The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
Anidavits Made that the FIIipinos
Were Shot While Attempting to
Escape from Their Guards.
J. G. LIvINGsToNE's REPORT
CIVIL GOVERNOR WHO HAS HIS OWN
OPINION OF THE NATTER.
Col. Wagner Tells Senators COncen-
trntion Camps Were Not Like
Suburbs of He'll"

WASHINGTON. May 31.-The secretary
Of war has transmitted to the Senate com
mittee on the Philippines a copy Of the re-
port made by ]. G. Livingstone. Governor
of the Philippine province Of Sorsogon, Of
the killing by soldiers OF two native off,
Gals OF the town Of Santa Magdalena, OF
that province. One OF the men was the
president OF the town named Ysidro Gala
nosa and the other a policeman. The sec
rotary OF the town, one Quintin CAN'T,
also was tortured for the purpose Of fore
Ing confession from him.
Governor Livingstone says that a native
who was trusted by the American authori
ties was sent to the town TO spy out men
connected with the movement known as
the 'anting- anting;" that he arrested some
such men and took them, with their papers.
before the presidente, and that while ali
were there a detachment of troops under
a corporal entered and arrested all as in
surgents. They were then taken before
Lieut.. F. w. Harker, of the Fifteenth In
fantry, who put them to work the
streets. The report continues:
The next day the presidente and CAN'T
were taken out into the woods and hung
until their feet were nearly on the ground
and were asked II they would talk, to
which they replied that they would. natur-
ally. They were returned to Matnog,
where the secretary was again questioned
by Lieutenant Harker as to the conduct
and character of the presidente, giving,
according to his (secretary's) statement,
satisfactory answers. He was returned to
the jail and later he, with the presidente
and Cirtaco Fumes. a policeman of Magda-
lena, were again taken to the hills, being
compelled TO carry "A rope. pick and
spade, and on reaching a certain spot the
presidente was put TO work digging what
would appear TO be a grave Then the
presidente was bound and shot in the back
The secretary states he saw all OF this
himself and also saw the policeman bound
In the same way and little later heard
shots. which he presumed were fired at the
policeman, as he was also killed"
The report also says: 1T is claimed that
the presidente and policeman attempted to
escape. and the soldiers concerned have
made aff1davits TO this effect, but believe
this to be absolutely untrue"
Governor Livingstone concluded by giving
his own opinion of the case as follows:
upon careful consideration OF the whole
question, from my knowledge of the con-
ditions existing at the time and from my
personal knowledge of those most directly
concerned, am forced TO the opinion that
the original orders for the arrest of these
men were absolutely unwarranted, possibly
due TO malinterpretation and overzealous-
ness on the part of the corporal; that the
two prisoners killed did not attempt to es
cape and that their killing was murder"
Enclosed with the Governors report are
sffidavits Of the private soldiers who shot
the presidente and also an affidavit from
native prisoner saying that the presidente
had allowed him TO escape for pay. There
also is a report upon the case by Capt. E.
Wittemeyer, of the Fifteenth Infantry,
follows: II wish TO call your attention to
the fact that at the time this occurred
some four hundred prisoners had been cap
tured. most of whom were members of the
'Anting-Anting' Society, and have no
doubt that this presidente was a member of
this gang. 1t is a fact that cannot be dis
puted that company of 'Anting- anting
from St. Magdalena was in the fight at
ct rwaA Of hair I'D
were cared for by this presidente and sub
ordinates. There is no doubt in my mind
that he was guilty OF melting and sustain
ing nsurrection and opposition against the
United States forces"