Evening journal., 1902-02-20
WATER CURB
STORY A Lib
General Funston Denies That
Troops Tortured FiIipinOS
Secretary Root Says Insurgents Killed
Natives Who We're Friendly to
Our Government

fNacHAnEAOnf INHs -'s AeNNl iAAtNtAAAr
TO an inquiry from Senator Lodge.
Secretary OF War Root yesterday sc-t
to him a large number of papers bear
ing upon the charge that cruelty Is
practiced by the American troops on
the natives of the Philippines. Scna-
tor Lodge presented the documents
in the senate. Among the documents
forwarded are the records OF 10 inyes-
LEGATIONS into such charges, and the
secretary says that every report or
charge of this description which has
at any time been brought to the notice
of the war department has been the
subject of prompt investigation" He
adds that in substantially every case
inquired into the report has proved
TO be either unfounded or grossly ex-
aggerated. He also says the depart
ment is now engaged in conducting
an investigation into the charge made
in the senate last week that the wa
ter cure is the favorite torture of the
American, and especially of the Maca-
bebe scouts, to force the natives to
give information, and that a soldier
who was with General Funston had
stated that he had helped to admins
ter the water cure" to 100 natives
all but 20 of whom died.
He encloses a copy of a letter re-
ceivod from General Funston. dated
February 2, 1902, in which he declares
the statement to be an "atroclous lie,
without the slightest foundation of
fact" and also letter from Lieuton.
ant Batson, the commander OF the
Macabebo scouts, to the same effect.
The secretary further says The
war on the part of the Filipinos has
been conducted with the barharous
cruelty common among uncivilized
races, and with general disregard to
the rules OF civilized warfare. They
deliberately adopted the policy of
killing all natives. however peaceful,
who We're friendly to our govern
ment, and in literally thousands of
instances these poor creatures. de
pendent upon our soldiers for protec-
ton, have been assassinated. The
Filipino troops have frequently fired
upon our men from under the protec.
tion of flags Of truce, tortured to death
American prisoners who have fallen
into their hands buried alive both
Americans and friendly natives, and
horribly mutilated the bodies of the
American dead. That the soldiers
fighting against such an enemy anS
with their own eyes witnessing sucl
deeds should occasionally be regard
less of their orders and retaliate by
uniustinable seventies is not incred
ible. That such occurrences have
been sanctioned or permitted is no
true.
'The war in the Philippines hai
been conducted by the American
army with scrupulous regard for thl
rules of civilized warfare, with careful
and genuine consideration for the pris
oner and the non-comhatant. with sell
restraint and with humanity, neve
surpassed If ever equalled in any con
fiict worthy only of praise. and reflect
ing credit upon the American people.
Twenty.four Unruly Indians Jailed.
Muskogee. l. T.. Feb. 2O.-Twenty
four members Of the Crazy Snak
hand, who were arrested near Her
rietta. We're brought here yesterda
and lodged in the Federal Jail Ia
Tah-Micco and nine others Of Snake
band escaped from the officers. SCI
eral Of the number were In last year
uprising Nothing has yet been hear
from the lsparhecher home, where o
Monday evening a band of 20 ful
bloods, led by Chitto Hario himsel
were endeavoring to take an Amer
can flag from the ex-chief
Young Roosevelt to Leave Groton.
Groton Mass. Feb. 20.-Theodol
Roosevelt, Jr., is doing well and
his progress towards complete reco
cry continues as rapidly as at presei
he will doubtless leave for Washin
ton on Saturday afternoon Your
Roosevelt has continued to impro'
and was able to sit up today Mr.
Robinson, the presidents sister, mao
a flying visit TO Groton yesterday, 7
turning TO her home on the eveniT
train.
Gift to Rebuild Paterson Library.
Paterson. n. j., Feb 2O-Mrs. MAJ