New-York tribune., 1902-02-05
TAFT PRAISES THE ARMY
THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
HUMANELY CONDUCTED.
INSURGENTS RIGHT TO LENIENT
TREATMENT WORN OUT-MOST OF
THE FILIPINOS WANT PEACE.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO The TRrBUSE.l

by the army in the pacifcaton of the isiahds
and to the methods of guerilla warfare with
which the military administration had to cope
He gave the amplest credit TO the army for ac-
complshing with thoroughness a difficult and
exhausting task-with such thoroughness indeed
that no body Of insurgents is now left in any
part Of the archipelago willing to face the Amer
ican troops in warfare OF an open and recog-
nized sort. Governor Taft also dismissed as un-
warranted the charge of cruelty made against
American officers and soldiers, although saying
that the innate cruelty of the Filipinos and the
numberless barbarites they have committed
had led az times to reprisals which 1t was easy
TO Justify and difficult to check. It was his
deliberate Judgment, he said. that never had
war been conducted in which compass
sion, more restraint and more generosity had
been exhibited thnn in connection with the
American war in the Philippines.
THE ARMY'S ARDUOUs TASK.
Referring to his testimony of yesterday, Gov
ernOr Taft said he feared that he had given
wrong impression concerning the part the army
had played in bringing the insurrection to an
end but If so this was due to the fact that he
could not present correct impression of the
whole situation from point of view. Then,
in order to give the army its just due. he took
up and analyzed its work in the islands. He
recalled that soon General Otis had
ceived reinforcements sufficient for his purposes
the Filipino army had broken up and scattered
into guerilla bands. On this point Aguinaldo
and Luna differed, Luna advocating the con-
rinuance of the war on the old lines So sharp
this difference that Aguinaldo had directed
and secured the assassination Of Luna, thus
leaving the way open for the carrying out of his
plans He would not he said, report the
incident If IL had not been positively reported
10 him by General Funston. AguinaldO said
that If he did not kill Luna Luna would kill
him. Indeed. the custom to order mans
death in his absence, and have him killed his
return. The presence OF these guerilla bands
rendered il necessary TO place garrisons every
where, there being at time many five
hundred of them This rendered the work be-
fore the army very arduous. and the activity,
the skill and the bravery Of the American troops
were such 10 render the enemy tired OF
the warfare.
The condition Of activity continued until the
last Presidential election in the United States"
said the Governor. The insurgents believed
that If Mr.. Bryan should be elected there would
be change of policy, and the islands sur
rendered. placing those who in insurrec-
fion in charge. but when Mr.. Mckinley was
elected there feeling that there would be
indefinite retention of the archipelago, and
that the system then in force would be con-
tinued."
THE FILIPINOS' CRUELTY
Discussing the effect Of the guerilla warfare.
Governor Taft said 1t often resulted in the /
murder Of The Fflipinos themselves. II venture
10 say he continued, that there is not a
Filipino general commanding officer who
could not be convicted Of responsibility for the
killing Of their own people" This led him to
speak OF the traits Of the FiIipnos one of
which was cruelty. He had been told by Amer
ican officers OF many instances of mutilation
of the bodies OF soldiers This being true IT
was not surprising that there had been some
retaliation the part of small bands Of Amer
ican soldiers. He had heard of no charge of
mutilation but there probably were some cases
of unnecessary killing, some cases OF whipping
and some cases of what is called the water
cure" this method of punishment consisting of
pouring water down the throats of men until
they would swell mp and becoming frightened
would tell what they might know. as. for in
stence, where guns could be secured He called
attention to the orders Of General Macarthur
as to these practices, which were, he said. very
strict. If these tnfractions of propriety had oc-
CURED he was they had been In the face Of
direct orders TO the contrary.
SOME CASES OF RETALIATION.
In reply to question by Senator Patterson
as TO the practices of the Macabebes Governor
Taft warned the committee and others against
accepting without a great degree of allowance
the statements made I'm private letters. He
considered most Of these untrustworthy, 1udg-
ing from what he had seen Of them. In gen
eral it impossible TO prevent retaliation by
private soldiers under all circumstances AS a
rule. American prisoners were treated we'll by
the Filipinos. This, so far he knew. uni
formly true of the Filipino officers who were
high in command. There were cases to
the contrary the part OF subordinate Fill
pino officers.
He had not he said in reply to a question
reports Of the killing of Filipino prisoners with
the knowledge of General Metcaf Of Kansas
Governor Taft said that Notwithstanding he was
not IN attitude OF favor to military rule, il
still his deliberate Judgment that never
had been conducted in which more COM
passion more restraint and more generosity
had been exhibited than in connection with the
American in the Philippines"
Senator Culberson inquired concerning the
effect Of the policy of concentration In the
Philippines. Governor Taft said that General
Bells order for concentration had been pub
lished since his departure from Manila. He had.
however, talked with General Bell on that point
and told him that he did not consider such an
order necessary. because hs of the opinion
that proper degree OF pressure brought to bear
on the wealthy men of Batangas would cause
the province TO yield without making a sweep
ing order of concentration
"A CRIME AGAINST CIVILIZATION"
After reading part Of General Bells order.
Senator Culberson asked IL he still entertained
the same opinions as TO the military policy in
the Philippines.
To this Governor Taft replied: THE war has
been all over these islands and that which re
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