Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-05-08
WAS ROOTS POLICY
Secretary OF War Accepts Full
Responsibility for Operations
in Philippines.
Policy OF Retaliation and Recon.
centration Sanctioned and
Approved by Root.
Defends Acts Of Chaffee and
Others as Warranted by
Circumstances.

Washington, May S.-Secretary Root
has squaraly taken upon his shoulders
full responsibility for the policy of re-
taliation and recommendation pursued
by American troops in the Philippines
In al answer to the Culberson resolu-
ton the secretary replies to the persons
who believed that he would, for politi-
cal reasons, seek to evade accountable
eral Chaffee, Brigadier General Bel
and Brigadier General Smith, in &C
cordance with order No. 100 published
in 1863 by order OF President Lincoln,
THE war department saw nc rea-
son." the secretary states, ito doubt
that the policy embodied in the above
mentioned order was at once the most
effective and the most humane which
could possibly be followed, and so. in
deed, it has proved The secretary
further states that the war depart
ment has not d%isapproved or interfered
in any way with orders giving effect to
the policy OF recommendation, but has
aided in their enforcement by directing
an increase OF the food supply in the
Philippines for the purpose of caring
for the natives in the concentration
camps"
All the written orders made by Gen.
| Smith relating to the campaign in
Samar received by the department, the
secretary declares, " are based on and
are in strict conformity with general
order 100, issued by authority of Presi-
dent Lincoln"
The enemy having established a
reign of terror by resorting to atrocities
and expedients which Cen, Bell de-
clared violated the well known laws
and usages of war as announced in
order No. 100, Gen. Bell stated that
their cause left no other means of pro-
testing the lives of either the troops
or peaceful or friendly citizens than to
retaliate by executing q prisoner Of war
whenever prisoners or unarmed or
defenseless Americans or natives
friendly to the United States were
murdered or assassinated for political
reasons.
Secretary Root says the wal depart
ment. has no record that Genera Smith
issued an order OF determination. On
that point General Chaffee reported
that General Smith has intended his
remarks to refer to persons hostile to
troops, not those frinedly-any other
inference will do him injustice
Secretary Root discussesl the policy
OF concentration at some length. he
quotes from q report by General Whea-
ton, who a v of the insurgents: Their
systematic assassination - sometimes
by burying alive-of natives who re-
fused to contribute to the support OF
the insurrect!on, enabled them to wiring
a steady war revenue from people pre-
sumably enjoying the privileges OF Tree
government and the protection OF the
United States. This has now terminal
ed, nearly all the arms In the n OF
cueriliias have been captured or nave
heen surrendered, and there Is a pros
meet Of an early termination of dis
turbed conditions in provinces under
military control. 1t Is expected that
within sixty days people IN
the towns can be returned to tneir sew
eral places of former abode
The secretary also quotes General
chaffee. who says in part: Every care
has been taken that people required TO
remain under military surveillance
shall not unduly suffer for food, shelter
or medical attendance, II neeoeo.