The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-17

bearers or guides Of one of his expedi-
uons, to be put TO death for treachery,
without proper trial; and he defended his
action not on the ground Of any orders re-
ceived from General Smith but on the
ground that as a commanding officer he
was justified
ders. and the actual conduct of military
operations in Samar. were justified by the
history and conditions of the warfare with
the cruel and treacherous saVages who in
habited the island, and their entire disre-
gard OF the laws of war: were wholly with
In the limitations of general order No. 100
or l6b3. and were sustained by precedents
OF the highest authority. Thus, in l719.
Washington ordered General Sullivan, in
the campaign against the Six Nations, 10
seek the total destruction and devastation
or their settlements He wrote. But you
VIII not, by any means, listen 10 over
lures OF peace before the total ruin of
their settlements is effected. Our
future security will be in their inability
TO injure US, the distance 10 which they arc
driven, and in the terror with which severi-
" of the chastisement they receive will
inspire them
THE BALANGIGA MASSACRE.
THE Fort Phil Kesrney massacre in 1866.
for base treachery, revolving cruelty and
the conditions OF serious danger which
followed it did not approach the massacre
af Balangiga. in Samar. in September.
1901. There the natives had been treated
self-government had been given them.
Captain Connell. the American commander,
of the same faith and had been
worshiping in the same church with them.
With all the assurance of friendship our
men were seated at their meal unarmed
among an apparently peaceful and friendly
community when they were set upon from
behind and butchered, and their bodies
when found by their comrades the next
day. had been mutilated and treated with
indescribabl bic indignities. Yet there was
no such severity by American soldiers in
Samar as General Sherman proposed to-
wards the Sioux after Fort Phil Kearney.
1t is due, however, to the good sense
and self-restraint of General Smiths sub
ordinates and their regard for the laws
or war, rather than TO his own self-control
and judgment that his imperative and un-
justifiable verbal instructions were not
followed. and that he is relieved from the
indelible stain which would have resulted
from a literal compliance with them.
1T is the duty of a general officer whose
age and experience have brought him TO
high command not TO lncite his subordi-
mates to acts of lawless violence, but to
so explain TO them the application of the
laws Of war and the limitations on their
conduct as to prevent tranSgreSsions upon
their part and supplement their compare
tive inexperience by his wise control. In
this. General Smith has signally failed
and for this he has been justly convicted.
Although the sentence imposed is exceed
Il
nation which, for an officer of his rank
and age, is really a severe punishment.
For this reason and for the further reason
that General Smith has served his country
| long and faithfully, has exhibited high
courage and good conduct in many battles.
has been severely wounded in the civil
and in the war with Spain, and is about
concluding a long and honorable career
a faithful and loyal servant of his
country, 1 recommend that the mild SEN
tence imposed be confirmed.
"ShOuld the findings and
| sentence of the court in accordance with
this recommendation, / feel bound to say
| further that In view of the findings and
| sentence, and of the evident inf1rmitieS
which have made it possible that the facts
! found should exist. it is no longer for the
| interest of the service that General Smith
should continue to exercise the command
| of his rank. His usefulness, an eX-
ample. guide and controlling influence for
| the junior officers of the army is at an
| end; and as he is already upwards of
sixty-two years of age, / recommend that
| you exercise the discretion vested In you
| by law and now retire him from active
| service.
"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War"