The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-16
War DeDartmeGt.
Washingto on, April ]

Washington, April Is, 1862.
My Dear Senator: 1 beg 20 acknowl-
edge the receipt of your copy of the
testimony of Sergeant Charles S. Riley
and Private William Lewis Smith, late
of the Twenty sixth Infantry, taken
before your committee yesterday.
close a copy of dispatch which has
been sent today to Maior-GenerGl
Chaffee, commanding the Division Of the
Philippines. Directions have been given
to the judge advocate general OF the
army to take proper steps in accord
ance with the dispatch.
The War Department will be glad to
receive the earlies. practicable informa-
tioI of any further evidence which may
be elected by the committee. tending
to fix responsibility upon any one in
the military service of the United States
for any violation of the laws of war or
of the regulations and orders governing
the operations of the army of the United
States in the field.
Very respectfully,
ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary Of War.
United States Senate.
Washington, d. C.
War Department. Washington.
Memorandum for the Adjutant- General:
Gable General Chaffee as fellows:
On February 19tf. a letter was sent
you, enclosing for investigation, copy of
ri nv 20 of
Tayahas province, which contained gen.
eral allegations of cruelties practiced
by troops on natives and generally of
an insolent and brutal attitude of the
army towards natives.
On April End a cable dispatch was
sent You urging action with all speed
consistent with thorough and searching
investigation.
On the 4th of March a cable dispatch
Was sent you directing disciplinary
measures to produce obedience to the
President instructions, subordinating
military officers 10 civil government in
pacihcd province and instructing you to
relieve Major Edwin f. Glenn and
Captain James A. Ryan from duty and
order them to Manila to await investi-
cation into their conduct. in accordance
with instructions to follow by mail.
On the 24th of March instructions
were mailed you containing statement
of charges against those officers and
General Jacob Fl. Smith as the basis of
the investigation ordered by the cable of
March 4th
Further instructions in both matters
are required by the following facts:
Press dispatches state that upon the
trial of Major Waller. of the Marine
Corps, testimony was given by Waller,
corroborated by other witnesses, that
General Jacob H.. Smith instructed him
to Kill and burn. that the more he
killed and burned the better pleased
General Smith would be; that it was no
time 10 take prisoners. and that when
Major Waller asked General Smith 10
define the age limit for killing, he re-
piled Everything over ten"
If such testimony was given and the
facts can be established, you will place
General Smith on trial by court marital.
Yesterday before the Senate Commit
tee on Philippines Sergeant Charles
S. Riley and Private William Lewis
Smith, of the Twenty sixth Volunteer In
fantry, testified that the form II torture
known as the 'water-cureg was admin
istered to the presidents of the town of
Igbarras, llcilo province, Island of Panay,
by detachment of Eighteenth United
States Infantry under command of Lieut.
Arthur L. Conger, under orders of Major
Edwin F. Glenn, then captain Twenty
fifth Infantry, and that Captain and AS
sistant Surgeon Palmer Lyon, at that time
contract surgeon, was present to as
sist them. The officers named, or such
OF them as are found to be responsible
for the act will be tried therefor by court
martial. Conger and Lyon are in ibis
country. Both the Twenty sixth Volun-
teer Infantry and Eighteenth Infantry
having returned to the United States and
most of the witnesses being nresump
lively here. the Secretary of War di-
reefs that Major E. f. Glenn. of the
Twenty fifth Infantry, be directed TO pro-
ceed to San Francisco and report to he
general commanding the Department of