The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-06
ARNOLD IS ACQUITTED.
Took No Part in Cruel Treat
ment of Natives.
War Department Fines Due Vigilance Was
Not Exercised By Him and Mimges
Light Censure With Praise.
(By the Associated Press. }

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, July 5.-The War Depart
ment today gave out the results of tn
inquiry made by Colonel Crowder int,
the case of Lieutenant Frederick T
Arnold. Fourth Cavalry, acquittirg hin
Of direct knowledge or completely in tn,
ill-treatment of Filipinos by Unite,
States soldiers.
This is the case referred to by Sens
tor Culberson on the floor of the Senat,
short time ago. The case grew out q
charges made by ex-Private Weir against
Lieutenant Arnold, alleging cruel treat.
ment OF prisoners of war occurring
within his command, while serving in
the philippines. 1t was understood that
General Miles has recommended tC
Secretary Root that the charges were OF
character to justify a court-martial
The action of the War Department l.
embodied in the following extract from
letter to Lieutenant Arnold through the
commanding general OF the Department
OF the Missouri:
THE Secretary of War, while con-
curing in the conclusion expressed by
the inspector that the evidence acuuits
you Of direct knowledge of or completely
in the infection of the punishments
shown to have been practiced by mem
bers of your command, is of the opinion
that these abuses were prevcntable and
could scarcely have occurred had you
exercised that high degree of vigilance
which was imperatively demanded by the
unusual conditions under which your
command was operating; that your fail
ure to do this is only measurably ex-
cused by the numerous and exacting
civil luties imposed upon you, and justly
exposes you to official censure for neg
leet of duty, the direct result of which
has been that. because of the few in
stances of cruel treatment OF prisoners
which were of undoubted occurrence
within your commend, the military ser
vice generally has incurred unjust
criticism.
THAT such neglect has not been the
subject Of charges is due to the con-
siderations above noted and to the fur
Their fact shown in evidence that in your
personal and official relations with the
natives you uniformly exhibited kind
ness and consideration for them, and
results for the betterment of conditions
among them, particularly in the estab-
iishment OF municipal government and in
the maintenance of public schools. In
this connection and as further influencing
the action taken the Secretary of War
is pleased to recognize the special COM
mendation for gallantry in action ex-
tended you by your regimental and divis-
ion commanders.
The War Department also furnishes the
following statement of the facts de-
veloped:
The evidence taken in the course of
the investigation shows that the punish
ment charged by Private Weir of the
native prisoners at Pasay was admins
tered by three native policemen of the
town of Pasay. directed and assisted by
Sergeant James c. Edwards. Troop II,
Fourth United States Cavalry, in the
quarters of detachment, six of whom
testify in substantial confederation of
the more material allegations preferred
by Weir, but state that no serious in
jury resulted from this punishment. 1t
appears that with the exception of Ser
geant Edwards, none of these mel had
anything to do with the administration
of the punishment; all except him being
there as spectators.
Private Weir's allegations of severe
Dunishments resorted to by members OF
Lieutenant Arpold's command at Calaca,
Luzon, were stated by him upon hear
say evidence; he disclaiming all direct
knowledge as to these punishments The
evidence taken completely refutes these
charges, but does establish the fact that
punishments of a lesser degree of cruelty
but wholly unjustifiable, were secretly
inflicted by Sergeant Edwards and the
native scouts in the quarters separately
operated by them at Talaya and behind
closed doors.
The evidence of guilt against Ser
geant Edwards and of the native scouts
who, under his direction. administered
in greater part all the punishments above
referred to, is reported as conclusive
by Colonel Crowder, who expresses the
view that their trial therefore, IL now
possible, would of necessity be followed
by conviction and severe punishment. He
further reports that such action in the
case Of Sergeant Edwards cannot be had
for the reason that upon publication in
the daily press of the fact that such
charges had been made against him. and
that an investigation had been instituted
and preliminary action looking to his
trial ordered by the Secretary of War,
he deserted the service on May 80, at
San Francisco. Cal, and has not since
been apprehended"
Threa pofharc "a n~ovuu.d