Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-04-26

Lynn, Mass, April 24.-Two Lynn
men, who We're formerly members Of
Company ID, Twenty-sixth regiment,
U. s. ", and stationed In the Philip
pines have written Senator Lodge,
giving him full statement of instances
OF the application of the water cure in
the Philippines that came under their
observation. Senator Lodge informed
them that the matter will be laid be-
fore the proper authorities.
The men who have made the state
ments are Private William Labelle and
Albert w. Bertrand. In his statement
to Senator Lodge, Labelle says he per-
sOnally saw several instances of the ap-
plicatiOn of the water cure. He says
that while at Anllao, three natives, two
young men and man about 80 years of
age, We're taken by Company d men into
Catholic church at Anilao, their
hands were tied, and squad of men
applied the water cure to the three
men I.abelle says it was understood
the three natives knew where insurgent
guns were concealed, and the water
cure was given them in an attempt to
have them describe the whereabouts
of the arms.
Labelle says one of the natives re-
fused to tell where the guns were Sc
creted, and after lie had been given the
water cure he was blindfolded, and one
Of the soldiers fired his gun near the
mans head. The same instant the gun
was fred another member of the squad
hit the native with stone. and he was
told that he had been shot. The ma
tive then told the soldiers where they
could find the insurgent guns. In re-
lating this incident Labelle gives the
names of the officers and privates who
participated. ....
Continuing his statement, Labelle
says that in the summer of 1900, while
the United States forces were about
three miles from Estancia, Company d
captured three natives and gave them
the water cure The water was muddy
and it was forced into their mouths
with tunnel. After the men had been
filled with water, blood came from their
eyes and ears. Labelle says a sergeant
had charge Of the water cure squad
when these men were treated.
Labelle says that after the old man
had been given the water cure at An.
ilao he was jumped upon by soldier
and the water spurted from the mans
mouth.
Bertrand has furnished Senator Lodge
with particulars Of the disappearance
and killing of Father Augustine,
Roman Catholic priest, at Bolo. Bert.
rand says 1t was reported that FIR.
Augustine knew where insurgent gold
was buried, and the men were anxious
to have him tell them where it could
he found. Bertrand says men from
Company ID captured him in December,
1900 and dressed him in a uniform Of
the United States artillery. He was
then taken to Banate and kept In cell.
He refused to tell where the gold was
buried, and on the night Of Dec. o he
was taken to house formerly occupied
by the presidente Of the village, where
the water cure was given him by the
water cure sQuad.' Bertrand says
the priest was tied on the ground and
then given the cure. The men then pro-
ceeded to get nearly all the water out
Of him, but he did not revive and they
became frightened and surgeon was
sent for. His services proved unsuc-
cessful, however, and Bertrand says the
priest died on the morning of Dec. 10.
Some Of the men were sworn to
secrecy, and the body was buried in
plot Of land used by the troops as a
baseball ground. Bertrand says that
non-cOmmissiOned officer was seen with
the priests watch and chain, and when
q commissioned officer learned this
they were turned over to him. In his
statement Bertrand gives the names Of
the men taking part, and also refers to
several officers. ..
According to Labelle, when Company
D was out on hike, while stationed at
Dungas, in July, 1900. the men were Or
dered to burn everything and see that
no grown person escaped. He under
stood the order as meaning that every
body, with the exception Of children,
should be shot, and Labelle says that Is
what the men proceeded to do.
Labelle and Bertrand say that while
Mt Dungas the soldiers came to a hut
where a native woman had just given
birth to child. The husband was
made prisoner and the woman and
child were dragged from the hut and
left on the ground. The native shack
was then burned, but LabeIle and Bert
rand do not know what became of the
woman and child.