New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-19
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY
ORDERS WHICH THROW FAVORABLE
LIGHT ON THE CONDUCT OF
AMERICAN TROOPS.

AMERlCAN lhOoI ~
Washington. April 1s-The Secretary OF War has
placed In the hands of the Senate Committee on ''e
Philippines large number of orders, circulars anu
reports bearing on the conduct or military aa,is Al
the unpacifed provinces of the Philippines. lakeh
in the order given the following are 'ie ihoS' ~
worthy points involved:
On December "a last Captain W. e. aver, adjutant
general of the Sixth Brigade, with headquarters at
Tacloban, Island of Leyte issued circular to the
station commanders in Samar in which the coilFic-
ton was expressed that the wealthy classes or
''pudienter' among the natives were "hie pio-
Tossing friendship toward the Americans hioi
responsible than any others for the continuance Va
hostilities Under such conditions, he SAID 'he oS
course TO pursue would be one that would create
+, the minds of all a burning desire for peace-a
desire or longing so intense, so personal, so rear
that it will impel them to JOIN hahos WIN ~
Americans in the accomplishment OF that END
Announcing the policy OF the brigade ne sald II
would be from this time to wage war III .le
sharpest and most decisive manner possoie- ne
said that young officers TO have great lattuue
In harasslng the enemy. and that natives ana
especially those OF wealth and influence were 10
be regarded with suspicion. adding:
Every native. whether in arms or living In the
n1ehios or barrios viii be regarded and treated as
ar enemy until he has conclusively SHOWN 'nat ne
can demonstrate his loyalty is by positive
act or acts that aetuay ana mo TPsaons with the
and PRODUCING Or tending With to hTedq6e
dStinctiNelE ufITleIlulS ieldtO'iS "-N--
surgents.
susnected Dersons should be apprehended, and If
there was not sufficient evidence 10 convict they
should be held n military necessity. ms uirec.
ton was made especially applicable to priests OF
whom Captain Aver said that their profession
would mot be sufficient TO protect them.
On February %. 1902, Captain Aver announced that
the brigade commander. General j. ii. smith, mao
become convinced that active opposition had
crumbled away saying that 'as have in the
alInI .l,nr,o 10 I
arms we must in the future compel them to respect
our generosity of heart toward ranquished zoe
and purity OF purpose in wagins war upon
their misguided leaders and their followers. Hence
forth then II must the labor OF officers and
men assist the loyal natives in repairing the
ravages of Our troops must always Keep IN
mind that the standards Of the natives OF Sanar
were announced to the world at Balangiga. Watch
fulness and kindness henceforth must go mana IN
hand"
A copy OF a letter from General Chaffee to Cen
eral Hughes. commanding the Department of the
Visayas. is given. 1t is dated September 20 last
and is devoted to comment the Balangiga
massacre. and dwells the lack OF proper pre-
cautions against attack. saying:
I would not trust 50 per cent Of the male popu-
lation and they must not he trusted 1t is our
must rest With them, not so much in words as BY
action which cannot be nnismnderstood While
do not urge inhuman treatment OF any person in
infexible, and both officers ami men must be cord
tally supported in their duty in this regard.
The full text of Commander I.ukbans order
graduating his people the result Of the Balan-
giga massacre is given. He says that seventyfve
Americans were killed and natives: that the
fight lasted only five minutes procuring the death
Of all, according to justice by certain means. and
with happy ending to all our plans" He asks
other communities TO emulate the example.
There in the collection many orders
ports from General ]. F. Bell. commanding the
Department of Batangas. beginning with his CON
centration order Of December g. 1901. On the next
day. December 9 he issued order to station
commanders urging n bold policy in pressing the
a conclusion and making the people
peace, and want it badly" The letter the
commanders against the deceit ana craft of the
wealthy natives, and especially against the in
fuence of the priests. of whom he says:
Every native priest In the province of Batangas
and Laguna is a secret enemy Of the govern
ment. and in active sympathy with Insurgents.
because of their unequaed influence.
In another circular. issued few days later. Cen
eral Bell says:
The United States Government dsrega riding
many provocations TO do otherwise. has for three
years exercised extraordinary forbearance and
poicy toward the inhabitants Of the territory gar
risoned by this brigade.
The only effect of this policy upon the natives he
says has been to cause them become arrogant
and scornfu OF the kindliest efforts. The brigade
comman der therefore announces that wherever
prisoners unarmed defenceless Americans
natives friendly to the United States Government
murdered assassinated for political reasons,
and this fact be established 1t is his purpose
execute prisoner of war, to be selected by lot
from among the officers or prominent citizens held
prisoners of war, and chosen when practicable
from those who belong to the town where the
murder assassination occurred"
Instructions given TO make exceptions of
all persons who had demonstrated loyalty. Their
lives families and property will not only be given
protection far practicable against insurgents
but will be carefully respected by troops, and
great care will be taken in seeing that as little
damage is done their interests is consistent with
the success of the government"
Especial warning is given against footing. On jan
uary 26 another circular issued saying that
IL was intended to be understood that
there be a change of policy in favor of
greater lenency, and he enjoined commanding Of
fcers against relaxation. except in towns which
had become thoroughly loyal