The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-04

Manila. May d-The triAi oy cOSS martial of General Jacob H. Smith ended today, The finding of the court will bs forwarded to Washington.
 The general impression here is that he will be acquitted as it is not believed anything has been proven against him contrary to general order No. 100.
 .srhe closing address of Colonel Charles A. Woodruff for the defense was re- markabie oratorical efforts that drew tears from his hearers. He dramatically sketched General smith's character and declared he had conducted remarkable and successful campaign in a manner which reflected credit on his vaior. humanity and kindness.
 Speaking in impassioned tones, Colonel Woodruff said in older timos. victorious generals tied captives to their chariots. In this case the general finds himself tied. Sentiment was an excellent thing. but there was no place for 1t in war.
 A Humane Campaign.
 "we claim" continued the Colonel, that the Samar campaign. just brought to successful termination. while pushed actively. vigorously and energeticaly. was ever conducted within the limits of war. EDuring the last few months it has seemed popular to critices the army in the Philippines People seem to have forgotten its magnificent services for Americas honor and glory. We have been worthy members of the army whose bayonet never flashed except in tho de- fensc of the law and whose tramp has carried comfort to those in danger. Yet today we are apparently disgraced. Why? cannot imagine that people at home expect to gain glory and political ad- vancement by abusing the army. 1t was tried after the Mexican war. It was tried after the Civil War, with the result that Grant the butcher was elected Presi- dent and died loved and henored by every American.
 while the campaign in the Philippines have not been conducted to meet the views of sentimentalists and troublesome busy bodies iu the United States they have been conducted on lines which have reflected credit on the valor. pluck. hut manity and ldndnes of American soldiers, many of whom have freely laid down their lives on their country's altar"
 Strenuousness Was Necessary.
 Colonel Woodruff. during his address. reviewed the evidence at length: showing the necessity for making Samar a wilder ness and comparing the campaign in that island with the .'strenuous march to the sea whose route was marked by a cloud of smoke by day and by a pillar of fire by night"
 The Colonel said 1t had been proved by the evidence that native boys eight years of age were capable of yielding bolos. He cited numerous instances of military law. Roman. English and Ameri- can In behalf of the defense and portray ed General Smiths entire military career. describing his wounds, heroism and devo- tion to duty.
 Colonel Woodruff also quoted Governor Taft's speech at Dagupan, eulogizing General Smith and added:
 How, after wearing for forty-one years the uniform of the United States with honor to himself and to the benefit of the government at the close of remarkably successful campaign in which he accom- plished what Spain was unable to do in two hundred years. while returning. as his friends thought, covered with glory. he was halted and called upon to face charges growing out of the language used