Evening journal., 1902-07-28
GRIM CHARGES
AGAINST IHR ARMY
Aati-ImperiaIiStS Offer 10
Prove The Same
Send an Open Letter to the President,
Asking Further Investigation Of
Philippine Affairs


Lake George, N. Y, July 2S.-At a
meeting of representative anti-imper-
ialists held in New York city last
spring a committee was appointed to
investigate army conditions in the
Philippines. That committee has since
then been prosecuting its inquiries.
President Roosevelt's recent review OF
the court martial of General Jacob II.
Smith seemed to the committee to de
mand some reply, and at a meeting
just held at Lake George an open let
ter to the president was adopRd. The
letter was signed by Charles Francis
Adams, chairman; Carl Schurz, Edwin
Burritt Smith, Mooreheld Storey and
Herbert Welsh. 1t says
I'VE desire to express the great
qualification afforded us by your re.
view of the 14th inst. as COMMANDER
in-chief, of the findings of the court
martial in the case of General Jacob
H. Smith. The level here reached is
lofty, and in healthy contrast with that
spirit, far too prevalent, which seeks
excuse, If not justification, for the ex.
cesses of the present, in every in.
stance of inhumanity which can posi-
bly, be exhumed either from colonial
history, OF from the regrettable rec
ords of our Indian warfare.
while thus, however, expressing
our sense of obligation, we wish most
respectfully to call your attention to
certain conclusions which we have in
the course of our own inquiries found
ourselves compelled to reach. Coming
directly to the point, our investga.
tions have led us to conclude that the
decentralization of the officers and sol
diers of our army in the Philippines
including all branches of the service
,and all grades of rank. was far more
general than might be inferred from
your review Of the court martial find
ings in the case Of General Smith. The
essential facts charged in this case
we believe we have reason to say
were rather notorious than excep
tional. Demoralizing influences, very
prejudicial to any high standard o.
military morals, were, under the cir
cumstances, inevitable. This led tC
lamentable results, calling for the firm
hand and stern correction found, anC
most fortunately applied. in your or
ders OF April 18th and July 14th."
The letter then discusses the "kil
and burn" order and says: "As the no
unnatural result of military operations
80 inspired, an official report indicates
that out of a total population in a sin
gle district of 100000, not less thar
100000 perisked."
The letter then alludes to the waite
cure, saying that the first reports o
its practice met with denials, whil'
evidence before the senate Philippine
committee proved conclusively tina
this and other forms Of torture hal
been used.
The letter concludes: I'VE find ouI
selves compelled to take issue witt
you on one important point In you
review of July IA you say almost uni
versally the higher officers have s.
borne themselves as to supply the nc
cessary check over acts of an improT
er character by their subordinates
We, on the contrary, have found oul
selves compelled to the belief that tn
. acts referred to were far more ger
eral, the Generalization more all-pei
vasive. We hold ourselves ready t
direct your attention to concrete cases
the investigation of which woul
demonstrate the following crimina
acts. contrary to all recognized rule
and usages of war, on the part of off
GERS and soldiers of the United States
kidnapping and murder, unde
circumstances OF aggravated brutality
"2-Robbery.
"S-Torture both of men and won
en-, and rape of the latter.
1.-The inhiction of death on othe
parties, on the strength of evidenc
elected through torture"