New-York tribune., 1902-04-11
CHARGES AGAINST ARMY
THE GOVERNOR OF TAYABAS SAYS FILL
PINOS ARE LEARNING TO HATE
AMERICANS

w washington April Nv len the SENATE SOHi-
mittee the Philippines met to-day Mr.. Lodge,
the chairman presented the report Of Major
Cornelius Gardner civil governor of the Philip
| pine province of Tayabas, to which reference
was made by General Miles in his correspon-
dence with Secretary Root. The report had
been withheld, and this caused the adoption of
a resolution at the last meeting of the commit
tee requesting the Secretary of War to send
the report to the committee. The report is
dated December 16 1901 1t is largely review
Of conditions in the province. and tells what was
done in the way of a campaign against the in
| surgents. In the course of the report the Gov
ernOr says:
a vigorous campaign at organized
against insurgents in arms, with the troops act
ing under positive orders to shoot unarmed
natives and to burn no houses except barracks.
Looting was prohibited under the strctest
penalties. Company and other commanders
We're ordered to pay for everything taken for
necessity or bought from natives
The Governor in detail tells what has been
done and then recommends that the operations
against the insurgents should be by a force of
natives. He has travelled all over the province
with other escort than natives, In another
recommendation he says:
As Civil Givernor I feel it my duty to say that
it is my firm conviction that the United States
troops should at the earliest opportunity be con-
centrated in two garriSonS, if 1t IS
thought desira bic that the good sentiment and
loyalty that formerly existed to the United
States Government among the people of this
province should be conserved and encouraged.
Being in close touch with the people, having
visited all the pueblOs times. having
lived with them in their homes. l know that
such sentiment once existed. OF late by
son of the conduct of the troops, such the
extensive burning of the barriOS in trying to
lay waste the country so that the insurgents
cannot occupy it, the torturing of natives by So
called water-cure and other methods in order
to obtain information, the harsh treatment of
natives generally, and the failure of ineXper-
enced lately appointed leutenants commanding
posts to distinguish between those who are
friendly and those unfriendly, and TO treat every
native as If he were, whether no, insur-
recto at heart this favorable sentiment above
referred to is being fast destroyed and a deep
hatred toward engendered. If these things
need be done, they had best be done by native
troops, so that the people OF the United States
Will not be credited herewith
Almost without exception soldiers and also
many officers refer to natives in their presence
as 'niggers," and the natives beginning TO
understand what the word 'nigger'
The course now being pursued in this province
and in the provinces of Batangas La guna and
Samar is, in my opinion, sowing the seeds for
perpetual revolution against us hereafter when
ever a good opportunity offers. Under present
conditions the political situation in this province
is slowly retrograding. and the American senti-
ment is decreasing, and daily making
permanent enemies
In the course above referred to troops make
distinction often between the property of
those natives who insurgents insurgent
sympathizers and the property Of those who
heretofore have risked their lives by being loyal
to the United States and giving information
against their countrymen in arms. Often every
house in a harrio is burned.
In my, opinion. the small number of frrecon
clable insurgents still in arms. although ad
mittedly difficult TO catch, does not justify the
means employed, and especially when taking
into consideration the suffering that must be
undergone by the innocent and its effect upon
the relations with these people hereafter.
The work of the Philippine Commission and
ny
everywhere favorably commented upon by the
natives. The efforts being made for the gen
eral education Of the people are appreciated by
all The provincial government and the munich
pal governments established are slowly bringing
order out Of chaos and anarchy, and there be
gins to be visible everywhere in this province
progress and prosperity. True loyalty and
tentment can only come under a benign civil
government.