The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-05
TESTIMONY BEFORE SENATORS
SOME OF WHOM Piled THE COVER
NOR WITH POINTED QUESTIONS.
Situation Reviewed at Length and
Various Phases Explained for
Benefit of Democrats.

6lNCh a WIOuS IMPRESSION Inv
part the army played in bringing the in
surrection to an end, but If so this was due
to the fact that he could not present a
correct impression Of the whole situation
from one point of view. Then. in order 20
give the army it's just dues, he took up and
analysed its work in the islands. He re-
called that as soon as General Otis had re-
ceived reinforcements sufficient for his
purpose the Filipino army had broken up
and scattered into guerrilla bands. On
this point Aguinaldo and Luna had diff
fered, Luna advocating the continuance Of
the war on the old lines. So sharp was
this difference, he said, that Aguinaldo had
directed and secured the assassination Of
Luna, thus leaving the way open for the
carrying out of his own plans. He would
not, he said, report the incident IL 1t had
not been positively reported to him by
General Funston. Aguinaldo said that if
he did not kill Luna, una would kill him.
Indeed, the custom was 70 order a mans
death in his absence and nave him killed
upon his return. The presence of these
guerrilla bands rendered it necessary to
place garrisons there, there being at one
time as many as five hundred of them.
This rendered the work before the army
very arduous. and the activity, the skill
and the bravery of the American troops
were such as to render the enemy tired Of
the warfare.
EFFECT OF MKINLEY'S ELECTION.
Governor Taft also spoke OF the past ac-
tivity of the rebels and the terrorism that
prevailed. 1.-THE condition of activity contin-
ued until the last presidential election in the
United States" said the Governor. THE in
surgents believed that if Bryan should be
elected there would be a change Of policy
and the islands surrendered. placing those
who were in Instruction in charge; but
when Mckinley was elected there was a
feeling that there would be an indefinite
retention of the archipelago and that the
system then in force would be continued"
Discussing the effects of the guerrilla
warfare, Governor Taft said it often re-
suited in the murder of the Fflipinos them
selves. 81 venture to say that there is not
a Filipino general or commanding officer
who could not be convicted of RESPONSE
bility for the killing Of their own people"
This led him to speak of the traits of the
Filipinos, one of which, he said, is cruelty.
He had been told by American officers Of
many instances of mutilation of the
corpSes of our soldiers. This being true. it
was not surprising there had been some
retaliation on the part of small bands of
American soldiers. He had heard of no
charge of mutilation, but there probably
were some cases of unnecessary killing;
some cases of whipping and some cases of
what is called the water cure" this meth
90 of punishment consisting of pouring
water down the threats of men until they
would swell up, and. becoming frightened,
instance, where guns could be secured. In
this connection he called attention to the
orders of General Macarthur as to these
practices, which were, he said. very strict.
IF these infractions of propriety had oc-
Cured he was sure they had been I'm the
face of direct orders to the contrary.
SOME CASES OF RETALIATION.
In response to a question by Senator
Patterson as to the practices of the Maca-
bebes, Governor Taft warned the commit
tee and others against accepting without
a great degree of allowance the statements
made in private letters. He considered
most of these as unreliable. Judging from
what he had seen of 1t, it was impossible
to prevent retaliation by private soldiers
under all circumstances AS a rule, the
witness said, American prisoners were
treated we'll by the Ftlipinos. This, so far
as he knew, was uniformly true of the
Filipino officers who were higher in COM
mand. There were some cases to the con-
trary on the part of the subordinate Fill
pino officers. He had not. he said in reply
TO a question from Senator Culberson.
known anything of the reports of the kill
ing CT Filipino prisoners with the knowl-
edge of General Metcalf. of Kansas.
Governor Taft said that. Notwithstanding
he was not in an attitude of favor to mill
tary rule. it was still his deliberate judg-
ment that never had a war been conducted
in which more compassion, more restraint
than in connection with the American wal
IN the Philippines
In this connection Senator Culberson
made inquiry concerning the effect of the
policy of concentration in the Philippines
Replying. Governor Taft said that General
Bells order for concentration had been
published since his departure from Ma
Mia. He, however, had talked with Gen
eral Bell on that point and had told him
that he did not consider such an order
necessary, because he was of opinion that
a proper degree OF pressure brought to bear
on the wealthy men of Batangas would
have the effect of causing the province to
yield without making a sweeping order OF
concentration.
CRIME AGAINST CIVILIZATION.
After reading a part of General Bell's
order. Senator Culberson asked If he still
entertained the same opinions previously
expressed as to the military policy in the
Philippines. To this Governor Taft re.
piled: THE war has been all over these
islands and that which remains is a crime
against civilization. 1t is also a crime
against the Filipino people to keep up q
state OF war under the circumstances
They have worn out the right TO any treat
ment but that which is severe and within
the laws of war"
This statement led Senate Patterson &c
ask whether the witness did not consider
that even a small number of people whC
were wagipg a war for independence dc
not deserve consideration at the hands OF
the American army. In response Governor
Taft said that the great majority of the
people of the islands desire peace and tina
the insurrectionists by their acts were pre-
venting the mass of the people from set
Ting down and earning a quiet living. In
stead OF being allowed 10 do this they wer,
kept under a system of terrorism, which
should be stopped.
Democratic members Of the committe,
read a statement from General Macarthur
and others expressing opinions that tn,
hostility of the Filipinos TO American in
situations is due TO innate differences anC
is general. but Governor Taft replied tina
he had approached the question at ISSUE
from a different standpoint from these
authorities. and said that most or his con
clusions were drawn from contact With th'
Ftlipinos themselves.
In conclusion Governor Taft was ques
TONED concerning the acts OF the Philip
pine commission for the punishment o.
treason. but he expressed a desire 10 post
pone discussion of this matter TO a time
When more attention could be given IL. ~
mad not, he said. been present when TN