The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-08
ARNOLD IS ACQUITTED
Took No Part in Cruel Treat
ment of Natives.
War Department Fines Due Vigilance Was
Not Exercised BY Him and MimgIes
Light Censure With Praise.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, July 1.-The War Depart
ment today ave out the results of the
inquiry made by Colonel Crowder into
the case Of Lieutenant Frederick T.
Arnold, Fourth Cavalry, acquittirg him
of direct knowledge or completely IN the
ill-treatment of Filipinos by United
States soldiers.
This is the case referred to by sena-
tor Culberson on the floor of the Senate
a short time ago. The case grew out Of
charges made by ex-Private Weir against
Lieutenant Arnold, alleging cruel treat
ment of prisoners of war occurring
within his command, while serving in
the Philippines. 1t was understood that
General Miles has recommended to
Secretary Root that the charges were of
a character to Justify a
The action of the War Department is
embodied in the following extract from
a letter to Lieutenant Arnold through the
commanding general of the Department
Of the Missouri:
"The Secretary of War, while con-
curing in the conclusion expressed by
the inspector that the evidence acquits
| you of direct knowledge of or completely
Ill the lIIlliCtlOH Il liz IuilISltItltllLo
shown to have been practiced by mem
bers Of your command, is of the opinion
that these abuses were prevontable and
could scarcely have occurred had you
| exercised that high degree of vigilance
! which was imperatively demanded by the
| unusual conditions under which your
command was operating; that your fail
ure to do this is only measurably eX-
cused by the numerous and e~xacting
civil luties imposed upon you, and Justly
| exposes you to official censure for neg
lcct of duty, the direct result of which
has been that, because of the few in
stances of cruel treatment OF prisoners
which were of undoubted occurrence
within your command, the military ser
vice generally has incurred unjust
criticism.
THAT such neglect has not been the
subject Of charges is due to the con-
sidcrations above noted and to the fur
Their fact shown in evidence that in your
personal and official relations with the
natives you uniformly exhibited kind
ness and consideration for them, and
worked assiduously and with excellent
results for the betterment Of conditions
among them, particularly in the estab-
lishment of municipal government and in
the maintainance of public schools. In
this connection and as further influencing
the action taken the Secretary of War
is pleased to recognize the special COM
mendation for gallantry in action OK
tended you by your regimental and diyis-
ion commanders
The War Department also furnishes the
following statement of the facts de-
vcloped:
The evidence taken in the course of
the investigation shows that the punish
ment charged by Private Weir Of the
native prisoners at Pa5ay was admins
! tered by three native policemen of the
town of Pasay, directed and assisted by
Sergeant James c. Edwards. Troop Il,
Fourth United States Cavalry, in the
quarters of detachment, six of whom
testify in substantial confederation OF
the moro material allegations preferred
by Weir, but state that no serious in
jury resulted from this punishment. 1t
appears that with the exception Of Ser
geant Edwards, mono of these mel lad
anything to do with the administration
of the punishment; all except him being
there as spectators.
private Weir's allegations of severe
runishmcnts resorted to by members OF
Lieutenant Arnold's at Calaca.
Luzon, were stated by him upon hear
say evidence; he d~isclaiming all direct
knowledge as to these punishmonts The
evidence taken completely refutes these
charges, but does establish the fact tina
punishments of q lesser degree of cruelty
but wholly unjustifiable, were secretly
inflicted by Sergeant Edwards and the
native scouts in the quarters separately
operated by them at Talaya and behind
closed doors.
THE evidence of guilt against Ser
geant Edwards and of the native scouts
who, under his direction, administered
in greater part all the punishments above
referred to, is reported as conclusive
by Colonel CroWder, who expresses the
view that their trial therefore,, if now
possible. would of necessity be followed
by conviction and severe punishment. HI
further reports that such action in thf
case Of Sergeant Edwards cannot be ha6
for the reason that upon publication il
the daily press of the fact that sucl
charges had been made against him. an6
that an Investigation had been Instituted
and preliminary action looking to hi:
trial ordered by the Secretary Of War
he deserted the service on May 90, q
San Francisco, Cal, and has not sine
been apprehcnded."