Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-10
Looting Was Absolutely Pro-
hibited in Philippines.
NO ORDERS TO MURDER
Much Talked About Report of Civil
Governor of Filipino Province is
Laid Before Committee and Facts in
Case Are Made Public.

washington, April 10.-When the
senate committee on the Philippines
met today Chairman Lodge laid be-
fore the committee the report of Ma
jor Cornelius Gardner, civil governor
of the Philippine province of Tayabas,
to which reference was made by Gen
Miles in his correspondence with Sec
retary Root. This report had been
withheld and caused the adoption of
resolution at the last meeting of the
committee requesting the secretary of
war to send the report to the commit
tee.
The Report.
The report is dated December 16,
1901. 1t is largely review of the
conditions in the province and tells
what has been done in the way of a
campaign against insurgents.
No Looting.
In the course of the report the gov
ernor says: "a vigorous campaign
was at once organized against the in
surgents in arms with troops acting
under positive orders to shoot no un-
armed natives and to burn no houses
except barracks. Looting was prohib-
| tied under the strictest penalties.
Company and other commanders were
ordered to pay for everything taken
for necessity or bought from the ma
tives.'
! Fight Fire With Fire.
The governor in lengthy detail tells
about what has been done and then
recommends that the operations
against the insurgents should be by a
force of natives.
Concentrate Troops.
In another recommendation he
says: AS civil governor, l feel it is
my duty to say that it is my firm con,
viction the United States troops
should at the earliest opportunity be
concentrated in one or two garrisons
if it is thought desirable the good sen,
timent and loyalty that formerly ex
listed for the United States among the
people of this province should be
conserved and encouraged.
Knows They Were Friends.
Being in close touch with the peo
pie, having visited all the pueblcs one
or two times and having lived with
them in their homes, | know that such
sentiment once existed.
Changed Now.
"Of late, by reason of the conduct
of the troops, such an extensive burn
| ing of barrios in trying to lay waste
the country so the insurgents cannot
occupy it, torturing the natives by the
so-called water cure and other meth
DDS in, order to obtain information
harsh treatment of natives generally;
failure of inexperienced and lately ap-
pointed lieutenants commanding posts
to distinguish between those who are
! friendly and those unfriendly, and to
threat every native as if he were
/ whether or not, an insurrecto at heart
this favorable sentiment above refer
red to, is being fast destroyed anC
deep hatred toward the United States
engendered.
Advocates Use of Natives.
''If these things need be done, they
had best be done by native troops, sc
the people of the United States will
not be credited Herewith"
Exhibits to Report.
With the report is copy of letter
by General Corbin to General Chaffet
dated February 10, saying he encloses
the report of Gardner and that there
should be complete investigation
There also is a cable message dated
April 2 in which Chaffee is directed tt
make an investigation with all con
sistent speed.
! General Macarthur was again wit
mess before the committee today.