given
protection, so far as practicable,
against insurgents. but viii be care
fully respected by our troops
Especial warning is given against
looting.