Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-28

! good name Of the country is implicated: as
| also is the professional character of officers
| OF the army, some of them retired. many
| still in high command. That we ourselves
are responsible persons, and that we rep
resent responsible persons, needs scarcely
to be alleged, much less proven. We stand
ready to cooperate directly and in utmost
good faith. in the line of Secretary Root s
order OF April 10, to the end that all offend
erS may be brought to justice and the guilty
punished. A careful examination of the
law has satisfied us that no process posi-
Die for us to initiate would elicit further
IactS or suffice to bring culprits to account
In inns communication we have made IT E
erences, the personal application of which is
OBVIOUS and of record. To those thus re-
ferred to courts of military inquiry are
open; and, If demanded, would DOUBTLESS be
py you at once accorded. Before such
courts. If once convened. we would mold
ourselves prepared to substantiate any or
all charges here advanced.
Finally, acknowledging the great service
rendered in the orders herein referred to-
as the result Of the Investigations We have
made and the study we have given to the
documentary evidence already adducei, we
find ourselves, though with deep regret,
compelled to take issue with you on one i'm
portant point. In your review of July Il
you say almost universally the higher OFF,
GERS have so borne themselves to supply
the necessary check over acts of an i'm
proper character by their subordinateS.'
We, on the contrary, have found ourselves
compelled to the belief that the acts re-
ferred to were far more general the de-
moralization more all-peTvasive.
What They Are Prepared to Show.
This we submit and are prepared to
show, is established by the evidence before
the Senate Philippine committee by the
| findings of the courts martial published
on the files of the War Department. and by
documentary proof, already accessible.
further proof could be adduced. None the
less, from the scanty material thus b.
mere chance made accessible to us hero,
many thousand miles from the scene and
long after the time of these occurrences, We
hold ourselves ready to direct your atten-
ton to concrete cases, the investigation of
which would demonstrate the following
criminal acts, contrary to all recognized
rules and usages of war on the part of Of
ficers and soldiers of the United States:
I'D Kidnapping and murder, under cir
cumstances of aggravated brutality.
''(2) Robbery.
"(3) Torture both of men and of women,
and rape of the latter.
80 The infiiction of death on other
parties the strength of evidence elected
through torture
THE facts in one of these cases. the most
aggravated, were early brought to the at
tention of the chairman of the Senate Phil
ippne committee Henry Cabot LODGE
and an investigation urged. 1t was
by him promised, but, for reasons of the
nature of which we are unadvSed, though
presumably for a tender regard for the
honor of the army no action was taken.
The murder of priest of the Roman Cath
Ole Church, man educated, refined, and,
so far as appears. guilty only of the posses
sion of money, was in this case in question.
According to witnesses, still believed to be
accessible, he was foully done away with
by a commissioned officer of the United
States, now in New England. In yet an
other case We are prepared to produce evil
dence of outrage and torture perpetrated
on a Philippine female by those wearing
our uniform and of summary death infiict-
ed on others upon the strength of evidence
wrung from her by torture.
Much Remains Concealed.
There is no tribunal before which these
cases can be brought for judicial inquiry.
Nevertheless, until such a tribunal exists
and is in operation your order of April II,
that all offenders shall summarily be
brought to justice and the guilty punished,
is not effective; for much, we have reason
to assert and stand ready to prove, has
been and still remains concealed, while
many wrongdoers, for various reasons
have been and still are favored or
shielded
MIR. Andrew Carnegie is also a member
of our committee. He is in Europe. and it
has been impossible to consult him in pre-
pairing this communication or to obtain his
signature to it. A copy has been forwarded
to his address, with a request that he will
after due consideration, communicate with
you directly concerning it.
Again thanking you in our own names
and in the names of those represent for
the strong words you have so OPPORTUNITY
spoken and the good work already done
We submit the foregoing to your considera-