Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-12
THE WATER CURE.
John Fl. Wright Former Ottumwa
Boy Believes it Justiflable.
SAYS NATIVES ARE IREACHEROUS
in Letter to His Parents In This City
!, Mr.. Wright, Who Is With the Army
! In the Philippines Writes of the Sit
uation In the Islands.

Il uatlon In the Islands.
'7r'' 7.7i
The claim is being made in the
states that the water cure is being
used in the Philippines contrary to
modern farfare. Well, perhaps it may
have been used in some cases, but
very few, and l haven't the least
doubt in the world that if at any time
1t was used, it was used to obtain in
formation that was positively impera-
tive to secure and for no other pur-
pose," writes John Wright, former
Ottumwa boy in a letter to his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Matt Wright, in this city.
Mr.. Wright is in the Adjutant Gener-
ais office of the army in the Philip
pines, and writes a most interesting
letter whics is printed below.
ut is the universal opinion of all
Americans in the islands in regard to
the charges against Major Waller, and
Brig. Gen. Smith, for alleged unneces-
Hary killing of some natives during the
forepart of the hostilities in Samar,
that all that was necessary was done,
and no more" said Mr.. Wright in writ
ing further about the state of affairs
Mr.. Wright, who being on the ground,
should be in a position to know, it
seems that the Americans on the is
lands are strongly in sympathy with
the action OF officers in their treatment
of the natives.
Mr.. Wright also writes entertaining
ly of the resources of the islands and
the different products which are pro-
duced to advantage on this soil. Mr..
Wright says:
Manila, May J., 1902.
Dear Mother, Father and all:-lt is
about time / was writing you again
although really / do not know of any
thing to write that think would in
terest you, there is SO very little go
ing on over here at present that If l
could tell it all to you, you would
not know anything then. About all |
do as have stated before is to go to
the band concerts of an evening and
that is all that almost every one does
to amuse themselves; the circus has
moved away now and the theatres are
all closed. Quite a little excitement
is being caused in army circles in re-
gard to the trials of Major Waller and
Brigadier General Smith, for alleged
unnecessary killing of some natives
during the forepart of the hostilities
in Samar, but it is the universal opin.
ion of all Americans in the islands
that all that was necessary was done
and no more. The papers in the
states have taken the matter in hand
as also has the senate of the United
States. General Smiths trial was be-
gun April Is and do not know how
much longer it will continue The
trouble all came about by an order
from General Smith to Major Waller,
Of the Marine Corps, while Major Wal
Ter was trying to put down the insur.
rection in Samar, to kill and burn ev.
erythlng in sight and to put down the
age limit at ten years, at least this is
what is claimed General Smith said
What he really did say will probably
never be known. However it Is a
fact that certain natives who it seems
were planning treachery towards Ma.
for Waller, were shot and killed after
the plot was discovered and thus the
trial came about. As far as I can un
derstand they claim that the shooting
OF these certain natives was justifia.
BILE under the circumstances. Another
thing that seems to be causing quite
d
treatment of these dear little peace
loving natives who wouldn't like any
thing better than to stick knife in
your back, no danger of them trying
to do so while you were looking. They
are too cowardly for that The claim
is made in the states that the water
cure" is being used contrary to the
mode of modern warfare. Well, per
haps it may have been used in some
cases, but very few, and I haven't the
least doubt in the world that if at any
time 1t was used it was used to obtain
information that was absolutely i'm
perative to secure and for no Other
purpose One of the methods of the
d'water cure" is to take a man, tie his
hands and feet to log or something
so that he cannot move himself. plac
ing him on his back, then placing ir
his mouth a stick. in such way thai
he cannot close his mouth, then tax
ing a bucketful of water and pouring
down his throat, then probably anoth
er bucketful, until the man is pretty
we'll .bloated, then press on his stom
ach with enough force to force the
water out and then ask him If he viii
give you the information you desire;
the chances are that on the first an
plication, he will not talk; if he dom
another dose is given him and more
than the first, in fact understand
that they are sometimes bloated SC
much they nearly burst, the water Il
again pumped out and if they dom
talk the treatment is continued unit
the man is dead. There is no let uI
to 1t when 1t is once started. Anoth
er mode is to tie their hands and feet
tie rope to their body and throw
them into stream of water letting
them be in the water until they are
almost drowned, then pull them OF
and pump the water out Of them ant
keen this up until they do talk or die
IN fact there are several ways of Civ
ing the water cure" Several off
GERS are charged with this crime nov
and are awaiting CONTINENTAL for it
what the outcome of it will be it il
hard to say.
The Cholera Prevalent.
The cholera is still raging here to I
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