The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-04-18
GARDENER HITS ARMY.
Charges Contained in the Report Of the
Governor Of Tayabas PrOvince-NatiEes
Tortured, He says

recently come to light, said IN part
aAs civil governor, I feel it my duty
to say that it is my firm conviction
that the United States troops should
at the earliest opportunity be cOncen-
trated in one or two garrisOns, if it is
thought desirable that the good senti-
ment and loyalty that formerly existed
toward the United States among the
PEOPLE of this province should be con-
served and encouraged
being in close touch with the PEG
pie, having visited all the pueblos one
or more times, having lived with them
in their homes, I know that such senti-
ment once existed. OF late, by reason
Of the conduct of the troops, such as
the extensive burning Of the barriOs in
trying tqIay waste the country so that
the insurgents cannot occupy it, tor
turing of natives by the sO-called
water cure and other methods, in order
to obtain information, the harsh treat
ment of the natives generally, and the
failure of inexperienced, lately aP-
pointed Iieutenants commanding posts,
to distinguish between those who are
friendly and those unfriendly, and to
treat every native as though he were,
whether or no, an inSurgent at heart,
this favorable sentiment above refer
red to is being fast destroyed, and
| deep hatred toward US engendered. If
| these things need be done, they had
best be done by native troops, so that
the people of the United States will
/ not be credited Herewith.
! almost without exception, soldiers
and also many officers, refer to natives
in their presence as 'niggers,' and the
natives are beginning to understand
/ what the word niger means.
"The course now being pursued in
I this province and in the provinces Of
Bahamas, Laguna and Samar is, in my
opinion, sowing seeds for a perpetual
revolution against US hereafter when
ever a good opportunity offers Under
present conditions, the political situa-
ton in this province is slowly retro
grading, and the American sentiment
is decreasing, and we are daily making
permanent enemies.
In the course above referred to,
troops make no distinction often be
tween the property of those natives
who are insurgents or insurgent sym
pathizers and the property Of those
who heretofore have risked their lives
by being loyal to the United States
and giving US information against
their countrymen in arms. Often every
house in a barriO is burned.
SIN my opinion, the small number
l of irreconcilable insurgents still il
arms, although admittedly difficult &c
catch, does not justify the means en-
ployed, especially when taking into
consideration the suffering that must
be undergone by the innocent and its
; effect on the relations with these PEG
pie hereafter.
"The work of the Philippine commits
sion and the laws that have been en-
acted by it, are everywhere favOrably
commented upon by the natives. The
efforts being made for the general
education of the people are apprecia
ted by all The provincial government
and the municipal governments estab
lished are slowly bringing order out OF
chaos and anarchy, and there begins
to be visible everywhere In this prov
ince progress and prosperity. True
loyalty and cOntentment can only
come under a benign civil government
'The attitude of the army. thereby
; meaning most of its officers and sol
diers, is, however, decidedly hostile tc
the provincial and municipal govern
ments in this province and to civil
government in these islands in gener
al In Manila especially it is intense
" so, even among the higher officers
The work Of the commission IN the
establishment of provincial govern
ments is ridiculed even in the presence
of natives. It is openly stated that the
army should remain In charge for the
next 20 years. Outrages committed by
officers and soldiers against natives in
an organized municipality and prov
ince, when reported by the presidente
or governor, to the military author.
tiles, are often not punished. This, in
! my opinion, is unfortunate, because
loyal natives begin to fear that local
self-gOvernment promised them viii
: not last long and that any slight dis
tUrbance in any province may at any
time be made a pretext to again place
it under military rule, and this is the
thing the insurgents at heart most de
sire.
at has been stated that a Filipino
or an Oriental does not appreciate just
or kind treatment and he considers 1t
! an evidence of Weakness and that Sc.