The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-26
FILIPINO PRAISE FOR
AMERICAN TROOPS
Many Petitions From Natives
Transmitted to Congress.
ASK RETENTION OF SOLDIERS
Tributes Paid to Character OF Various
Officers-Presence of Soldiers Dis
closed to Be ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ence Transmitted by War Department

the Senate Philippines Committee yester
day bulky bundle of petitions from ma
tives OF the Philippines asking for the re
tention of United States troops at Ger
tain points and commenting the conduc
and character of number of army Off
GERS and their commands.
These petitions and other papers in
closed are intended for the Information o
the committee in its consideration of it
charges of cruelty against American Off
GERS and soldiers. The following seIf-ex
planatory memorandum, dated April s
from Adjutant General Corbin to the Sec
rotary of War, accompanied the papers:
ION February 6 the last General Kobb
left memorandum with the Secretary o
War stating that many petitions had beef
forwarded to department commanders il
the Philippines from native communitie,
asking the retention of United States off
GERS and garrisons on the ground of theil
! humane treatment Of the native popula
ton, and General Chaffee was cabled t.
send all such petitions to this office. Suct
of the petitions called for as were at Gen.
eral Chaffee's headquarters are herewith
and he says that others will be forwarded
| as soon as found
In Interest of Tranquility.
Most OF the petitions set forth that
the signers are natives who desire tran
quiility in the islands. and begging that
American troops be retained to protect
| them from. evildoers. In some of the
| petitions army officers are praised by
| name for their kindness and considera
ton. ISM
In the department of Mindanao and
Jolo petitions were received from the fol-
lowing towns: Matt, Baganba, Garage.
Davao, Gotta Bato, Zamtoanga. Misamis.
Casayan. and Jolo. All of these, except
ing the last, are Filipino communities
that were garrisoned by two regiments of
United States volunteers.
Governor Taft was asked personally at
Zamboanga. and probably elsewhere, to
have the officers In command retained.
A sample peiition is signed by Pablo
Dixon, parish priest, and one hundred
others, of the pueblo of Loboo, Bahamas
province. 1t follows:
The undersigned, members of the mu-
nicipal committee. the parish priest, aud
other Inhabitants of the same pueblo, with
6'toNtsi respect pre-
sent to you and say:
That as peaceful inhabitants and low
ers of complete tranquility not only of
this pueblo. but OF all the Philippine Ar
chipelago, we most earnestly pray that
you will be pleased 10 remain perma-
nently in this pueblo. the present gar
rison. for because of them we enjoy this
tranquility"
Included in the papers transmitted are
several letters and kilograms from Major
Gardener. governor of Tayabas province,
LuZon. whose charges that the war In
that province was conducted with unusual
severity by the American troops are now
under investigation by the Philippines
Committee of the Senate In the telc-
gram to army headquarters at Manila.
dated July 80. 1891 Mai0r Gardener SAYS:
There are no insurgents on this ALA
baD island. but large number of rob-
bers. People have no guns to protect
themselves and are in ccr -jGrt danger
from robbers who torture al kill we'll
persons"
Captain Wright Complimented.
The presidcnte and all others of Lui-
ban, in Tayabas province, sent a petition
to Gen. James T. Bell. in which they asked
the retention of Captain Wright and his
who have merited the appreci-
alton OF the people by furnishing wrong
doors and acquitting the innocent and by
protecting all good citizens. lovers of the
American Government, without permitting
abuses of any kind
One OF the petitions is from residents of
Morcng. near olougapo. the site of the
United States naval station on Subig Bay,
and not far frcn Manila, in which this
charge is made:
Many citizens of cur town desiring to
work who had proceeded to return to the
town with the exclusive object OF work
ing their fields were obliged TO do so by
the necessities of life. But unhappily
they were abused by American soldiers
and Macabebes stationed in the province |
Of Bataan who after Selling and destroy |
ing their oaths of allegiance. shot one OF |
the unfortunates. took possession of their |
and lastly robbed them of their !
effects and burned the houses In which |
their families dwelt."
The petitioners ask that a detachment !
Of marines be sent to Morong. They say |
that they have observed 1.-The honor Of the !
American marines stationed at Oiongapo.
and knowing the friendship which the !
people of Morong have for Capt. II. l.. |
Draper. who has acted toward us with
fidelity. we prefer that a military detach-
nent of this distinguished corps be sta |
Toned in bur city Of Morong''
Submitted to Major Waller.
The petition was forwarded to Major L.
". T Waller, of the marines. then in
Command al Olongapo, who was recently
Icauitted of charges of executing natives
Without trial in Samar. In his response
Major Waller said that the district was
outside his jurisdiction. Mai. Gen. Lloyd
Wheaton. commanding the Department OF
Northern ,I.uzon, to whom the petition
vas also forwarded. had this to say in
lis Endorsement about the charges against
he American troops:
I'm the within petition It is asserted
hat certain outrages have been commit
ed by the troops of this department. in
luding Maeabebc native scouts, upon
he natives Of Bataan. Allegations of
his nature coming from Zambales have
ecently been the subject of investigation
nd found to be erroneous.
"AlI restrictions upon the cultivation
Z land and the prosecution of the lumber
nd wood traffic in Bataan and Zambaies
ave been removed. There is no reason
Inv The natives should not 20 about their
roper avOcations. In my opinion the peo-
10 in the vicinity Of the west coast OF
,ataan should not be allowed to become
burden through charity, nor do they
eed any protection from the operations
I the troops Of this department while
5ey continue to be peaceful"
The president of GuinaDlangan, Mnda-
m where the trouble with the Moros Is
ow going on. sent petition in behalf OF
he local junta ana principal inhabitants
4 r-hich he said;
"A critical situation is expected here
fter the American troops now stationed
I Eaganga are removed, they having pro-
rctcd and kept the peace which the in
abltants have enjoyed during their stay"