The Lamar register., 1902-05-07
GENERAL SMITHS TRIAL ENDED.
Court Will Forward Its Findings to
Washington.

Manila, May 4.-The trial by court
martial of Gen. Jacob ii. Smith ended
yesterday The findings of the court
will be forwarded to Washington. The
general impression here is that he VIII
be acquitted.
The closing address of Col. Charles
a. Woodruff for the defense, was
remarkable Orntorical effort that drew
tears from his hearers. He dramatic
ally sketched General Smiths career
and declared he had conducted II re-
markable and successful campaign in
IL manner which reflected credit on his
vaior, humanity and kindness.
Speaking in impassioned tones,
Colonel Woodruff said that III olden
times victorious generals tied captives
to their chariots. In this case the gem
eral finds himself tied. Sentiment was
an excellent thing, but there Is no
place for 1t in war.
1--WE claim" continued the colonel,
"that the Samar campaign. just
brought to II successful termination,
while pushed actively, vigorously ana
encrgetically, was ever conducted Will
in the limits of the rules of war. Dur
ing the last few months 1t has seemed
popular to criticise the army in the
philippines. People seem to have for
gotten its magnificent services Tor
Americn's honor and glory. We have
been worthy members of the army,
whose bayonets never flashed except
in the defense of the law. Yet, today,
we are apparently disgraced. Why! l
cannot imagine that people at home
expect to gain glory ana political ad-
yancement by abusing the army. 1t
was tried after the Mexican war. 1t
was tried in the Civil War, with the
result that Grant, the butcher, was
elected President, and died loved ana
honored by every American.
while the campaigns in the Phil
| ippines have not been conducted to
| meet the views of sentimentnlists ana
| troublesome busybodies in the United
States, they have been conducted on
lines which have reflected credit upon
the valor, pluck, humanity and kind
ness of American soldiers"
| Colonel Woodruff reviewed the evil
| dence Mt length, showing the necessity
for making Samar n ''howling wilder
ness and comparing the campaign in
| that island with the strenuous march
to the sea, whose route was marked
by n cloud of smoke by day ana by Il
pillar of fire by night
The colonel cited instances of mill
tary law In behalf of the defense and
dramatically portrayed General
Smiths career. Now" continued
Colonel Woodruff, after wearing for
forty-one years the uniform of the
| United States with honor to himself
| and to the benefit of the government
at the close of remarkably success
full campaign, in which lie accom-
plished what Spain was unable to dc
in 200 years, while returning, as his
friends thought, covered with glory
he was halted and taken off trans
port to face charges growing out OF
the language used in giving instruc
tions for the conduct of successful
campaign. The defense feels that the
overwhelming public sentiment, based
on rumors fostered for ignoble and un
known purposes, until hysteria was
produced Then this gray, wounded
victorious general was exposed TO the
indignity of trial, in Difference Il
hystericnl public opinion"
Colonel Woodruff, continuing, said:
"General Smith faces the conscience
of the court and the people with thu
full knowledge that he did his duty a
an honorable commander"
The Judge advocate, Major Henry c
: Carbaugh, in closing for the rrosecu
tion. declared the defense admitted ev
4 erything and that it only claimed jus
| titication He said General Smiths or
: ders, given to Major Waller on til
i bloody battle ground at Balingiga
We're such as to cause men to ac
ruthlessly, in II spirit of revenge.