Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-22
THE WALLER CASE.
The Expedition Sent Out Without Be
ing Properly Equipped.

San Francisco, July 21.-Col. Stephen
w. Groesbeck, formerly judge advo-
cate of the division of the Philippines,
has arrived here from Manila, en- route
to Chicago, where he will take station
as judge advocate of the department
of the lakes. Col. Groesbeck was chief
reviewing authority in the trials of
Maj. Waller and Gen. Jacob H. Smith.
Discussing the Waller trial, Col. Groes-
beck characterized Maj. Waller as a
tactician, not leader. In reviewing
that case he said:
Il could only give a qualified APP
prevail of the findings of the court, be-
cause 1 believed him responsible large
ly for the conditions that caused his
men to commit the offences charged
An attempt was made to lead de-
tachment of his command, consisting
of four officers, 54 enlisted men and 80
cargadores from east towns across the
island of Samar III search of the en-
envy, and when about midway of his
course he found himself in the heart Of
an uninhabited, mountainous section.
without rations and without medical
attendance.
1.-THE march had been begun without
proper provision being made. The
mems shoes had worn away, their
clothing hung in tatteis, many We're
stricken with fever, their feet bruised
and bleeding, their bodies 1acerated by
thorns. and adding greatly to their
Indebtedness, the leeches which alb ound
attacked and greatly aggravated their
exposed wounds. To the CRY Ter food
the cargadores, it is alleged, did not
efficiently respond and the suspicion
was aroused in the minds of the starry
ing men that the cargadores were con-
niving at their destruction. For this
they We're placed under guard and all
those from whom cry of retaliation
came We're executed
Referring to the famous ''kill and
burn order alleged to have been issued
by Gen. Smith, Col. Groesbeck said:
mo such order was ever issued by
Smith. but he is an impetuous and err
ratio man. and when going over the
ground at Balangiga after the mas
sacre of an entire company of the 9th
Infantry, he remarked to Waller that
they would be justified in killing and
burning as they went
Col. Groesbeck did not think that
Waller or any Of the officers of his
command should be held accountable
for the lives destroyed, but he believed
that. had more careful provision been
made when the fatal march was begun,
it would not have ended with such dis
astrous results. He spoke of Gen.
Smith as a fine officer, and expressed
regret at the humiliation attached to
the recent orders for his retirement.
Col Groesbeck believes in the WA
ter cure and said that in all the COM
plants caused by this method of fore
ing the insurgents to give information
as to where arms were hidden, ETC., il
had been abused only by young officers
over-zealous and inexperienced in theiI
work.
Il believe" said he, 'the water
cure as practiced by the American
army in the Philippines. to be the most
humane method of OBTAINING informa-
ton from prisoners of war that j:
known to modern warfare
On the Philippine question in gen.
eral Col. Groesbeck said:
I'VE are there to stay. The price
that has been paid for the islands de-
mands that we hold them, but to civil
lie and establish government thai
can ultimately be given into the keep.
ing of the natives is a task beyond tht
comprehension of those unacquainte6
with the treachery that has been in
stilled into the people by their forme
rulers. The uplifted bolo is the only
law that they have feared for ages ant
strenuous means must be adopted t
! eradicate such ideas"
/ The strike in the T. w. Fogg & Cos