The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-01
STRUNG UP AND SHOT
Presidente of Santa Magdalena Forced
to Dig His Own Grave.
TWO OFFICIALS TORTURED BY SOLDIERS
A Report Of the Governor J. G. Livingstone ol
Scrsogon Which Reads Like Chapter
From Prescots Conquest
of Mexico.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c.. May 31.-The Sccre-
tary of War has transmitted to the Sem
ate Committee on the Philippines a copy
OF report made by J. e. Livingstone,
Governor of the Philippine Province of
Srsogon, of the killing by soldiers of
two native officials of the town of Santa
Magdalena of that province. One of the
lnen was the presidente of the town
named Ysiro Gallanosa and the other a
policeman. The secretary of the town,
one Quintin CAN'T also was tortured for
the purpose of forcing a confession from
him.
Governor Livingstone says that ma
tive who was trusted by tie American
authorities was sent to he town to suy
out men connected with the movement
known as the HAnJing- -Antirg" move
ment; that he arrested some such men
ana took them with their papers be-
fore the presidente and that while all
were there detachment OF troops Un-
dtr corporal entered and arrested all
as insurgents. They were then taken be-
fore Lieutenant +. w. Harlxcr, of the
t1fteenth Infantry, who put them to work
on the streets. The report continues
<rhe next day the presidonte and CAN'T
were taken out in the woods and hung
until their feet were nearly Off the ground
and were asked if they would talk to
which they replied that they would. nat
Lrally. They were returned to Matnog.
where the secretary was again questioned
by Lieutenant Harker as to the conduct
and character of the presdente, giving.
according to his (the secretarys) state
inent, satisfactory answers. He was re-
turned TO the Jail, and later he, with
the Drcsidente and Curaico Fumes, a
policeman of Magdalena, were again ta-
ken to the hills; being compelled to carry
rope. pick AND = spade, and on reach
ing certain spot the presidente was put
to work diggin what would appear to
be grave lhen the presdepte WIS
bound and SHIT in the back. The Sec
rotary states he saw all of this himself
and also saw the policeman bound in the
same way and a little later heard Shots
which nc presumed were fired at the
policeman, IS he was also killed.
The report also says, st is claimed
that tle rTesidente and policeman at
tempted to escape, and the soldiers con-
cerncd have made affdavits to this eff
feet but l believe this to be absolutely
untrue"
Governor Livingstone concludes by Civ
ine his own opinion of the case as fol-
lows:
Upon careful consideration OF the
whole question, from my knowledge of the
conditions existing at the time and from
my personal knowledge of those most
directly concerned, I am forced TO the
opinion that the original order for the
arrest of these men was absolutely un-
warranted, possibly due to malinterpreta-
ton ard over -Zealousness on the part
of the corporal; that the two prisoners
killed did not attempt to escape and that
their killing was murder"
Enclosed with the Governors report are
affdavits of the private soldiers who shot
the presidente and also an affidavit from
n native prisoner saying that the presi-
dente had allowed him TO escape for pay.
There also is a report upon the ease by
Captain e. Wittenmeyer, of the Fifteenth
inf1ntry, as follows:
Il wish to call your attention to the
fact that at the time this occurred some
400 prisoners had been captu ed. most
OF whom were members of the Anting-
Anting Society, and | nave no doubt that
this presidente was a member of this
gang. 1t is a fact that cannot be dis
puted that a company of Anting- -hnting
from ST. Magdalena was in the fight at
Gait. September 7th and some of their
wounded were cared for by this presidente
and his ,ubordinates. There is no doubt
IN my mind that he was guilty of incit-
ing and sustaining insurrection and OPP
position against United States forces. :