The news & observer., 1902-02-05
DEEMS THE WAR
A DOUBLE CRIME
Against the Filipino and
Against Civilization.
SEVERE ON lNSURRECTOS
BELLS Reconcentration Order Was Not
Necessary.
SEVERE ON lNSURRECTOS
so SAYS TAFT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
H Does Not Think the Whole Filipino People
Should be Made to Suffer For the
Deeds of Those Who Are
in Arms.
(By the Associated Press. )


Washington, Feb 4.-Goyernor Taft to-
day continued his narrative before the
Senate Committee on the Philippines
concerning conditions in the Philippine
archipelago.
Governor Taft analyzed the work OF
the army in the islands. He recalled
that as socn as General Otis had re-
eeived reinforcements sufficient for his
purposes the Philippine army had broken
up and scattered into guerrilla bands. On
this point Aguinaldo and Luna had diff
fered, Luna advocating the continuance
OF the wax on the old lines. So sharp
was this difference, he said, that Agri-
naldo had directed and secured the assas
siration of Luna, thus leaving the way
open for the carrying out of his own
plans.
The presence of these guerilla bands
rendered it necessary to place garrisons
everywhere, there being at one time as
n any as 500 of them
--g~s.The condition of activity continued
until the last presidential election in
the United States,'' said the Governor
The Insurgents believed that If Mr.. Bry
ar should be elected there would be a
ehange of policy and the islands sur
rendered. placing those who were in in
sGrrecticn in charge; but when Mr.. Nc
kinley was elected there was a feeling
that there would be an indefinite reten-
tion of the archipelago and that the
system then in force would be con-
tinued."
Governor Taft said one of trait OF the
bilipinos is cruelty. He had been told
by American officers of many instances
or mutllation of the corpses of our SOL
diers. This being true it was not sur
Irising that there had been some retail
lation on the part of the small bands of
American soldiers. He had heard of no
charge OF mutilation, but there were prob
ably some cases Of unnecessary kill
ing, some cases OF whipping and some
cases Of what is called the water cure. 4"
This method OF punishment consisting of
pouring water down the throats of men
until they swelled up and becoming
frightened told what they knew as for
instance, where guns could be secured
II these infractions of propriety had
occurred he was sure they had been on
the face of direct orders TO the con-
trary.
Governor Taft said that notwithstanding
he Was not In an attitude of favor to
military rule, it was still his deliberate
judgment that "never had a war been
conducted in which more compassion.
more restraint and more generosity had
been exhibited than in connection with
the American war liz the Philippines.
In this connection Senator Culberson
made inquiry concerning the effect of
the policy of concentration in the Phi
lrpines, Replying, Governor Taft said |
that General Bells order for concentra |
tion had been published since his de-
rarture from Manila. He had. however
talked with General Bell on that point
and had told him that he did not consider
such an order necessary.
.tfter reading a part of General Bell.s
order Senator Culberson asked if he san |
entertained the same opinions previously |
expressed as TO the military policy in !
the Philippines. To this Governor Taft !
replied:
The war which remains, Is a crime |
agsinst civilization. 1t is also a crime |
against the Filipino people to keep IN |
a state of war under the circumstances.
They have worn out the right to any !
treatment but that which is severe and |
within the laws OF war
This statement led Senator Patterson |
to ask whether the witness did not con-
slider that even small number of peo-
rle who were waging war for inde
rendence dc not deserve consideration
at the hands of the American army In I
response Governor Taft said that the !
great majority of the people of the is
lands, desire peace and that the insur-
rcctionists were by their acts preventing
the mass of the people from settling down
and earning quiet living. Instead OF
being allowed to 10 this they were kept
under system of terrorism which should
be stopped
Democratic members of the committee
read statements from General MacAr-
thur and others expressing the opinion
that the hostility of the Filipinos to
American institutions is due to innate
differences aud Is general, but Governor
Taft replied that he had approached the
question at issue from different stand
posnt from these authorities and said
that most of his conclusions aere drawn
from contact with The Flllpinos them
selves.
In conclusion. Governor Taft was ques-
toned concerning the act Of the Philip
zine Commission for the punishments of !
treason. but he expressed desire to ;