New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-07
| MAI. WALLER TO BE TRIED
COURT MARTIAL ORDERED FOR AL
LEGGED ATROCITIES.

Manila, March GA court martial has been
ordered TO try Major Littleton, w T. Waller
and Lieutenant John H. A Day of the Marine
Corps, on March II next. on the charge of exc
cutting natives Of the island of Samar without
trial. One native, it is alleged. was tied to a
tree and publicly shot in the thigh. The next
day the charges state the man shot in the
arms: that on the third day he was shot in the
body and on the fourth day killed.
Friends of the two officers attribute their al
legged actions to loss of mind. due TO the prva-
tions which they suffered in the island of Samar
The privations suffered by Major Waller and
Lieutenant Day. referred to in the dispatch from
Manila to-day probably endured during
the expedition Of Major Waller and a detach
ment Of marines. who started in the last week
Of December. 1901 from Lanang, the east
coast OF Samar, to cross the island to Basoy,
about thirty five miles on the map. Incessant
rains, swollen streams and other natural OBJ
stacles made the marines progress extremely
slow, and when their rations were consumed
the men became exhausted rapidly and dropped
along the way.
Major Waller became separated from his
brother officers. Captain Porter and Lieutenant
R. +. Williams, and the greater part of the
men, and proceeded toward Basey. where he ar
rived January g. with two officers and thr-
teen men and also Lieutenant Lyles of the 18th
Infantry. who accompanied the command. The
major returned to the mountains the next day
for relief but turned back to Basey. about ten
days later, his trip having been unsuccessful.
Captain Porter was to have built RATS. but
the timber would not float. The second day
after separating from Waller Captain Porter
moved toward Lanang where he arrived on
January II with two men. all exhausted physi-
cally and mentally.
Lieutenant Williams and thirty men
were left in the mountains in similar condi-
ton. relief expedition reached the marines
on January 1S and saved Lieutenant Williams
and all his companions. with the exception of
ten men who were not found. and who undoubt-
eddy died from starvation. Captain Porter
Lieutenant Williams and eighteen men were
taken TO the hospital at Tacloban. none OF them
very clear in mind regarding much Of the time
covered by the period of suffering. Major
Waller was disordered in his recollections. The
official report of the War Department at Wash
ington said the sufferings of Major Walters
command for twenty days could not be de-
scribed.
Major Waller rendered gallant service with
the United States marines in China in the
march of the allied forces from the sea TO
Picking. He was appointed TO the Marine Corps
from Virginia. and was commissioned second
lieutenant on June 16 1880. His first sea duty
was on the frigate Lancaster. in the Mediter-
ranean, a vessel which present at the bonn
bardment of Alexandria.
The Lancaster landed detachment Of ma
rnes. including Lieutenant Waller, who won
distinction in breaking into burning store and
removing between fifteen thousand and twenty
thousand rounds Of cartridges at the risk OF
their lives thus saving the lives OF numerous
foreigners who were living close by. Waller
also rescued a score or more Of Greek women
from a hospital which had been set on fire by
the AIexandrans He devised a ladder out Of
bed clothing and lowered one woman after an
other safely to his men on the ground.
Waller promoted nTSt heutSnant IN
1850. and in 1890 he became captain, and was
stationed at the Marine Barracks Norfolk, from
March 1891 TO March, 1895. He again Joined
the Lancaster in September 1880, and went 10
the Newark in July, 1896 Captain Waller was
transferred TO the Indiana when the deStruc-
indicated war with Spain, and he had charge
OF the second battery Of that ship. When Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet came out Of Santiago Har-
Dor. Walters battery fired LA shots in sixty
five minutes. In November, 1899. Major Wal
Ter, who had been promoted TO that rank July
- 1899, was stationed at the marine barracks
at CaVitE. where ne remained until early in
June 1900. when he sailed for Taku with n de-
tachment Of one hundred marines and took part
in the fighting at Tien-Tsin July L. assisting
in capturing fort west Of the North City.
After leaving China Major Waller returned to
Manila and from there. on October %. 1901 he
Soon afterward Major Waller attacked a force
of insurgents occupying a strong position at
Soften, and. after two days desperate fight
ing carried the position. Two OF the marines
and twenty-six insurgents were killed. Major
Waller destroyed the insurgent quarters and
seventy houses.
MO 1TEDJT1NT DLI'ED CLC