The Washington times., 1902-07-06
Secretary of War Reviews
Report of Colonel
CroWder.
ABUSES WERE PREVENTABLE
Holds That Filipino Prisoners Were
Subjected to Cruel Treatment-Evi-
dence Acquits Officer of Completely
Personally Exhibited Kindness.

The War Department has received and
considered the report of Colonel Grow
der. in the matter OF charges preferred
by eX- Private W-ir against First Lieut..
Frederick T. Arnrlc. Fourth United
States Cavalry, 4le'irg cruel treatment
OF prisoners OF wal occurring within his
command while serving in the Philip
pines. Secretary Roots action is shown
in the following extract from an official
letter to the commanding general. De-
partment OF the Missouri:
The Secretary OF War. while con-
curing in the conclusion expressed by
the inspector that the evidence acquits
you Of direct knowledge of or the COM
plicity in the iniiiction OF punishments
shown to have been practiced BY mem
bers of your command. is of the opinion
that these abuses were preventable and
could scarcely have occurred had you
exercised that high degree of vigilance
which was imperatively demanded by
She unusual conditions under which your
command was operating.
Many Duties to Perform.
THAT your failure to do this is only
excused by tho numerous and exacting
civil duties imposed upon you. and Justly
exposes you to official censure for duty.
the direct result of which has been that.
because of the few instances OF cruel
treatment OF prisoners which were of
undoubted occurrence within your com
Dand. the military service generally has
incurred unjust criticism.
That such neglect has not been made
the subject of charges is due to the con-
sideration above noted, and to the fur
ther fact shown in the evidence that in
your personal and official relation witt.
the natives you uniformly exhibited
kindness and consideration for them, and
worked asslduously and with excellent
results for the betterment of conditions
among them, particularly In the esta5
lishment OF municipal government and
in the maintenance OF public schools.
I'm this connection. and as further in
fuencing the action taken. the Secretary
OF War is pleased to recognize the spe-
cial commendation for gallantry in ac-
lion eslcnucu you DS your TcBllueHtdl
and division commanders"
The evidence taken in the course Of
the investigation shows that the punish
ment. charged by Private Weir. of the
native prisoner at Pasay, was adninis- |
tered by three native policemen of the |
town OF Pasay. directed and assisted by |
SerGt. James c. Edwards, Troop II. |
Fourth United States Cavalry, in the |
quarters CT the detachment commanded |
by Lieutenant Arnold. and was Witness |
ed by several nOn-commissioned officers /
and Vrivates OF the detachment, six of |
whom testify in substantial corrobora-
tion OF the more material allegations |
preferred by Weir. but state that no
serious injury resulted from this pun
ishment.
II appears that with the exception of |
Edwards none of these men
had anything to do with the admiEistra
tion of the punishment. all except him .
being there as spectators.
Private Weir's allegations OF severe
resorted 20 by members OF
Lieutenant Arnold's command at Calaca,
Luzon. were stated by him upon hearsGy
evidence. he disclaiming all direct |
as to these punishments.