New-York tribune., 1902-05-08
CAMPAIGNS JUSTIFIED.
SECRETARY ROOT APPROVES
BELLS AND SMITH, s POLICY.
HE INSISTS THAT THEIR METHODS
WERE THE MOST HUMANE AND
EFFECTIVE THAT COULD
BE FOLLOWED.
BE FOLLOWED
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

rbatically justifes the methods pursued by Cen
eral Bell in Batargas and General Smith in
samar to end the guerilla fighting that was
devastating those provinces and decmating the
army garri5ons by the resort of natives TO prac-
tees intolerable among civilized nations. The
policy adopted by these generals, he insists. was
the most humane and effective that could be
followed The conduct of those compaigns. for
which the army has been so severely but un-
warrantably criticised. he declares, have their
complete justification in ali official document
which ne presented TO the President pro tempore
Of the Senate to-day in the following letter an
swering the resolution of Senator Culberson,
adopted by the Senate on May l.
BELLS POLICY IN BATANGAS-
The letter quotes verbatim the much discussed
order by General Bell. dated December 81. 1901
and issued at Batangas. This order reads:
To all station commanders:
The United States Government, disregarding
many provocations TO do otherwise. has for
three years exercised an extraordinary forbear-
ance and patiently adhered to a magnaulmous
and benevolent policv toward the inhabitants of
the territory garrisoned by this brigade. Not
withstanding this fact. opposition TO the govern
rnent has been persiStently continued through
out this entire period by a majority Of its In
habitants- The enemy. long reaIzlng thelF IN
ability TO maintain themselves without the
unanimous cooperation and support Of the en-
tire population. have in order TO keep up their
useless struggle, established a reign Of terror
bv resorting to atrocities and eXpedients which
violate the we'll known laws and usages of war
as announced in General Orders No. 100 Adju-
tant Generals Office 1868. approved and pub
lished by order Of President Lincoln, for the
government of the armies of the United States
in the field.
First-They have accepted local offices from
The government and taken the oath of allegiance
solely for the purpose of improving their oppor-
tunities and facilities for deceiving American
officials and treacherously aiding and assisting
the cause OF the insurrection. in violation OF
Section 26.
second-They have with boIos and other
weapons killed helpless prisoners and soldiers
living on the ground, wholly disabled by wounds
which prevented their defending themselves in
any way in violation of Sections 40. 56, 81
and II.
BARBARITIES OF INSURGENTS.
Third-In order TO confuse their identity and
thereby be bic the more safely to conduct their
skulking operations. they have adopted the uni
form Of army and native troops without any
plain striking, and uniform mark of distinction
Of their own in violation Of Section 63.
Fourth-They have improvised and secreted in
the vicinity Of roads and trails ready constructed
internal machines propellng poisoned arrows
or darts in violation of Section 40, thus plac-
ing themselves beyond the pale of the laws and
usages of war.
Fff-h-Men and squads OF men without COM
mission. without being part or portion OF the
regularly organized hostile army, without shar-
ing continuously in the war, but with intermit-
tent returns TO their homes and aVocations, ana
with frequent assumption Of the semblance or
peaceful pursuits. divesting themselves Of the
character and appearance of soldiers, have COM
mitted hostilities by fighting and making raids
of various kinds, after which concealing their
arms. they have returned, posing as peaceful
citizens and secretly lived in the same towns
with garrsons Of our troops. in violation OF
sixth-Armed prowlers have stolen within the
lines Of army TO cut telegraph wires and
destroy bridges. Armed assassins, designated
and controlled by the enemy, have come dls-
guised as peaceful citizens into the very pres
ence Of our garrison. and have assasslnated, IN
broad daylight in crowded market places, per
yVfTIlV condemned death Dy the
enemy for being friendly, or assisting the legiu-
mately organized government the fear. sym
pathy, or cooperation of the entire population
effectually preventing our apprehension ana
punishment Of the assassin. This in violation
Of Section 81.
Seventh-The apparently pacific inhabitants
Of towns occupied by the American army have
treacherously risen in arms against ii, IN viola
ton Of Section So
Eighth-A large percentage of the population
though owing allegiance to the American gov
ernment under the provision Of Section 70
have acted as spies and traitors, in VIOLA
ton Of provisions Of Sections S. 90 and 81
Ninth-A very great number Of insurgent Off
cials. soldiers and other aiders and abettorS or
the insurrection, after voluntarily surrenoerlnS
and after having been captured, have been par
doned and released from confinement upon TAX
ing the oath Of allegiance or giving paroles, ana
have subsequently violated their Oaths or paroles
without scruple, by again entering the service
Of the insurgent army or aiding or assisting the
same in violation Of Sections % 124 and
100 Against but one Of these fragrant viola
tions Of the laws Of war, namely. murder, has
lne United states Government ever duJuuBtu VI
executed the severe penalties authorized by the
sections Of the law above cited, in the vain hope
that, by this exercise of forbearance and gen
erosity, the people might be conciliated and
become reconciled to and convinced Of the
benevolent purposes of the government. In
stead Of having had the desired effect. however,
this policy in the provinces Of Batangas and
Laguna has apparently failed TO appeal TO even
the keenest and most appreciative intelects.
On the contrary, ii has been interpreted by
many as an evidence Of weakness and fear and
puned up by a childish and Ignorant conceit
over what they are pleased to consider success
full resistance Of our power the people have be-
come so arrogant that they look down upon our
government and scorn its kindliest efforts at
pacihcation. We consequently find ourselves
operating in a thoroughly occupied terrain
against the entire population, united in
hopeless struggle, using, conniving toll
Grating barbarous methods, which almost reach
the limit in outraging the laws and usages Of
legitimate warfare.
The reckless expedients adopted by the en-
emy, especially the policy Of intimidation and
assassination. leaves TO the brigade commander
no other means Of protecting either the lives of
his subordinates, or those Of peaceful friendly
citizens, or the interests of his government
against the repetition Of barbarous outrage ex-
cept the enforcement Of the penalties authorized
by the above cited laws of war and he has the
right OF retaliation under the provisions of Sec
fully sscertained conditions and circumstances
warrant the under the restrictions pre-
scrloed In Section 2S
RETALIATION FOR MURDER.
The brigade commander therefore announces
Tor the information Of all concerned that wher-
ever prisoners or unarmed or defenceless Ameri-
cans or natives friendly to the United States
Government murdered assassinated for
polucal reasons, and this fact can be estab-
Hsbeo' IL Is MS purpose 10 execute prisoner OF
war under the authority contained in Sections
% and 14S. This prisoner OF viii be select
ed by lot from among the officers prominent
citizens held as prisoners of war and will be
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