The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-14
Witness Who Denounces
Canned Salmon Lunches
on 1t With Relish.
VICTIM OF PRACTICAL JOKE
Private Boardman Makes Sensational
isclosures-Charges Banks With Cir
culating Counterfeit Money in Philip
pines-Governor Taft Disliked.

waite Boardman, of Centralia, Kan, who
was the witness in the morning before
the Senate Committee on the Philippines
1t developed in the examination that
Boardman did not like the refusal OF the
War Department to allow him to come
home from the Philippines by way of the
Suez canal. He was very indignant yes
tercay over the way the army is treated
In the Philippines. and especially over
two very much battered and dilapidated-
looking cans, one Ct which, he said, con-
tained salmon and the other soup tablets.
Served at Lunch.
"Now. look at these" he said to the
committee, with great indignation. Isn't
this a fine way to treat the American
soidiers7 1t is horrible! Horrible," The
cans were still sealed.
After the meeting Senators Beyeridge
and Dietrich invited Boardman to lunch
with them, saying they wanted to further
discuss affairs in the Philippines with
him. Meantime. they sent the two cans
OF food TO the Senate restaurant and or
dered them served up, the one as soup
and the other salmon salad.
The two Senators and their guest sat
down to lunch, and II is reliably stated
that Boardman asked for two plates of
the soup and three helpings of the salad.
saying that he had never enjoyed a lunch
SO much before in his life.
The incident will probably be related
on the floor of the Senate before long
Sensational Testimony.
Boardman created quite sensation be-
fore the committee by his testimony on
various phases of the Philippine civil and
military policy.
He criticised General Chaffee and Gov
ernor TAFT, and intimated that they are
not on good terms with each other, and
that the latter is not liked by the enlisted
men.
He charged that the soldiers are badly
treated and ill-fed. and produced out OF
an Inner pocket cans of salmon and soup
which he said were unfit TO eat.
He intimated that there had been pass
ing of counterfeit money by one OF the
banks, and that while nothing was done to
prevent this, the natives were prosecuted
and punished for the like offense.
Freely Expresses Opinions.
= The witness has been at the Capitol
for several days, listening to the de-
bates and talking to anyone who cared
to discuss the Philippine situation. He
has expressed his opinions very freely to
all. A
Boardman was a corporal in the Twen-
tieth United States Regular Infantry in tho
Philippines. He taught school for six
months in the islands and served for a
time as policeman in Manila. He be-
gan his testimony last Saturday
The witness began his testimony yes
terday with his story about counterfeit
money in Manila. He charged that the
natives were arrested for passing bogus
coin. while those high in authority
were protected.
Mr.. Beveridge's Queries.
Mr.. Beverage asked whether he meant
TO charge that a certain banking company
in the PHILIPPINES was engaged in GRIM
inally passing of counterfeit money.
The witness asserted that when he
had been informed that the bank was
circulating counterfeit money he got some
money changed and found among it two
counterfeit dollars.
Answer my question demanded Mr..
Beveridge.
"Do you mean that you will force me?"
asked the witness.
mo; will not" replied the Senator.
Then III not answer it any fuller
than / have" retorted the witness.
Army Prejudiced Against Taft.
The witness declared that a deep feel
ing of prejudice existed in the army
against Governor Taft and the civil gov
eminent. Personally, be said he had no
use for the army, and as evidence OF what
he declared to be improper treatment,
said were samples OF soldiers rations.
He would not eat such stuff, he said.
Taking up another subject. Boardman
said that after the Balangiga massacre of
almost an entire company of the Ninth In
fantry. the natives became very offensive.
but that after the Issuing of General
Smiths order ito kill and burn" they
began TO quiet down. That order, in the |
opinion of the witness. had become a |
necessity TO save the lives Of the SOL
diers. |
Follows Sherman's Maxim.
Being questioned as to the general
treatment Of peaceful Filipinos by the
American officers and soldiers, the wit |
ness said:
1.-THE whole tendency Of the army was
TO make the men anything but pleas. Mt
toward the natives, because every soldier
realized that war is hell and they we're
going TO give the Filipinos hell. Our
orders were to treat them kindly. but an
officer VIII not object. If a man is hungry.
TO his going into house and getting
food
Senator Beverage asked the witness 81
e had been in any paciled province
here the troops had been withdrawn and
.hoois established, with school teachers,
,t soldiers. 4
Il never heard OF such place" said
The witness.
The witness asserted that while in GER
lain cases Filipino prisoners were treated
better than he thought they deserved. in
the treatment OF the natives
was far from pleasing to them. Though
PRESSED hard, he declined to state What
he general treatment by the soldiery was.
,aying that he did not care TO tell any
,aies about his comrades.
Senator in FURRY.
The Senator, apparently dissatisfied
With the witness answers, asked him
whether be had had conversation with any
enators since his first examination.
Boardman replied that he had talked
18th Senator Deboe OF Kentucky.
The minority members took excenf,one |