Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-07-30
Sjial Castle s Dtland.

| course Of military operations ia the
Philippine islands.
~lhe duty thus imposed, states
the committee. has since taxed our
ambition and, in the performance
thereof. we have investigated many
cases of alleged outrage. besides otii
erwise informing ourselves in relation
thereto.
The committee expresses gratlflca-
tion at the verdict in the court-martlal
of Gen. J. H. Smith, and continuing
says:
Every severity known to state OF
war-practices which have excited
the special reprobation of the Amerl-
can people when reported as features
of the hostilities under Spanish re-
gime. or in South Africa during the
Boer war-have been of undlsputed
and frequent occurrence in the Phil
ippines
s"From the early beginning of oper-
ations there, it has been the general
practice. if not actually the order, to
Kill those wounded inconfict. In this
matter. the depth of the general de-
moralizatiOn reached can best be
studied in the statement of an officer
high in command when confronted
with statistics, undeniably showing
that the killing of the enemy in all
engagements with us largely outnum-
bered the wounded and the prisoners
combined that this unprecedented re-
sult-adlmitting OF but one condition.
was due to the fact that our soldiers
were so trained as marksmen, that
they almost invariably struck vital
points.
Moreover, the Filipinos, even in
panic or flight. made a practice of car
rying off thehir wounded with them
Such evidence grayely given is not
only proven conclusive of utter mill
tary decentralization, but we submit, it
is with difficulty distinguished from
what is usually known as audacious
The allegations we make are
grave: the conditions of affairs we
describe serious. AS national rec
ord it is discreditable. The good
name of the country is implicated; as
also is the professional character of
officers of the army; some OF them
many still in nigh command.
That We ourselves are responsible
persons. needs scarcely 20 be alleged
much less proven.
we stand ready to cooperate di-
leetly IL utmost good faith. in the
lile OF Secretary Roots order Of April
10. 30 the end that ali offenders may
k brought 10 Justice. and the guilty
punished Careful examination Of
The law has satisfied IS that no pro
possible fer rs c initiate WoNd
elicit further facts or suffice to bring
ruIpTits 80 aeeouHt Ia tits commit
ate&tton We have made references,
I've personal application CT which is
5]34ioes. and C record To those thus
referred 10 courts Of military inquiry
ere oDen. and il demanded would
doubtless he by YOU al CAGE accorded.
Before such courts, if once convened,
we will hold ourselves prepared to
advanced.
5ubsta1tiate any or all charges here
We hold ourselves ready to direct
your attention 10 concrete cases, the
of which would demon
strate the following criminal acts. con
.rary to all recognized rules and us
ages Of war on the part Of officers and
soldiers Of the Uuited States:
Kidnapping and murder under cir
of aggravated brutality.
Robbery.
Torture, beth of men and women.
assault OF the latter
The infiction of death on other
parties. on the strength of evidence
elicited from others through torture.
There is no tribunal before which
hose cases can be brought for judic-
al inquiry. Nevertheless. until such
tribunal exists and is in operation,
your orderof April l5, that all Offend
ers shall summarily be brought to JUS
ice and the guilty punished. is not eff
rfectiye: for much. we have reason
20 assert. and stand to prove, has 1een
and still remains. concealed. while
many wrongdoers. for various 'reas-
0ns' have been and still are favored
" shielded