Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-05-01
GAVE HIS REPORT.
Gen. Miles Treats of Affairs in
the Philippines.
some Inhuman Atrocities Were Per
petrnted by Soldicrs-Evidcnces
of Hostility Toward Amer
leans Mt n Number
of Places.

Washington, April 2S.-The ex-
tended report of Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A.
Miles concerning his observations in
the Philippines was made public yes
terday by the war department. 1t
covers all features of his trip through
the islands, together with his recon-
mendations.
The more important observations
and recommendations of Gen. Miles
are as follows:
The general condition of the troops
of the archipelago was creditable to
themselves and to the country. The
officers and soldiers made a good ap-
pearance.
THE effect of the climate is most
serious detriment to the service. The
men go there in perfect health and in
the prime of manhood, but as body
are seriously affected in the course of
two or three years service. Very few
escape. The majority are debilitated.
LAS the military stations, with but
few exceptions, are very remote, and
the troops are required to be in COM
munities that are neither beneficial
nor congenial to them, the service is
uSpl dHu, W SOIue eAltHl, HAS
| a demoralizing effect. There are
scarcely any amusements or recrea-
tions for the soldiers, and life under
such circumstances becomes very mo-
| notonous. During my visits to the
garrisons it so happened that l did not
see single soldier under the influence
Of liquor.
"As the result of my observations 1t
is my judgment that the discontinue
ance of the liquor feature of the can
teen has been beneficial to the army.
"The number of troops that will be
required 10 occupy the Philippine is
| lands is still problematical. While it
| is claimed that the people are pacified,
| evidences of hostility toward Ameri-
can sovereignty are apparent. The
newspapers published in both Spanish
and English contain almost daily ac-
| counts of hostilities. depredations and
| disturbances of the peace. Against
| these armed bands the civil govern
ment is employing the constabulary. a
| force of about 5000 men.
There is quite as much if not more
need for cavalry in the Philippines
| than in the United States, and as some
| of the cavalry regiments never have
advisable that they should share their
proportion of the duties in that coun-
| try.
81 found large proportion of the
troops occupying church property.
monasteries, colleges and converts.
This l believe TO be entirely wrong.
While at Lipa party of citizens met
him and stated that they desired to
make complaint of harsh treatment of
the people of that community saying
they had been concentrated in towns
and had suffered great indignities,
that Is of their people had been tor
tured by the water torture and that
one man, highly respected citizen
aged 65 years, named Vincente Luna,
while suffering from the effects of the
torture was dragged from his house
which had been set on fire and was
burned to death. They stated that
these atrocities were committed by a
company of scouts under command OF
Lieut. Hennessy, and that their peo-
pie had been crowded into towns, 60C
being confined in one building. A
doctor of the party said he was ready
to testify that some of the 900 died
from suffocation. Gen. Miles gave nu'
| merous other instances of cruelty.