The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-25
Officers Inquiring Into Alleged
 CrueIiGs to Natives,
GENERAL REEL REPORTS
Miles Wanted to Know Why He Issued a Circular and 5eeI Enuemerates Instances in Justification of
 Ills Action in Matter.

Manila, December A.-Several official inquiries into charges of alleged cruelty to natives by soldiers are at present pro gressing throughout the islands. Some of these cases have been investigated
 When General Miles was at Lipa, in the province of Batangas, Luzon, certain na- tiyes laid charges before him that during the campaign of reconstruction. Ameri- can soldiers had committed acts of cruel ty and violence. General Miles referred the matters to General Davis and the latter detailed Colonel Morris c. Foote of the Twenty-ninth infantry to inves- tfgate Colonel Foote found the charge of violence to be untrue, but it is believ- cd he found in some cases that the water cure had been administered. His report will be sent to Washington.
 While General Miles was in the islands, Major George Hunter of the Fifteenth cavalry repeated to him certain charges which had been brought against Captain Robert L. Howse. of the Sixth cavalry, when in command at Laog, North Iloeos, Luzon, in 1900. At the time specified Cap- tain Howse was lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-fourth volunteer infantry. Major Hunter said that native officials of Laog had whipped certain prisoners, two of whom died from the effects of this treat ment At the time of this alleged occur renee, Major Hunter was serving at Laog; he reported the matter in a letter to Gov ernor Taft who informed General MacAr- god c1,. An investigation was ordered and the bodies of the two prisoners who died were exhumed. In report the investlga- tors held Captain Howse to be blameless. General Miles brought Major Hunter to the north of Luzon and landed him at Laog before leaving the islands for China. At present Major Hunter is in Manila. He says the investigation into the charges against Captain Howse has not yet been completed.
 After elaving Manila General Miles sent a cablegram to General Bell directing him to report what cases of misconduct on the part of the enemy had led him to issue circular No. B. in which it was charged the enemy had boloed American wounded, had made use of American uniforms, had planted internal machines, shot poisoned errows, violated their paroles. assassinat- cd friendly natives. accepted offices un- der the Americans for the purpose of ob- taining inoframtion and had entered the American lines by deceit. General Bell has written an extended report. enumer- ating the instances which justified him in his action.
 The inquiry into the cause which led to the death of Father Augustin has been completed and forwarded to Washington.
 The water cure was administered to Father Augustine at Banate, Panay Island The priest died from the effect of this treatment. It is said that large sum of money has been raised among the natives of the southern islands and sent to Boston to aid in the private pros ecution of the Augustines The assertion has been made that this money was in- tended for use against Major Glenn of the Fifth infantry who is charged with unlawfully and wilfully killing seven pris- oners of war and whose trial will be con tinued here In January. Major Glenn, however, was in no way connected with the Augustines