The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-30
Leads all North Carolina Daes i'm News and C1reulatio

that there was no massacre of troops or
killing of prisoners at Fort Pillow.
Mr.. Teller was continuing his remarks
about General Smiths order when he
was interrupted by Mr.. Fairbanks. 81
do not understand said he. "that the
Government approves of General Smiths
alleged order. 1t has ordered court
martial to try General Smith,
Mr.. Teller offered an amendment to
the bill providing for a commission to
be appointed by the President, and to
consist of not less than seven nor more
than fifteen persons to proceed to the
Philippines and try to secure a lasting
peace between the United States and
the Fllipinos. The United States to pay
the commissioners salaries of $4,000 a
year each and all expenses.
Mr.. Teller continued his discussion of
General Smiths order, which he said,
| had shocked the public mind in this
country, regardless of party affiliations.
He said he would despair of our Govern
ment If the American people should not
repudiate such an order.
If, said he, it be true that he is-
sued such an order l believe the officer
! ought to be dismissed from the service
He said he would despise himself if he
did not enter his protest against such
| inhumanity as was evinced by the order
of General Smith,
In the records of all the great wars
since the Middle Ages" he declared. syou
cannot find such a disgraceful and wicked
order az that issued by General Smith,
Mr.. Lodge said nothing was known
here OF General Smiths order until it
WaS pleaded by Major Waller as a de-
tense for his action in Samar. AS soon
as Waller had pleaded that order as his
defense the President himself had direct
ed that General Smith be court mar
tailed. He said he did not know wheth-
+, er the order OF General Smith was YER
! bal or written.
Mr.. Carmack (Tenn.), insisted the evil
dence indicated that orders of very
extreme character issued in the Philip
pines were being suppressed, not, he be-
lieved, by the War Department but by
the military authorities in the Philip
! pines.
In calling attention to the report Of
! Secretary of Batangas province that
there had been so great mortality in the
| province as to reduce the population
from 100000 to about 100000 the NOR
tality being due to disease, Mr.. Tilman
inquired whether the Philippine commits
sion had investigated that matter.
When informed that it had not, he ex-
claimed
well how long are We going to hold
on to this bag of cats? What benefit is
it to the American people to pursue this
infamous policy?'
! AS the running colloquy continued, Mr..
Culberson asked Mr. Lodge if he endorsed
the order issued by General Bell.
NO, replied Mr.. Lodge. 81 do not
endorse cruel methods of warfare. Cen
eral Smiths order is one which every
American should regret. On the surface
those orders seem to me to be revolt
ing"
In explaining. the great mortality
among the inhabitants OF Batangas, Mr..
Bacon (Ga.), expressed the belief that
the disease among the natives had been
caused by the laying waste of the prov
irce by war. Crops had been destroyed
and the inhabitants had been confronted
almost by a condition of famine
Mr. Teller in conclusion declared that
this government could not escape the
condemnation of the world and of every
right thinking man for this miserable,
wicked attempt to compel those people
to accept our government whether they
desire it or not"