The Washington times., 1902-08-08
Must Face Two Federal
Indictments Alleging
Perjury.
HOPES TO BE INDICATED
Former Soldier, in Testimony Before
Senate Philippines Committee, Made
Sensational Charges Against Army
Officers and Men in Philippines.

It is expected that former Corporal
Richard O'Brien, of Company II. Twen
ty-sixth Infantry United States Volun
teers. who was arrested at North Adams
Mass. on Wednesday night by Detective
NJ. II. Muller, of the local police, on an
Indictment charging him with perjury,
will reach this city today.
O'Brien was taken by the United
States authorities to Pittsfieid. Mass.
yesterday for a hearing before Commits
soner Wood. From the time of his ar
rest the ex-soldier has been accompanied
by Detective Muller of Washington.
Major Sylvester yesterday afternoon
received the following telegram from
Muller:
''PITTSTON, Mass, Aug. 7.-Hearing
3 p. m. tomorrow before Commissioner
Wood. He has lawyer. Wants to give
bail. No United States district attorney
here
So far as is known here the prisoner
has offered no resistance to the extradi- |
tion proceedings. When he was arrested
him was made known to him, he is al |
legged to have said he was glad that it |
is SO, as he desired an opportunity to |
vindicate himself
The Charge of Perjury.
The indictment upon which oBrien
was arrested charges that in ais testi- |
mony before the Senate committee which |
was investigating affairs in the Philip |
pines. last May, he made false state |
ments calculated to bring certain officers
of the United States army and also en-
listed men into disrepute
AT an early hour yesterday District |
Attorney Gould notified the War De-
rartment of the arrest of O'Brien Mr..
Gould has not yet announced what bond
the Government will ask of the prisoner
for his release. His trial is called for
the October term Of the Supreme Court
of the District.
The testimony of O'Brien before the
Senate committee last spring created
quite a sensation. and soon after the
chairman of the committee called the
attention of the Attorney General to It,
After hearing substantially the evidence
given by Brien, the Attorney General
directed District Attorney Gould to in
vestigate the matter. This he did, with
the result that on Monday last the grand
jury reported an Indictment against
o'Brien. charging him with perjury.
In order that the accused might not
be apprised of the action OF the grand
jury and thus evade arrest, the indict-
ment, by order of Justice Hagner, was
until after the arrest was
n ade. 1t was given out yesterday by
District Attorney Gould.
0'Brien's Sensational Charges.
o'Brien's testimony before the COM
mittee related TO the conduct OF certain
officers and enlisted men of the United
States army. Among other things he said
that while at Igbarras he saw one To-
beniana Ealdama. a native, presidente
or chief officer of the town. cruelty treat
ed by having administered to him what
is called the water cure under the
direction and by command of officers of
the United States army, to compel him
to disclose to the American officers in
formation relative TO the whereabouts
Of Gen. Martin Delgado.
He also charged that dum-dum bullets,
prohibited in civilized warfare by inter-
national agreement. had been issued to
and used by the American troops. This
charge ELECTED an emphatic denial from
the War Department officials.
O'Brien testified that while at Igbar
ras. Capt. Edwin F. Glenn. Lieut. Ar
thur E. Conger, Acting Assistant Sur
geon Palmer Lyon. Capt. Fred Mcdonald
and certain enlisted men outraged the
wife of Manuel Benedicto, native. He
also testified that Fred Mcdonald. VII.
liam II. Plummer and Frank A. Cook.
while under the influence of liquor and
partially undressed. seized native wo-
men and compelled them 10 dance
He also said that some OF the off,
GERS named went to the home of
woman leper at san Joaquin. O'Brien
also testified that he saw American
coldiers shoot an old man at the town
of La Nog. Two other old men, whom he
said came out of a house bearing a
white flag were shot down by soldiers
While on his way from La Nog to
Guimbal O'Brien said he saw American
soldiers make an old man kneel to be
hit on the back OF the neck with bolo
to be beheaded.
Accuses Officers of Fraud.
O'Brien also testified that he saw Cap
tain Mcdonald strike n captive named
Viciente Tuburan on the head with the
butt cf his revolver, while the man was
IN his custody. He also said that the ra-
lions of the soldiers had been withheld
and fraudulently disposed OF and the
proceeds divided among certain officers.
and that three sergeants had been
threatened that they would be reduced
o the ranks If they made further in
lury about the company fund. After ,
ward he said Captain Mcdonald had a
private talk with the three sergeants
md promised them that when they got
)ack to Gumbal he would give them a
zig Christmas dinner out of the fund. 6
DIED. :