The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-08
REPLY TO
Secretary Root Reviews the Orders
Issued by Officers.

WASHINGTON, May Secretary Root
has made the following response to the
House resolution calling for copies of all
orders sent to General Smith and other
officers relative to the campaign in Samar:
n orders or instructions have been for
warded to the commanding officer in the
Philippines relative to the conduct of mil
itary operations in the island of Samar,
or relating to the campaign of General ia
cob II. Smith in said islands, except the
instructions for the government of armies
Of the United States in the field approved
and promulgated by command of President
Abraham Lincoln in general order No. 100.
of 1868, a copy of which is annexed hereto,
and which have been followed and con-
formed to by all orders made in the Phil
ippines in respect of that campaign, so far
as the same have been received at the
Was Department. II has not been deemed
wise or practicable 10 interfere from Wash
ingtOn in the conduct OF military operations
on the other side OF the world under condi-
lions and exigencies which the COMPETENT
and faithful officers commanding the division
of the Philippines necessarily understand
tar better than is possible for the War
Department
Secretary Root submitted to the Senate
an answer to the resolution of May l, call
ing for copies of any orders issued by
General Bell relative TO RECOMMENDATION
in Batangas and of the orders issued by
General Smith to Major Waller, set up
by the latter in his defense before the
court-martial. The secretary also was
asked to state whether these orders were
approved by General Chaffee or by the
War Department when they were known
in department and when cOuntermanded.
In reply, the secretary submits two orders
by General Bell, dated Dec. s and 8 last.
In the first General Bell refers to the
treachery of the natives, to their use of
Internal machines and to their constant
violation OF all rules of civilized warfare.
Therefore, he declares that he is reluctant
~ obliged to avail himself of the right of
retaliation under the regulations, and TO
deal severely with persons who commit
the acts denounced in General Order 100.
Against but one of these fragrant vio-
latiOnS of the laws of warfare, namely.
murder, has the United States govern
ment ever adjudged or executed the severe
penalties authorized by the sections of the
law above cited, in the vain hope that, by
this exercise Of forbearance and gener-
osity the people might be conciliated and
become reconciled to and convinced of the
benevolent purposes of the government.
Instead of having the desired effect, how
ever, this policy in the provinces of Ba-
tangas and Laguna has apparently failed
to appeal to even the keenest and most
appreclatiVe lntelleetS. On the contrary, II
has been interpreted by many as an evil
dence of weakness and fear, and pulled
up by a childish and ignorant cOnceit over
What TIC Il Dltdctu 10 tOIlSAlCI SUI
cessful resistance of our power, the peo-
pie have become so arrogant that they
look down upon our government and ScOrn
its hndlieSt efforts at paciicatiOn. We
consequently find ourselves operating in a
thoroughly occupied terrain, against the
entire population, united in d hopeless
struggle, using. conniving at or tolerating
barbarous methods which almost reach the
limit in outraging the laws and usages
OF legitimate warfare.
THE reckless eXpedients adopted by the
| nnannN~ nEnananIIN- Tho 4 Of n M
ton and assassination, leaves To the bri-
gade commander no other means of pro
tecting either the lives of his subordinates
or those of peaceful or friendly citizens
or the interests OF his government against
the repetition Of barbarOus outrage, excepl
the enforcement of the penalties author
lied by the above cited avs of war. = .
The brigade commander, therefore, an
nounces for the Information Of all con
cerned that wherever prisoners or unarmer
or defenseless Americans or natives friend
ly 10 the United States government are
murdered or assassinated for political rea'
sons, and this fact can be established, it i
his purpose TO execute a prisoner of wal
under the authority contained in Sections
50 and las. This prisoner OF war will b'
selected by lot from among the officers 81
prominent citizens held as prisoners Of
war, and will be chosen, when possible
from those who belong TO the town o.
which the murder or assassination oc
Cured"
The secretary explains that the order re
ferred to was approved by Abraham Lin
coin, and that the orders mentioned in tn,
resolution and in Bells order of Dec. l
were i'm strict conformity with the lette
and spirit of this famous order, which h
says was q contribution TO civilization o
great and recognized value"
Another order transmitted is one b!
Maj. Gen. Lloyd Wheaton. dated Manila
March n, 1902, upon the condition of tn
natives collected in the concentration
camps. from which il appears that the.
were well fed, healthful and contented
General Wheaton expresses the belief tina
the camps can be broken up within siXt.
days. Ar important Endorsement on thi
report is by General Chaffee. in which h
says:
1T is useless for me 10 make an attemp
TO show the necessity for the course adopt
ed in the Third and Sixth brigades to pu
an end 10 the active inSurrectton existing
there in such a way that all persons Wi
agree that right action has been taken
1t is impossible. OF course. for me to d
this. l will state, however, that persona
contact with the people. Il kAU~-~-
their methods and continents. q persona
acquaintance with the terrain, and wha
may be done by an enemy as by troops ar
all essential 10 determine what should b
done before condemning what has bee
done. II Is also necessary that some Othe
method be suggested and positive proc
submitted that. had it been followed, NOR
success correSpondingly would have FOL
by the present course.
II do not understand that the authorit
of the United States IN these islands ca