The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
NOT SUBURBS OF HE'LL,
Colonel Wagner Again Describes Fill
ipinO Concentration Camps.

WASHINGTON, May 31-Colonel Wag-
ner, assistant adiutant general of the
United States army, and formerly adjutant
general of the army in the Philippines, to-
day continued his testimony before the
Senate Philippine committee. He said he
knew that one village had been burned be-
cause the citizens would not give informa-
tion OF the murderer of a native friendly
TO the United States. He gave a fine char
hcter to General Bell as a humane officer.
He SAID the conduct of Americans in the
Philippines had been uniformly kind and
considerate TO the native prisoners.
Colonel Wagner did not agree with Cen
eral Hughes that the war in the Philip
pines not civilized war He said
that in the provinces commanded by Gen
erai Bell about 100000 people were gathered
in the concentration camps. Their prop
erty left outside the camps was confscated
and the wealthy people lost heavily. He did
not believe that any camp described by an
anonymous officer as suburb of hell
ever existed.
Asked by Senator Beveridge for his esti-
mate of the character of General Bell, the
witness replied: II have known General
Bell intimately for twenty-eight years, and
] have never known a drawer or more hui
name man. 1 know personally that he was
anxious that there should be no unneces-
sary suffering on the part OF the people Of
Batangas and Laguna." He said in reply
10 questions from Senator Beveridge that
the conduct of American officers in the
Philippines had been uniformly kind and
considerable. In every case coming within
his knowledge the people OF the cOncentra-
ton camps had returned to their homes
and TO the performance OF their duties as
soon the province in which they had
lived had become pacified.
Senator CulbersOn conducted the cross
examination and began with a series of
questions intended TO secure an opinion of
1899 when, according To the general report
200 TO 500 natives marching up the railroad
track were fired on, Notwithstanding they
bore a flag OF truce.
Colonel Wagner said that in this case
there was some doubt as 10 whether the
troops which fred had observed the flag of
truce but If they had done so their course
was. he said. in his opinion, contrary TO the
Senator Culberson read letter from an
anonymous officer. said to be a graduate of
West Point, which had been quoted in the
Senate by Mr. Bacon. in which the officer
described a concentration camp as a
suburb OF hell"
''Did you ever visit that campo" the sena-
tor INQUIRED -
do l believe that any such caTap ever eX-
isted''
Replying TO a question from Senator
Lodge. Colonel Wagner said he had never
visited the province OF Tayabas, OF which
province Mai. Cornelius Gardener was civil
governor. but that adjutant general he
was familiar with conditions there and
knew OF nothing improper. If there had
been a bad condition OF affairs" he said.
the proper step for Gardener To take
would have been TO forward charges and
specifications. for the fact that he was civil
governor did not deprive him OF that privi-
legs."
Senator DIETRICH related TO the witness
the statement made by Captain Mcdonald
that he would shoot rather than strike an
unruly prisoner. and then asked Colonel
Wagner's opinion whether such a
statement was JUSTIFIED Colonel Wagner