The Iola register., 1902-08-01
ATTACK THE ARMY
The Eastern Anti-Imperialiste Get
Busy


Lake George, N. Y, July 27.-At a
meeting Of representative anti.imper-
ialists held in New York city last
spring, q committee was appoin ed to
investigate army conditions in the
Philippines. That committee has
since then been prosecuting its in-
quiries. President Roosevelt's recent
review OF court-martial of General
Jacob II. Smith seemed to the commit
tee to demand some reply, and, an
open letter to the president was
adopted. The letter was signed by
Charles Francis Adams. chairman;
Carl Schurtz, Edwin Burritt Smith,
Moorefield Storey and Herbert Welsh.
The letter severely criticizes the Presi-
dents review of General Smiths case
and savagely attacks the army. 1t
says in part:
GENERAL PRACTICE TO KILL THE
WOUNDED.
Finally, every severity known to
the state of war, practices which have
excl ted the special reprobation of the
American people when reported as
features of the hostilties in Cuba, un-
der the Spanish regime, or in South
Africa, during the Boer war, have
been of undisputed occurrence in the
Philippines,
From the early beginning of oper-
ations there, it has been the general
practice, if not actually the order, to
kill those wounded in conflict.
"In like manner as respects concen-
tration camps. These, as feature in
recent Spanish and South African
operations, excited in US as a people
The deepest Indignation, combined
with the most profound sympathy for
those thus unmercifully dealt with.
When referred to by our officials in
the Philippines these camps are re-
presented as a species of recreation
grounds, into which the inhabitants
Of large districts rejoiced to be drawn
and from which they depart with sor-
row. Reports to which we can, on the
other hand, refer, give of them ac-
counts not essentially different from
the accounts received of similar camps
established elsewhere.
CHARGES AGAINST ARMY.
1.-The allegations we make are
urave. tho pondition nf nITairg ue do.
scribe, serious. AS natioal record,
it is discreditable. The good name
of the country is implicated; as also is
the professional character of officers
of the army, some of them retired,
ma NY still in high command. We
stand ready 20 cooperate directly,
and in utmost good faith, TO the end
that all offenders may be brought to
justice, and the guilty punished. In
this communication, we have made
references the personal application of
which is obvious, and of record. To
those thus referred to, courts of mill
tary inquiry are open; and If demand
ed, wonld doubtless be, by you, at
once accorded. Before such courts, if
once convened, we will hold ourselves
prepared to substantiate any or all
charges here advanced,
1--WE find ourselves, though with
deep regret, compelled to take issue
with you on one important point.
I'm your review of July ii you say:
Almost universally the higher officers
have so borne themselves as to supply
the necessary check over acts of an
improper character by their subordi-
Mates We, on the contrary, have
found ourselves impelled to the belief
that the acts referred to were far more
general-the decentralization more all
pervasive. We hold ourselves read y
to direct your attention to concrete
cases, the investigation OF which
would demonstrate the following
criminal acts, contrary to all recog
nized rules and usages of warfare, on
the part of the officers and soldiers oil
the United States
"First kidnapping and murder
under circumstances of aggravated
brutality.
Second-Robbery.
"Third-Torture, both Of men anG
women, and rape of the latter.
"Fourth-The inlliction of death or
other parties, on the strength of evil
dence elicted through torture"