West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-02-05
Taft Told Senate Committee
of Their Work, m the
Philippines.
ACUINALDO HAD LUNA KILLED.
Guerilla Tactics Continued Actively
Until Last Presidential Election
Was Decided-ProbabIy Some Cases
of Killing and Cruelty.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Governor Taft
continued his narrative before the
senate committee on the Philippines
concerning the conditions in the Phil-
ippine archipelago.
Referring to his testimony Ct Mon
given wrong impression concerning
the part the army had played in
bringing the instruction to an end,
but if so this was due to the fact that
he could not present a correct in-
preston OF the whole situation from
one point Of view. Then, in order to
give the army its just dues, he took
up and analysed its work in the
islands. He recalled that as soon as
General Otis had received reinforce
ments sufficient for his purposes the
Philippine army had broken up and
scattered into guerilla bands. On
this point Aguinaldo and Luna had
differed, Luna advocating the contin-
uance of the war on the old lines So
sharp was this difference, he said,
that Aguinaldo had directed and Sc
cured the assassination of Luna, thus
leaving the way open for the carry
ing out OF his own plans. He would
not, he said, report the incident if il
had not been positively reported to
him by General Funston. Aguinaldo
said that if he did not kill Luna.
Luna would kill him. Indeed, the Gus
torn was to order a mans death III
his absence and have him killed upon
his return. The presence of these
guerilla bands rendered it necessary
to place garrisons everywhere, there
being at one time as many rs 500 of
them. This rendered the work before
the army very arduous, and the ac-
tivity, the skill and the bravery Of
the American troops were such as to
soon render the enemy tired of thu
warfare.
Active Pending Election esuits.
1.-The condition of activity continued
until the last presidential election in
the United States" said the governor.
THE insurgents believed that if Mr.
Bryan should be elected there would
be a change Of policy and the islands
surrendered, placing those who were
in instruction in charge, but when
Mr.. Mckinley was elected there was
feeling that there would be an in
definite retention of the archipelago,
and that the system then in force
would be continued
Discussing the effect of the guer-
rilla warfare, Governor Taft said it
often resulted in the murder of the
F1hpinos themselves. Il venture 10
say that there is not q Filipino gen
eral or commanding officer who could
not be convicted of responsibility for
the killing Of their own people"
This led him to speak Of the traits
| OF the Filipinos, one of which, he said.
is cruelty. He had been told by
American officers OF many instances
| OF mutilation Of the corpses of our
soldiers. This slng true, it was not
surprising that there had been some
retaliation on the part of small bands
or American soldiers. He had heard
Vi III charge Oh mutation, but there
probably were some cases of unnee.
sary Killing; some cases of whipping
and some cases of what is called the
water cure, this method Of punish
ment consisting Of pouring wate~
down the Threats of men until they
would swell up. and becoming fright.
ened would tell what they might
know, as, for instance, as to where
guns could be secured. In this con
nectlon he called attention to the
orders Of General Macarthur as to
these practices, which were, he said
very strict. II these infractions Of
propriety had occurred he was sure
they had been in the face of direct
orders to the contrary.