Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-10
DODGE DEFENDS SOLDIERS
Takes People to Task fer Stories Told
About Army in the Philippines.
LINE OF MARCH FOR PARADE ANNOUNCED
One of the Party who was with
Funston at Time Of Capture of
AsuinaIdo in the City 70
Attend the Reunion.

Owing to previous engagements General
Grenville NJ. Dodge will be unable TO at
tend the reunion Of the National Society
Army Of the Philippines in this city next
week, much to the disappointment Of his
friends, who had looked for his presence
here on this memorable occasion. In his
letter regrettipg his inability to be present
during the reunion General Dodge takes the
opportunity to write In behalf Of those on
GERS who have been criticised for severity
In the Philippines. His letter, addressed
to Secretary Sumner Knox Of the Iowa So
citey. Army Of the Philippines. Is as fol-
lows:
sumner Knox, Esq, Secretary Society
Army. Of the philippines, Council BUNS,
Of an invitation to attend the third annual
reunion OF. the National Society of the
Army OF the Philippines, which is to be
neid IN my " home, and l greatly regret
that my engagements are sucn that It will
impossipie. Tor me TO attend. 1 ave a
sreat desire to be present, not only to
greet this army, but as an old soldier to
assure IT. and / know I voice the opinion
Of all old soldiers Of the civil war, that
We honor y ana have only. praise for the
IN the Philippines. and we do not for one
moment believe that It has been guilty OF
either torture or cruelty.
The water cure lie a mild punishment
V possible that in a savage country
some ~cnnio point or provision of the
lYiolated. but, IN my opinion. not to the
oettiment % anyone, and in the civil war
sncn tecn1lcal violations would never have
peer, worthy OF confederation.
IAe tacf - that in the civil war and
Eninippine war 20 officer who accomplished
stepping q little over the marx, and what
has occurred in the Philippines does not
In any way compare with what %occurred
ton TO me to know that the country has
at last come to understand this and up
country. great credit and honor. It Is Al
easy thing TO eritcise an oficer when he
= IVY miles awsy from you. n you are
circumstances under which he Is acting
Perhaps the action he takes is for the
pfTrhse srs sEs t Sf nls w eclTnsnd or himself
ne occurrence: and IN The civil war Sl for
erals Grant, Sherman n others. Of such
cases Y personal knowledge.
unt cSse ln particular my corps and
al the charaeg combined that have been
MADE ee9inat officers In the Philippines.
nlaInls esa - ~ slese com
to accomplish "a certain object. and tSaatt
ne Rsrson could ju6ge Of The necessities
me ana knew my command, and that he
knew we were not Intentionally guilty OF
orders. WI
II is possible that more il expected of
2 soldier AZ this time than during the civil
Wat and perhape people are more critical
q the acts Of their armies and do not a
lnto account the fact that in the civil war
Hes WERE nfhlng our own people, while In
We n Wnlppiine. war we were fighting people
o. All descriptions, from civilized to savske
There iA no one who was more opposed
70 weF than myself, and no one more
pressed that II is happily ended, and in
2 year many things which nave been up-
permoet ~ the minds OF our people win
pc ,IorBotten and never alluded to again
and as time goes By even those who havs
been accused Will receive the reward which.
N my opinion, they are justly entitled to
AxLendlnR heartfelt welcome and con-
eratnlation to the Army of the PHILIPPINES
IN Council Blufts, 1 am, truly
GRANVILLE N. DODGE