The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-08
THE ORDERS OF BELL
ROOT ANSWERS RESOLUTION OF
 THE SENATE.
The Brigade Commander Announced His Decision to Execute Persons Who Deliberately Murdered
 United States Soldiers.

Washington, May 7-Secretary Root to- day submitted to the Senate an answer to the resolution of May calling Tor copies of any orders issued by Generai Bell reuative to recommendation in Ba- tangas and of the orders issued by Gen eral Smith. set up by the latter in his de- fense before the court martial.
 The Secretary submits two ordo's by General Belyl dated December 8 and 9 last In the first General Bell refers to the treachery of the natives to ther use of internal machines and to their cons, tant violation of all the rules of civilized warfare. Therefore. he declares, that he is reluctantly obliged to avail himself or the right of retaliation under the regu- lations and to deal severely with persons who commit the acts denuonnced an General Order 100. He says, Against but one of these fragrant violations of the laws of warfare, namely, murder, has the United States government ever ad- judged or excused the severe penalties authorizrd by tn sections of the law above cited in the vain hope that by the exercise of this forebearance and generos- ity the people might be pacihed and be- come reconciled to and convinced Of the benevolent purposes of the government.
 "Instead of having had the desired ef- feet however, this policy in the prov inces of Batang'as and La Gura; has ap- parentIy failed to appeal even the keen est and most appreciate inteilects. On the contrary, 1t has been interpreted by many 
 and puffed up by a childish and ignorant conceit over which they are pleased to consider successful resistance Of our power the people have become so ar rogant that they look down upon our government and scorn its kindliest ef- forts at pacitication. We consequently find ourselves operating in thoroughly occupied terrain. against the entire pop using, conniving it. oar tolerating bar barioils methods which almost reach the limit of encouraging the laws and usages of legitimate warfare.
 ''The brigade commander. therefore, announces for the information of all con- cerned that wherever prisoners or unarm- ed or defenseless Americans or natives friendly to the United States government are murdered or assassinated Tor politi- cal reasons and this fact can be estab- lished, it is his purpose to execute prfS- oner of war under the authority contain ed in Sections 59 and 1S"
 The Secretary explains that the order referred to was approved by Abraham Lincoln and that the orders mentioned in the resolution and in Bells order of De- cember 13 were in strict conformity with the letter and spirit of this famous order which he says was a contribution to civ iliza tion of great and recognized value.
 Another order transmitted Is one by Major Lloyd Wheaton. dated Manila, March 24 1902 upon the condition of the natives collected in the concentration camps, from which 1t appears that they were well fed. healthful and contented. General Wheaton expresses the belief that the camps can be broken up within sixty days. In anendorsement on this re- port General Chaffee justifies concentra- tion on account of the prolonged and des- perate resistance to the united states.
 Secretary Root says there Is no reason to doubt that the policy embodied in the above orders was at once the most efec- tive and humane which could possibly be followed, and declaring that so, indeed. has if proved. he submits copies of the telegrams announcing the surrender. of Maivar and the termination of organized resistance in the Northern Philippines.
 The Secretary denies knowledge of any order issued by Gencral Smith to Major Waller, such as was referred to in the court rt-martial. He declares that all of General Smiths written orders relative