New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
THE WATER CURE AGAIN.
STORIES TOLD BY TWO RETURNED
SOLDIERS TO THE PHILIP
PINES CONMITTEE
PINES COMMITTEE.

Washington. May lo.-PFivate William j. Gibbs
OF the 9Th Infantry, to-day continued his testimony
before the Senate Committee the Philippines He
was questioned by Senator Patterson concerning
the cleaning of the town OF Balangigs previous TO
the massacre there. He said that seventy-fve ma
tives brought from the mountains for that purpose
were ordered into the tents in which they were
confined. The witness said he had never seen the
water cure administered, but had seen prepara-
tions made for II. and had heard groans coming
from the victim. He also had known of one In
stance In which had died under II. Il did
not see him die" he said. but saw his funeral
and 1t the general understanding among the
soldiers that death the result of the admins
tion of the cure "
WAS It understood that the administration oil the
water cure was usual or common
ut was"
"Who usually administered the cure?
Generally the interpreters or scouts
What kind of water was generally used?'
Usually dirty water preferred 10 clean
water The would go out from the shore and
get a mixture Of salt water and sand and ad-
minister it
Why this done?'
In order to make the punishment more severe
Referring 10 some OF his testimony of yesterday.
Mr., Gibbs said that he regarded the Philppine
women virtuous. From my observation and
experience" he said, the women of the Philip
pine Islands in the small towns purer than in
towns of the same population in the United
States"
Replying to Senator Beveridge. Mr.. Gibbs said
the victims Of the water cure he had seen after
it's administration generally looked as though sick
at the stomach, but he had never known Of more
than one death. Senator Beveridge also asked
number of questions concerning the treatment of
Filipino prisoners ny American soldiers. and the
witness said they generally received the same
food the soldiers themselves had when II was
accessible. They were made TO carry the soldiers
loads and also made 10 work but not excessively
Filipino patients in the hospitals also were we'll
treated
How were peaceable natives engaged in their
usual avocatons treated?
while the treatment by others was just the oppo-
site"
TO treat the natives with kindness
Did you observe the order?
Il did"
Did your comrades"
Some of them did and some did not.
Mr. Gibbs excused and George G. Board
man. formerly OF the goth Infantry, was called
when the committee adjourned for the day. but he
related incidents which had come under his
observation while serving TOT three years IN tne
administration OF the water cure and in that
instance the victim had told nothing himself, but
had given the name of another man who had told
where there were seventeen guns hidden. He re-
lated the particulars Of the murder of native boy
by the natives who accused him OF having deserted
guns saying they would fire at the soldiers. and
that when the latter approached they would con
ceal their weapons and greet them pleasantly. In
instance OF this kind party Of Filipinos had
been taken into custody; and the information as
the place of concealmeat of their guns was
secured by taking the men one at time to the
Of the building and firing of a gun, after
threatening them with death within the hearing
the proceeding so frightened those left behind that
a confession was secured