Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-08-11

ally and by accident merely, have fragments
of information come to general knowledge
broken glimpses only have been per-
mitted to reach the public eye. To our
minds they indicate Enthusiastically condi-
ton of great and general generalization.
Of this, the findings of the court-martial
referred to afford conclusive evidence, as
also do the published orders of command
ing officers and the reports of provincial
governors"
The letter then discusses the "kill and
burn" order, and says:
GAS the not unnatural result of military
operations so inspired, an official report
indicates that, out of total population in
single district of 800, 900, not less than
100000 perShed."
The letter then alludeS to the water cure,
saying that the first reports of its practice
met with denials, while evidence before the
senate Philippine committee proved con-
cluSively that this and other forms of tor
ture had been used, and adds,
''Where inquiry revealed the systematic
use of the torture by subordinates, the Off
Ger in responsible command is pronounced
free from blame on the ground that his
praiSeworthy absorption in other duties of
his position was SO complete that such
trivial incidents failed to attract his notice,
Such finding is certainly suggestive.
"Finally, every severity known to the
state of war, practices which have excited
the special Reproduction of the American
people, when reported as features of the
hOStiitieS in Cuba, under the Spanish regi-
me, or in South Africa, during the Boer
war, have been of undisputed occurrence
IT, the Philippines. From the early begin
ming of operations there, it has been the
practice, if not actually the order, to kill
those wounded in a conflict
"ln like manner, as respects concentra-
ton camps: These, as a feature in recent
Spanish and South African operations, ex-
cited in us, as people. the deepest indig-
nation, combined with the most profound
sympathy for those numerically dealt
with. When resorted to by our officials in
the Philippines, these camps are repre-
sented as species of recreation grounds,
into which the inhabitants of large districts
rejoiced to be drawn, and from which they
departed with sorrow. Reports to which
we can, on the other hand. refer, give of
them accounts not essentially different
from the accounts received of similar
camps established elsewhere"
The letter quotes communication to
TIC SCldtC ny StSIetdIy NOOt Oh
IA, in which Mr.. Root says:
"The war in the Philippines has been
conducted by the American army with
warfare, with careful and genuine consider
alton for the prisoner and the non-combat-
ants; with self restraint and with humanity
never surpassed, if ever equaled, in any
conflict, worthy only of praise, and reflect
mo cra6it upoO tta Atnaricar v,or,>1a
"TheSe Words" continues the letter, "of
sweeping commentator and unqualified
Endorsement, were written by the honora-
bic secretary when all the essential facts
since brought to light were within his Off
cial cognizance. You have given public
assurance that the secretary is more desir-
Gus than yourself, if possible, to probe to
the bottom every responsible allegation Of
outrage and torture, to the end that moth
ing be concealed and no man be for any
reason favored or shielded. The draft on
our credulty thus presented is large, but
we accept your assurance. Meanwhile.
permit us to point out that such very
sweeping and somewhat uncalled for COM
mendation and approval; so far as we are
advised, altogether unprecedented in char
acter, coming directly, and in the mild
state of active operations from the foun-
tain head of military authority, is scarcely
calculated to keep moral check over acts
of an improper character by subordinateS.
at is charitable to assume that the pres.
sure of official business at the time of the
communication referred to was such that
the secretary failed to recall himself as tC
what the files of his department might have
to disclose.
'Such are certain of the conclusion.
reached by us from as careful study as has
been in our power to make of facts thus
far procurable. We have endeavored to
supplement and perfect the evidence, but
our efforts to that end have encountered
obstructive embarraSSmentS.
1.-The allegations we make are grave; the
condition OF affairs we describe serious. As
a national record it is diScreditable. The
good name OF the country is implicated; as
also is the professional character of officers
of the army, some of them retired, many
still in high command. We stand ready to
cooperate directly and in utmost good
faith, to the end that all offenders may be
brought to justice and the guilty punished
In this communication we have made ref
erence to the personal application which is
obvious and OF record, To those thus re-
ferred to, courts of military inquiry are
open; and, if demanded, would doubtless
be at once accorded. Before such courts,
if once convened, we will hold ourselves
prepared to substantiate any or all charges
here advanced.
"We find ourselves, though we deeply
regret it, compelled to take issue with you
on one important order.
''In your review of July IA, you say
almost universally the higher officers have
SO borne themselves as to supply the neces-
Sary check over acts of an improper char
acter by their Subordinates.' We. on the
contrary, have found ourselves impelled to
the belief that the acts referred to were far
more general-the decentralization morally
pervasive. We hold ourselves ready to
direct your attention to concrete cases, in
the investigation of which we would dem
onStrate the following criminal acts, con-
trary to all recognized rules and uSages OF
war, on the part of officers and soldiers OF
the United States.
"Frst-Kidnapping and murder, under
circumstances of aggravated brutality.
"Second-Robbery.
"Third-Torture, both of men and wo.
men, and criminal assault of the latter.
"Fourth-The infliction of death on 9TH
err parties, on the strength of evidence elic'
tied through torture"