Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-25
ALLEGED CRUELTY
By American Soldiers Against
the Philippine Natives
Cause Numerous Investigations With
Small Proof Against Men.
Charges of Misconduct in Most Cases
Fall Very Flat.

| Manila, Dec. 24-Seyeral official in
| oui.ies into charges of alleged cruelty
| to natives by sOk.iers are at present
progressing Throughout the islands.
Some of these cases have been invcsti-
gated previously.
Whei Gen. Miles was at Lipa, in the
province of Batangas, Luzon, certain
natives laid charges before him that
during the campaign of RECOMMENDATION
American soldiers had committed acts
of cruelty and violence. Gen. Miles re-
ferred the matters to Gen. Davis and
| the latter detailed Col. Morris c. Foote
Of the 2Sth Infantry, to investigate. Col
Foote found the charge of violence to
be untrue, but it is believed he found
that in some cases the water cure had
been administered. His report will be
sent to Washington.
While Gen. Miles was in the islands,
Major George E. Hunter, of the 18th
Cavalry, repeated to him certain
charges which had been brought
against Capt Robert L. Howsec of the
9Th Cavalry. when in command at
Laoag, North Ilocos. Luzon, in 1900.
CAT the time specified Capt. Howsec
was lieutenant colonel of the Gath Vol
unteer Infantrys Major Hunter said
that native officials of Laoag had
whipped certain prisoners, two of
whom died from the effects of this
treatment. Se
At the time Cfthis alleged occurrence
Major Hunter was serving at Laoag;
he reported the matter in a letter to
Gov. Taft, who Informed Gen. MacAr
thur. Capt Howsee denied the charges.
An investigation was ordered and the
bodies of the two prisoners who died
were eXhumed. In their report the in
vestigators held Capt. Howsee to be
blameless. Gen Miles brought Major
Hunter to the north of LuZon and
landed him at Laoag before leaving the
islands for China.
At present Major Hunter is in Ma
Mia He says the investigation into
the charges against Capt. Howsee has
not yet beer completed. After leaving
Manila Gen. Miles sent a cablegram to
Ger. ]. Franklin Bell, directing him to
report what cases of misconduct on
the nart of the enemy had led him to
issue circular No. 5. in which it was
charged that the enemy had bolOed
American wounded. had made use OF
nal machines. shot poisoned arrows.
violated their paroles. assassinated
friendly natives. accepted office under
the Americans for the purpose of OBJ
tanning information and had entered
the American lines by deceit. Gen.
Bell has written an extended report.
enumerating the instances which JUS
titled him in his action.
The inquiry into the death of Father
Augustin has been completed and for
warded to Washington. The water
cure was administered to Father Au-
gustin at Banate, Panay island the
priest died from the effect of this treat
ment.
1t is alleged that a large sum of
money has been raised among the ma
tives of the southern islands and sent
to Boston to aid in the private prose-
cution OF the Augustin case.
The claim has been made that this
money was intended for use against
Major Edwin r. Glenn of the 5th Inf,
who is charged with unlawfully and
wiifully killing seven prisoners of war
and whose trial will be continued here
in January. Major Glenn, however,
was in no way connected with the Au-
gustin case.
The allegation was made by the anti
imperialst committee at the Lake
George conference that Father Angus
tin was killed by the water cure i'm the
Philippines. The war department had
the matter investigated with the result
that the main fact. that the man died
as result of the cure. was confirmed.