The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-07


Taft today continued his narrative be-
fore the senate committee on the Phil
ippines concerning conditions in the
Philippine archipelago.
Governor Taft analysed the work OF
the army in the islands. He recalled
that as soon as General Otis had receiv-
ed reinforcements sufficient for his pur
poses the Philippine army had broken
up and scattered into guerrilla bands.
On this point Aguinaldo and Luna had
differed. Luna advocating the continu-
ance Of the war on the old lines. So
sharp was this difference. he SAID. that
Aguinaldo had directed and secured the
assassination Of Luna thus leaving the
way open for the carrying out OF his
own plans.
The presence of these guerilla bands
rendered it necessary to place garri-
sons everywhere. there being at one
time as many as 500 Of them.
THE condition Of activity continued
| until the last presidential election In the
United States" said the governor. THE
insurgents believed that if MIR. Bryan
should be elected there would be :.
change Of policy and the islands surren-
dered, placing those who were in in
surrection in charge; but when Mr.
kinney was elected there was a feeling
| that there would be an indefinite rs,-
| tention of the archipelago and that h,
| system then in force would be continu-
ed"
| Governor Taft said one of the traits
Of the Filipinos is cruelty. He had beer
| told by American officers of many in
| stances of mutilation of the corpses oi
| our soldiers. This being true. it was
| not Surpr sing that there had beer
| some retaliation on the part of small
| bands of American soldiers. He ha'
| heard of no charge of nut lation, bu
there were probably some cases Of unu
| Sual killing. some cases of whipping An.
some cases Of what is called the "wa
| ter cure" this method of punishment
| consisting of pouring water down tn
| throatS Of men until they swell. ed VI
and. becoming frightened. told wha
| they knew, as for instance. where gun
could be secured. If these infract.on
of propriety had occurred he was sur
thev had been in the face Of direct a
ders to the contrary.
Governor Ttaft said that notwith
standing he was not In an atti .uda G
favor to military rule. it was sti ! hi
deliberate judgement that never had
war been Quoted in W .cl more com
passion, more restraint and more ger
erosity had been exhibited than in con
nection with the American war in tn
Philippines.
In this connection Senator Culherso
made inquiry concerning the effect q
policy of concentration in the Philin
pines.
Replying, Governor Taft said tina
; General Bells order for concentra tio
had been published since his departnr
from Manila. TTe had. however. talke
with General Bell on that point an
had told him that he did not conside
such an order necessary.
After reading a part Of General Bell
order Senator Culberson asked IL h
still entertained the same opinions pre-
viously expressed as to the military pol
icy in the Philippines.
To this Governor Taft replied: 9TH
war which remains Is crime agains
| civilization. II is also a crime agains
the Filipino people to keep up a stat
: of war under the circumstances. Th7
have worn out the right to any treat
ment but that which is severe and +yith
| in the laws OF war;.
This statement led Senators Patterso
| to ask whether the witness did not con
slider that even a small number of pc"
pie who were waging a war for inde
| rendence do not deserve consideratio
at the hands Of he Ameri a / army.
In response. Governor Taft said tha
the great majority of the people Of tn
islands desire peace and that the insur
! rectionists were by their acts prevent
ing the mass of the people from SET
, fling down and earning a quiet Twins
| Instead Of being allowed to do this the
! were kept under a system OF terror.sr
which should be stopped.
Democratic members Of the commit
| tee read statements from General Mao
| Arthur and others expressing the opir
ion that the hostility Of the Filipiros
American institutions is due to inna'
differences and is general. but Cover
or Taft replied that he had approache
= the question at issue from a differer
standpoint from these authorities ar
said that most Of his conclusions WEI
drawn from contact with the Filipinf
themselves
In conclusion Governor Taft We
questioned concerning the acts OF ~
| Philippine commission for the punisf
ment Of treason. but he expressed Il.
sire to postpone discussion OF this ma
| ter to a time when more attent'n
could he given IL. He had not he sal
heen present when this law was enar
edf but he had an opinion on the sui
ject which he would be glad TO give.