The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-06
Was Charged With Cruel treat
ment to Filipino Prisoners
During His Service in the
Philippines.
Secretary of War; While Ac-
quitting Lieut.. Arnold, Says
He Believes Cruelty Could
Have Been Prevented.

Washington, July 5.-The War Depart
ment today gave out the results of the
inquiry made by Colonel Crowder into the
case of Lieut. Frederick 7. Arnold of the
Fourth Cavalry, acquitting him of direct
knowledge of or completely IN the ill
treatment of Filipinos by United States
soldiers.
This is the case referred to by Senator
.Culberson on the floor of the Senate
some time ago. A--e case grew out of
charges made by ex-Private Weir against
lieutenant Arnold, alleging cruel treat
naent of prisoners of war occurring with
in his command while serving in the
f philippines. 1t was understood that Gem
eral Miles had recommended to Secretary
Root that the charges were of a charac-
ter to justify courtmartial.
The action of the War Department is
embodied in the following extract from a
letter to Lieutenant Arnold through the
Department of Missouri:
Secretary Root to Comment.
THE Secretary of War. while concur
ring in the conclusion expressed by the
inspector that the evidence acquits you
of direct knowledge of or completely in
the infliction of punishment shown to
have been practiced by members of your
command, is of opinion that these abuses
were preventable and could scarcely
have occurred had you exercised the
high degree of vigilance which was inn
peratively demanded by the unusual con-
ditions under which your command was
operating, that your failure to do this is
only measurably excused by the numer-
Gus anc exacting civil duties imposed
upon you, and justly exposes you to Off
cial censure for neglect of duty, the di-
rect result of which mas been that ;
cause of the few Instances Of cruel treat
Inent of prisoners which were Of In-
doubted occurrence within your COM
mand. the military service in general has
incurred unjust criticism.
That such neglect has not been made
the subject of charges, is due to the
considerations above noted and to the
further fact showing evidence that in our
personal and official relations with the
natives you uniformly exhibited kind
ness and consideration for them and
worked arduously and with excellent re-
suits for the betterment of conditions
among them, particularly in the estab-
lishment of municipal government and
in the maintenance of public schools. In
this connection and as further influence
ing the action taken, the Secretary of
War Is pleased to recognize the special
commendation for gallantry in action ex-
tended you by your regimental and divi-
sion commanders"
Additional Statement.
The War Department also furnishes the
following statement of the facts develop
ed
'.The evidence taken In the course of
the investigation shows that the punish
ment charged by Private Weir of the
native prisoners at Panay- was adminis-
tered by three native policemen of the
town of Paney, directly and assisted by
Sergeant James C. Edwards, Troop H,
Fourth United States cavalry In the quar-
ters of the detachment commanded by
Lieut. Arnold and was witnessed by sew
eral on-commissioned officers and priv
ates of the detachment six of whom
testify in substantial corroboration of
the more general allegations preferred
by Weir, but state that no serious injury
result from this punishment. 1t appears
that with the exception of Sergeant Ed
wards none of these men had anything
to do with the administration of the
punishment; all except him being there
as spectators.
Private Weirs allegations of severe
punishment resorted to by members of
Lieutenant Arnold's command at Calca-
Luzon, were stated by him upon hearsay
evidence he disclaiming all direct knowl-
edge as to this punishment The evil
dence completely refutes the charges but
does establish the fact that punishment
of a lesser degree of cruelty, but wholly
unjustifable were secretly inflicted by
Sergeant Edwards and the native scouts
In the quarters separately occupied by
them at Calca and behind closed doors.
'The evidence of guilt against Sergeant
Edwards and of the native scouts, who,
under his direction, administered In great
er part all the punishment above referred
to, is reported as conclusive by Colonel
Crowder, who expresses the view that
their trial. therefore, If not possible, would
probably be followed by conviction and
severe punishment. He also reports such
action in the case of Sergeant Edwards
can be had for the reason that upon
publication in the daily press of the fact
that such charges had been made against
him and that an investigation had been
instituted and preliminary action looking
to his trial ordered by the Secretary of
War, he deserted the service January 20
at San Francisco, Cal, and has not since
been apprehended"