Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-24
THE WATER CURE".
Two Lynn Men Tell of Seeing
It Administered.
If Stories Are True Cases Were Bru-
tai in the Extreme.
One Victim, A Priest, Died from the
Terrible Treatment.

Lynn. Mass, April 23.-Two Lynn
men, VINO We're formerly members Of
60. u. Goth Reg, u. S. v, and stationed
III the Philippines, have written Sena-
tor Henry Cabot Lodge, giving him
full statement OF Instances where the
application of the water cure in the
Philippines came under their obscrva-
ton. Senator Lodge Informed them
that the matter VIII be laid before the
proper authorities.
The men who have made the state
mcnts are Private William LabelIe and
Albert ". Bertrand, the latter being
clerk of 60. ID and regimentaI clerk NJ
headquarters while the 10Th Reg. was
stationed ut Panay. Cornelius NJ
I@rowncll Of burlington, VT, was cap
tain of the company.
In his statement to Senator Lodge.
LabeIle says he personally saw several
instances Of the application of the wa
ter cure. He says that while at Ami
lao, three natives, two young mon ana
4 man about 50 years Of age. were
taken BY Co. d men into a Catholic
church at Anlao, their hands were tied
ANA Il squad of men applied the water
cure to the three men.
Labcllc says it was understood that
tn" thre" natives knew where insurEent
guns We're concealed and the water cure
was given them III an attempt to have
them disclose the Whereabouts OF the
arms. He says several men of Co. -
s:lW what was going on, yet they were
outside the church and were kept away
from the church by guard. They fin
ally succeeded in getting into the
church and witnessing the water cure
treatment.
Ihbelie says one of the natives re-
fused to tell where the guns were Sc
Creted, and after he had been given
the water cure. he was blndfolded and
one Of the soldiers fired his gun near
the mans head. The same instant the
sun was fired another member of the
SQUAD hit the native with a stone aud
he was told that he had been shot. The
native then told the United States sol
.!iCrs where they could find the insur-
gent guns. In relating this incident
Labcile gives the names of the officers
ana privates who participated
Continuing mis- statement, Labelle
''e'JH lAtit III lily VI iJtV, " Illlt
the United States forces were about
three miles from Estancia, co. ID cap
turcd three natives and gave them the
water cure. The water was muddy and
ii was forced into their mouths with a
tunnel. After the men had been filed
with water, blood came from their
eyes and ears.
Labelle says sergeant had charge of
the water cure squad when these three
men We're treated. Labelle says that
after the old man had been given the
water cure at Anilao he was jumped
upon by soldier ana the water squirt
ed from the mans mouth.
Bertrand has furnished Senator
Lodge with particulars of the disap
pearance and killing of Father Angus
tine, Il Roman Catholic priest, at Bolo.
Mr.. Bertrand says it was reported that
Father Augustine knew where insur-
gent gold were buried and the men
We're anxious to have him tell them
where it could be found.
Bertrand says men from Co. d cap
tured him in December, 1900, and dress
ed him in a uniform of the United
States artillery. He was then taken
to Banate and kept in q Cell. He re-
fused to tell where the gold was buried
and on the night of Dec. he was taken
to house formerly occupied by the
president of the village. Upon his ar
rival at the house, Mr.. Bertrand says
the water cure was given him by the
water cure squad
Bertrand says the priest was tied on
the ground and then given the cure.
The men then proceeded to get nearly
all the water out of him, but he did
not revive. The men then became
frightened and a surgeon was sent for.
His services proved unsuccessful, how
ever, and Bertrand says the priest died
on the morning of Dec. 10. Some of
the men were sworn to secrecy and the
body was buried in plot of land used
by the troops as a baseball ground.
Bertrand says that n non-commis-
CONTINUED on page A.