The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-15
HOW WATER CURE"
Was ADMINISTERED
Senate Committee on Philippines
Hears Details of Method of
Torturing Filipinos.
PRicE BAKING POWDER Co.,
CHICAGO.

Washington, April 14-The Senate Com
mittee on the Philippines began the week
with the intention of making an investiga-
ton of the charges to the effect that the
water cure so called. is practiced on the
insurgents. and Charles s. Riley of North
ampton, Mass, formerly a Sergeant in
Company NJ. Twenty-sixth Volunteer In
fantry. was the first witness called with
that end in view.
In reply to questions by Senator Rawlins,
ne said he had witnessed the water cure"
ut Igbaras in the Province of Iloilo on No
vember 81, 1900. 1t was administered to the
Presidente or chief Filipino official Of the
town. He said that, upon the arrival of his
at Igbaras, the Presidente was
asked whether runners had been sent out
notifying the insurgents Of their presence,
and that. upon his refusal to give the in
formation, he was taken to the convent
where the witness was stationed and the
water cure was administered to him.
This official was, he said. u man about 10
years of age. When he 1.-THE witness) first
saw him he was standing In the corridor Of
the convent. stripped to the waist and his
hands tied behind him, with Captain Glenn
and Lieutenant Conger of the regular army
and Doctor Lyons, \ contract surgeon,
standing near, while many soldiers stood
about.
Salt Thrown In Water.
The man, he said, was then thrown under
a water tank which held about 100 gallons
or water. and his mouth placed directly
under the faucet and held open so as to
compel him to swallow the water which
was allowed to escape from the tank.
over him stood an interpreter repeating
one word. which the witness said he did
not understand. but which he believed to
be the native equivalent of confess" When
at last the Presidente agreed to tell what
he knew. he was released and allowed to
start away. He was not, however, per
mitted to escape, and upon refusing to give
further Information he was again taken as
ne was about to mount his horse and the
administered for the second time. This
time the man was not stripped, nor was
he taken into the building.
Doctor Lyons said the water could be
brought to the spot and given there, and
when 1t was brought in a fve-gallon can.
the other in the mans mouth. As he still
refused. a second syringe was brought. and
one end or 1t placed in the PROSTATE mans
salt was thrown into the water. This had
the desired effect, and the Presidente agreed
to answer all questions.
Victim Struggled Fiercely.
He said that the victim struggled fiercely
whiie the cure was being administered and
that his eyes were bloodshot. but that the
next day when he saw the man he observed
Ill effects of the dose he had received
senator Burrows. referring to the sur
~ snooe
Inc witness replied in the negative.
The second administration had been given
70 compel the information as to runners.
Mr.. Riley also said he had known of
many crueitfes and indignities practiced
upon American soldiers by natives.
Another witness. William l.. Smith of
Athoi: Mass, a private in Company NJ,
Twenty-siXth Volunteer Infantry. corrob,
DRAFTED Riley,s testimony, saying he had
also witnessed the torture Of two policemen
TIE lOWn or lRhar0R Grptth ,oIl thA Il.
tails OF the cure" were in the hands of q
squad OF the Eighteenth Regular Infan-
try, known as the water-cure detail"
burning. of the town of Igbaras. and thai
the natives generally escaped from their
houses only with the clothes they wore.