Evening star., 1902-05-06

Senator Lodge laid before the Senate
committee on the Philippines today the re-
ply of General Chaffee to the cablegram
Of the Secretary of War in reference to
the charges of Major Cornelius Gardener
Of cruelties inflicted on the F'ilipinos, also
a list of over 300 officers and enlisted men
in the United States army who have been
tried by court-martial for offenses against
natives; also a list of natives tried by mill
tary commissions for cruelties to United
States soldiers and violation of the laws of
war.
Gen. Chaffee's Report.
The cablegram from General Chaffee was
received at the War Department May 4,
and is as follows:
Reference to cable Sd, Secretary of War,
to send the following: Major Cornelius Gar
dener's first letter contained no specifca-
tions on which l could act. From his sec
ond letter, however, in order to comply with
the present instructions l submit in the
form of charges the following data, which
are complete possible under the con-
ditions in which l am at present situated:
Charge-The troops that succeeded the
volunteers did not keep up the scouting and
patrOlling system.
Specitication-That the troops stationed in
the central towns of Tayabas, to wit, in
Lucban, Tayabas. Lucena and Saviayo did
in the spring of 1901 for about three months
fail to scout patrol the country except
as escort to wagon trains on the main
roads
Charge-Burning of barrlOs or villages.
Specification-That troops during the fall
of 1901 burned a number of barros belong
ing to Dolores and adjacent town.
Torturing natives
Specification THAT certain United States
troops coming from San Pablo in or near
the town of Dolores tortured native by
the water cure. This during the summer
of 1901.
Specification II-That the commanding
officer of Laguimanoc, during the summer
of 1901, tortured or maltreated a native
boy.
Specification III-That troops coming from
Lucena or Tayabas on several occasions
tortured natives belonging to the pueblo
of Pagbilao. This during the summer and
fall of 1901
Charge-Harsh treatment of natives.
Specification THAT men belonging 70 a
detachment of soldiers stationed at Can
delaria looted a store in that town about
the month of November, 1901.
Specification II-That detachment of
tt oops took away from a peaceful citizen of
Dolores pony. This about the month of
September, 1901.
Specification III.-That the house of a
native of Candelaria forcibly taken for a
smallpox hospital and afterWard burned by
order of the surgeon at Sariaya; that the
said native was not remunerated. This in
Candelaria in July, 1901
Specification IV-That First Lieut.. George
Dec Catlin did strike with his fist natives
of Lucena for failing to take off their hats
to him and did forcibly with threats compel
a native to deal cards for him. This about
September, SOL
Specification What First Lieut. George
DEG. Catlin, at Calanauan, did keep in the
guard house for three days native with
out food or water. This about September,
1901.
Specification V1-That First Lieut.. George
Dec. Catlin did strike natives in the face
for failing to remove their hats. This while
he was in command at that post.
Specification V1I-That a party of soldiers
attacked with pistols three natives working
on the roads near Lucena. This about No
vember, 1901
Specification VIII-That certain soldiers
belonging to a troop of cavalry stationed in
Tayabas pueblo did violate five women of
that town by force. This in the month of
January or February, 1901.
The dates are approximate and the facts
from complaints made to me stated to the
best of my recollection. CHAFFEE.
Senator Lodge stated to the committee
that he had received information that at
the time mentioned Lieut.. Catlin's mind
was impaired, and that at the present time
he is undergoing treatment in this country.
Former Sergeant's Story.
r. " Hughes of Philadelphia, formerly
a sergeant in Company H, Sth United States
Infantry, was then heard.
Mr.. Hughes testified that his service COW
cred a period of three years, one year of
which was spent in the Philippines. He
had, he said, witnessed the application of
the water cure. In September, 1901, a de-
tachment Of the Sth Infantry, under Lieut.
Merchant, going into Magdalena, captured
tnSurrecto, who was requested to give
Information as to the whereabouts of in
surgents. BY order Of Lieut.. Merchant, the
witness said, Private Hale knocked the man
down twice. He was allowed to go. but
soon after another supposed inSurrecto was
captured and beaten across the chest with a
stick, with the view Of extracting from him
information concerning the whereabouts Of
the insurgents The man told all he knew
but believing him to be telling untruth
the water cure was given him. No new
information was obtained, however.
Answering question by Senator Culber-
son. the witness admitted that this was the
only instance in which he had witnessed
the cure, and that he had not seen Fill
pinos subjected to harsh treatment aside
from the water cure. He qualified his state
ment by saying that Filipino prisoners were
on one occasion utilized to carry officers
wives In bamboo chairs, seven miles from
Santa Cruz to Magdalena.
He told of the burning of native houses
in one of which was crippled native Wo-
man. The order to burn was issued by
Lieut.. Merchant. The women, he said. were
elected from the houses and left to sleep on
the ground.
He described other instances of burning,
and answering an inquiry by Senator Lodge
said that the insurgents engaged in similar
work. On further questioning he said he
knew of an instance where an American
soldier. who had drawn his pay, had visited
canteen, but never returned, having been
found several days later cut to pieces with
bolos.
In reply to Senator Beveridge the witness
said that Filipino prisoners were well treat
ed by the American soldiers, and, with the
exception of roast beef occasionally issued
to the soldiers. they had practically the
same food. The sick among the Filipino
prisoners also Were well cared for. AS for
himself. he had treated the Philippine peo-
pie as well as he would other people under
the same circumstances. This testimony re-
lated to Batangas province. but Mr. Hughes
said that he had left that province before
General Bell issued his Recommendation or
der.
The committee adjourned until Thursday