The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-11
ARMY METHODS IN TAYABAS
CONDEMNED As TENDING TO FOSTER
HATRED AMONG FILIPINOS.
Natives Alleged to Have Been Tor
tured-Judge Taft's Statement
General MacArthur's Testimony.

Governor of the Philippine province Of
Tayabas to which reference was made by
General Miles, in his correspondence with
Secretary Root. This report had been with
held, and this caused the adoption of a res
olution at the last meeting of the COM
mittee, requesting the secretary Of war to
send the report to the committee.
The report is dated Dec. 16, 1901, and is
largely review of the conditions in the
province, and tells what was done in the
way of a campaign against the insurgents.
In the course of the report the Governor
says: "a vigorous campaign was at once
organized against insurgents in arms, with
the troops acting under positive orders to
shoot no unarmed natives, and to burn no
houses except barracks. Looting was pro-
hibited under the strictest penalties. Com
pany and other commanders were ordered
to pay for everything taken for necessity,
or bought from natives
The Governor, in lengthy details, tells
about what was done and then recon-
mends that the operations against the in
surgents should be by a force of natives.
He has travelled all over the province with
no other escort than natives.
In another recommendation he says: "As
civil Governor, feel it is my duty to say
that it is my firm conviction that the
United States troops should, at the earliest
opportunity, be concentrated in one or two
garrsons, if it is thought desirable that
the good sentiment and order that formerly
existed to the United States among the
people of this province should be conserved
and encouraged. Being in close touch with
the people, having visited all the Pueblos
one or more times, having lived with them
in their homes, l know that such a senti-
ment once existed. OF late, by reason of
the conduct of the troops, such as the ex-
tensive burning of the barriOs in trying to
lay waste the country that the insurg-
ents cannot occupy it, the torturing of ma
tives by so-called water-cure and other
methods in order to obtain information,
the harsh treatment of natives generally,
and the failure of inexperienced and lately
appointed heutenants commanding posts,
to distinguish between those who are
friendly, and those unfriendly and to treat
every native as If he were whether or no,
an insurrecto at heart, this favorable
timent above referred to, is being fast de-
stroyed and a deep hatred toward us en-
gendered II these things need be done,
they had best be done by native troops so
not be credited Herewith.
NATIVES CALLED ''NIGGERS."
Almost without exception soldiers and
also many officers refer to natives in their
presence as 'niggers,' and natives are be-
ginning TO understand what the word mig
ger means.
1.-THE course now being pursued in this
province, and in the provinces of Batangas,
/ fe in rf,,sO
sowing the seeds of perpetual revolution
against us hereafter whenever a good OPP
portunity offers. Under present conditions
the political situation in this province is
slowly retrograding, and the American SEN
timent is decreasing and we are daily max
! ing permanent enemies.
I'm the course above referred to, troops
make no distinction often between the prop
erty of those natives who are insurgents or
insurgent sympathizers and the property of
those who heretofore have risked their lives
by being loyal TO the United States and
giving us information against their coun-
trymen in arms. Nearly every house in a
barrio is burned.
I'm nv opinion the small number of ir-
reconciliable insurgents still in arms, al
though admittedly difficult to catch does
not Justify the means employed, especially
when taking into consideration the suf-
fering that must be undergone by the in
nocent and it's effect upon the relations
with these people hereafter.
1.-The work of the Philippine Commission
and the laws that have been enacted by
| it, are everywhere favorably commented
upon by the natives. The efforts being
made for the general educatio of the
people are appreciated by all. The pro-
vincial government and the municipal gov
/ ernments established are slowly bringing
order out of chaos and anarchy, and there
/ begins to be visible everywhere in this
province progress and prosperity. True
! LOYALTY and contentment can only come
/ under a benign civil government.
HOSTILE TO CIVIL RULE
1.-THE attitude of the army, thereby mean
ing most of it's officers and it's soldiers, is,
however, decidedly hostile to the provincial
and municipal government in this province
and to civil government in these islands
in general. In Manila, especially, it is in
tensely so, even among the higher Of
| fcers The work of the commission in
the establishing of provincial governments
is ridiculed even in the presence of the
| natives 1t is intimated that the army
| should remain in charge for the next
! twenty years. Outrages committed by Of
! ficers and soldiers against natives in an
! organized municipality and province, when
/ reported by the presidente or governor to
/ the military authorities, are often not pun
| ished. This, in my opinion, is unfortunate,
/ because loyal natives begin to fear that
| local self-government, promised them, will
not last long and that any slight disturb
ance in a province might be at any time
]
/ tary rule, and this is just the thing that
| the insurgents al heart most desire
/ 1T has been stated that q Filipino, or
/ an Oriental, does not appreciate Just or
/ kindly treatment, and that he considers it
/ an evidence of weakness, and that severe
| and harsh measures are the only ones that
/ are permanently effective with F'iIipinos 1
have found that just and kind treatment,
| uniform and continued. is the only way by
which these people can become our friends
and be satisfied with United States SOW
ereignty.
Having been stationed six years on the
/ Rio Grande, l am we'll acquainted with the
natives of the State of Tamaulipas Mexico
and while stationed in the province OF San
! Ia Clara, Cuba, L visited every town in
/ that province, and was able TO observe the
/ intelngenc and education there. l believe
that the people OF Tayabas province are,
! in every way superior in education intel
| Iigence, morals and civilization TO the peo-
! pie of Tamaulpas or Santa Clara.
! las an officer of the army L regret that
my duty as civil Governor of this province
| impels me to state the attitude of the ma
! tority of my fellow-of1cers toward civil
! government in these islands, and its eff
| feet upon the people. but l feel that the
interests of the government involved. and
the future of these people. for whose well
fare we are responsible, are OF such vast
| Importance that / ought 10 report things
| as / see and know them. in order that my
| civil superiors may be able intellgently to
order what the situation demands"
| With the report is a copy OF the letter OF
| General Corbin to General Chaffee. dated
a