The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-28

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Washington. April 27.-In reply to the
charge Of anti-imperialists that he dared
not show TO the world the allegations of crI-
city 10 F1lipinos made by Lieutenant Cen
eral Miles, Secretary Root to-day caused
/ the publication Of General Miles's Philip
| pine inspection report
| Because 1t Is General 3Iiles's confirmation
| OF the atrocities. # is regarded as an effec-
\ tive supply OF ammunition for anti-impsrt-
alists
The War Department. however. feels that
fits prosecution by court-martial Of the wa
| ter-cure practice and other cruelties will
Withstand renewed criticism
General Miles spent more than a month
| in the archipelago and inspected nearly
| every post. The opinion OF most army Of
| ficerS here is that while General Miles's
| assertions Of cruelty are well grounded they
bear mostly on cases which occurred before
the administration vigorously investigated
the water cure and kindred outrages over
year ago.
General Mles's report. II IS said, IS a
modified expression OF his thoughts. Poll
ticians here. well army officers. are
Wondering II. after his retirement, when
he viii be less restricted in his utterances
than now. he will not become a more fire.
quent assistant of the anti-imperialists.
AROUSES INTEREST.
While the charges OF cruelty have caused
the Ereast comment here. General Miless
statement that the Philippines are no bet
ter defended now than FIVE years ago: his
urgent Recommendation for establishment
OF a naval station at Olongapo: his predic-
Al
short time on account Of the drought and
disease among domestic animals. have also
attracted great attention.
Secretary Root, when General Miles rem
dered his report. sent various portions Of IL
to bureau chiefs OF the War Department
for comment
General Weston sharply criticised General
Miles's recommendation for the substitu-
ton Of beef on the hoof for refrigerated
meat. and Surgeon General Riley stated
that there was nothing serious TO be feared
from the berf-beri. which afflicted some OF
the troops
II is understood that a reply has been
received from General Hughes who was
commanding in the Philippines and is one
OF the officers to whom General Miles
fers in his report 1t was not made public
al the War Department, and little regard
ing IT could be learned. General Miles. how
ever. who had been furnished copies of the
replies OF the different bureau ofi1cers, sent
a.s each a note OF few lines stating that re
plies 10 his comments on the affairs OF the
philippines were all OF 4 gentlemanly char
acter. save that OF General Hughes
TIE more important observations and
recommendations of General Miles are as
follows:
''The general condition of the troops in
the archipelago was creditabla TO them
selves and 70 the country. The officers and
soldlcrs made good appearance
CLIMATE HURTFUL
The effect OF the climate is most seri-
Gus detriment to the seryice The men go
there in perfect heaitn and in the prime of
manhood. but as body are seriously at-
fected In the course OF two or three years
service s, Very ~ escape. The majority
'.As the military stations. with but few
are required to, besin communities that are
neither beneficial nor congeniai to them, me
has a demon slIzing eject. There are scarce
Is any amusements or srecreations for. the
soldiers and life under such circumstances
becomes very morotonous- During my vis-
its to the garrisons il so happened that L
did not see a single soldier under the infiu-
ence Of liquor. The following statement
IL stations in the Philippine Islands. being
all bus nineteen remote stations. on Novem-
Der "a. 1902:
"As the result OF my observations. II is
my Judgment that the discontinuance OF the
louor feature Of the canteen has been bene-
been removed from the Immediate presence
of the young men of the army, they are less
likely TO indulge in the use of liquor.
HOSTILITY SHOWN.
The number OF troops that will be re-
quired to occupy the Philippine Islands is
still problematical. While it IL claimed
that the people are pacifed evidences of
hostility toward American sovereignty are
apparent. The newspapers published both
in Spanish and English contain almost daily.
turbance OF the peace Against these armed
bands the Civil Government In employing
the constabulary, force of about 5000 men !
In my judgment the heavy artillery
troops now in the Philippine Islands should
be withdrawn without delay, as there. Is
no legitimate use for them in the archi-
There is quite as much. II not more.
need for cavalry in the Philippine Islands
than in the United States. and as sorneiof
the cayalry- regiments never have served
in the Philippines. think IL advisable that
they should share their proportion of the
duties in that country -. - 4
Il found a large proportion Of the troops
occupying church property. monasteries.
colleges and converts. This 1 believe to
tinued without delay. 1t is serious detri-
ment to the property, and while ii may pre-
vent destruction by fire to some extent.
vet the damage done to the buildings will
be extensive and It will simply result in
claims for some millions OF dollars being
brought against the United States which
undoubtedly will have to be paid"
General Miles renews a Recommendation.
made prior to his visit to the Philippines,
that at least one strategic position be for
tilted beyond the possibility Of capture by
any foreign fleet. OF the condition gem
orally, he says:
I'm my journeys through the archipelago
assisting the people to obtain a food sup