Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-04-28
OFFICERS ARE CRITICISED
REPORT OF GENERAL MILES on
AFFAIRS IN PHILIPPINES
MADE PUBLIC.
MANY ATROCITIES CHARGED

Recltes . Number Of Instances Of
Cruelty and Torture and elames
Commanding Officers for Allowing
Such Acts-Declares That General
Beips Concentration Order Was in
Direct Violation Of Law.
Washington, April 2S.-The war de-
partment has made public a portion
of the report of General Miles on the
condition Of posts and soldiers in the
Philippines Secretary Root has had
several requests for this report, but
has held that such reports were con-
fidental in order that the person max
ing them might be free to make such
comments as he deemed fit, but as it
was learned that General Miles had
no objection to the publication of the
report it has been made public, with
a brief comment by General Davis,
deputy adjutant general, who had
charge of several of the subjects re-
ferred to in portions of the report. The
statements made by General Miles
are the result of his tour of inspection
in the Philippines last autumn and
winter.
General Miles report is dated Feb.
IS, 1903. He says that in going from
Calamba to Batangas in November
last he noted that the country ap-
peared devastated and that the people
al Lipa he says a party of citizens
headed by the acting presidente met
him and stated that they desired to
make
Complaint of Harsh Treatment
of the people of that community, say
ing they had been concentrated in
towns and had suffered great indigni-
ties; that $50 of their people had been
tortured by what is known as the
water cure and that one man, high
ly respected citizen, aged sixty-five
years, named Vicinte Luna, while suf-
fering from the effects Of the torture
and unconscious, was dragged from
his house. which had been set on fire.
and was burned to death. They stated
that atrocities were committed by the
troops under command of Lieutenant
Hennessey and that their people had
been crowded into towns six hundred
being confined in one building. One
party said he was ready to testify that
500 died from suffocation. General
Miles said he looked at the building
which was one story in height, Is OF
30 feet wide and possibly 60 or 20 feet
long. He asked for a written state
ment to be forwarded him at Manila
but says he never received it, and
says:
II have no reason to diSbelieve
their statement, in fact. the instances
of torture in the case of the man
Luna having been
Tortured and Burned to Death
are confirmed by other reports
Concerning the failure to receive
the statement General Miles says:
Whether any influence was brought
to bear to prevent their statement
either by persuasion or coercion,
am not prepared to say at the present
time"
General Miles refers to other cases
saying that on the island of Cebu II
was reported and published in Novem
ber 1902. that two officers Captain
Samuels, Forty-fourth infantry. U. 5
", and Lieutenant Feeler. Nineteenth
ties against the people of the island
1t was also reported that at Lo. isl
and Of Luzon. two natives were
whipped to death. At Tasoban, Leyte
it was reported that Major Tenney
ordered lieutenant of the Philippine
scouts to take eight prisoners out into
the country and that If they did not
guide them to the camp of the insur
gent, QuiZO, he was not to bring then
back It was stated that the mel
were taken out and that they either
died or did as they were directed
The scouts were separated into com
panies numbering three or four re
spectively and while tied together
were murdered by being
Shot or eayonetted to Death,
some being in a kneeling position a
that time. The pretense was made
that they were killed while attempt
ing to escape. but SO far as | know NJ
report was ever made. This was re
ported to Major Watts. who investi
gated the case. Beside Lieutenan
Caulheld, Philippine Scouts Preston
Conger and Keene were implicated
At Calbayog. Samar. it was reported
that several men in that district ha'
been subjected to the water cure. On
OF these was the presidente. VIII
showed me deep scar which he SAT-
was caused by the cords cutting int
his flesh. Three other men were tor
tured one of whom said he was sui
jected to torture by troops under Ma
jor Gaugot, Tenth cavalry; that hi
front tooth was knocked out, whicl
was apparent; that he was otherwis
maltreated and robbed OF $500.
was stated these men were taken ou
to be killed and were only saved b
the prompt action of Major Caring
ton. First infantry. who sent out fo
them. Gaugot was tried. found guilt