The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-23
Thinks Conditions in
Philippines Have Very
Bright Outlook.
REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT
Comments on Waller Case-Good Work
of General Bell in Securing Guns and
Surrender of Natives-H0ngkoIg Junta
Not to Be Trusted.

The War Department has received let
ter from Major General Chaffee at Manila
in which he tells of the military situation
in the islands, and takes an encouraging
view of the future. The letter was written
on March IL. the day the court-martiai
met for the trial OF Major Waller, OF the
Marine Corps, on charges OF which nc was
subsequently acquitted Of cruelty to Fill
pino natives in Samar. He says:
"a general court martial Of Importance
meets here today. You will probably no
tice in the press dispatches that 1t is for
the trial of Major Waller and Lieutenant
Day of the Marine Corps. The purpose OF
this trial is to inquire into an unlawful
execution OF some natives by these Of
fcers.
THE cause Of the execution Is alleged
to be that the natives turned on the ma
rines in the mountains. and tried 20 take
the life of Lieutenant Williams. The ma
tives came out of the mountains with the
command. however. and when sent to
Major Waller that they had assaulted
Lieutenant Williams of the Marine Corps,
and in other ways turned traitors to the
command
Major Waller. on what l think very
slight inquiry, ordered them executed.
They were his prisoners at the time, and,
of course. should have been tried, IL be-
lieved 10 be guilty of the offensc alleged.
Il am investigating one OF two other in
stances where it is alleged prisoners have
been shot. Report has not been received
Good Camping Ground.
While at APART ran up the river on
my launch some nine miles. to take a
look at the place selected to construct Q
post for four companies Of the Sixteenth.
The ground is high and rolling, and /
think will prove very satisfactory, 1t GER
tainly can be easily drained. 1t is on
the left bank of the river, and boat
drawing ten or twelve feet can go I'D to
that place. Major Stevens is now in the
valley OF the Cagayan looking after con-
struction of quarters for the Sixteenth.
While at Vigan ! received a dispatch
about the Morong disturbances and re-
piled from there. Such incidents need
not OCCASION much anxiety: they are liza
BILE to occur in various provinces for a
year or so. for II must be remembered
that very many Of the people like ladron-
ism, as we call it out here. and perhaps
think 1t easier to make living by theft
rather than honest toll
The presidente of Cainta has been
strong friend of the Americans for long
time. and has done much to assist them
in securing arms in that province He
has undoubtedly made for himself by this
course many enemies. and no doubt this
had something to do with his being kid
mapped. The parties who did this, as we
believe, belong in the vicinity of this
place. Captain Rowland, of General
Wheaton's staff. went there to investl-
gate the mater. and he is fully satisfied
that the fifty or sixty men belong in the
province of Morong. and that they were
not parties driven out of Cavite. Lagura.
and Batangas by General Bell. The presi-
dente escaped from them. A few only of
this band have thus far been captured.
The rest, no doubt. have secreted their
arms and returned to the various pueblos
from whence they started.
Since November | we have abandoned
212 stations. This has been accomplished
mainly by Withdrawing attachments into
the station of the captain.