Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-06
MILES MAKES REPORT
CHARGES ARMY MISCONDUCT
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
instances of Alleged Torture aud
Murder In varions Portions of the
ArchipeIago-oH Among the Ac-
cused-cites Many Instances.

Murder In Narions Portions of the
Archipeiago-0f6 officers Among the Ac.
cused-Cites Many Instances.
The War Department has made pub
lie the report of Gen. Miles on his Phil
ippine tour, in which he refers to mis-
conduct of officers and soldiers in the
Philippines. The statements made by
Gen. Miles are the result of his tour of
inspection in the Philippines during the
winter.
The report is dated Feb. 10, 1908, and
is addressed to the Secretary of War
He says that in going from Calamba to
Batangas in November last he noticed
that the country appeared devastated
and that the people were much depress-
ed Stopping at the Lipa, he says a
party of citizens headed by the acting
president met him and stated that they
desired TO make complaint Of harsh treat
ment of the people of that community.
saying that they had been concentrated
in town and had suffered great iDdigni-
ties. that fifteen of their people had
been tortured by what is known as the
water cure, and that one man, a highly
respected citizen, aged 10 years, named
Vincente Luna, while suffering from the
effects of the torture and unconscious,
was dragged from his home, which had
been set on fire, and was burned to
death" They stated that these afro
cities were committed by a company of
scouts under command of Lieut.. Hennes-
sey. and that their people had been
crowded into towns, 600 being confined in
one building.
Die from Suffocation
A doctor Of the party said he was
ready to testify that some Of the 600
died from suffocation. Gen. Miles says
he looked at the building, which was
one story in height. eighteen or twenty
feet wide and possibly sixty or seventy
feet long. He asked for written state
ment to be forwarded him at Manila. but
says he never received it. and adds: Il
have no reason to disbelieve their state
ments; in fact, the case of the man Luna
having been tortured and burned TO death
is confirmed by other reports. Concern
ing the failure to receive the statement
Gen. Miles says: Whether any influence
was brought TO bear TO prevent their
statement, by persuasion or coercion, /
am not prepared 10 say at the present
time"
Cen Miles then refers to other cases,
saying that on the island of Cebu it was
reported and published in November,
1902, that two officers, Capt Samuels,
FOrty-fourth infantry, United States vol
unteers, and Lieut.. Feeter. Nineteenth in
fantry. had committed similar atrocities
against the people of that island. 1t is
al I'D hat aH ka fsiar
of Luzon. two natives were whipped to
death. At Taealoban. Leyte, il was -e-
ported that Major Glenn ordered Lieut.
Caalheld. Philippine scouts, to take eight
prisoners out into the country and that if
they did not guide him to the camp of the
insurgent Quison he was not to bring
them back. 1t was stated that the men
were taken out and that they either did
not or could not do as directed.
Shot or Rayoneted.
zone of the men, who had son among
the scouts, was spared, but the others
were separated into two parties, num-
bering three or four. respectively, and
while tied together were all murdered by
being shot or bayoneted to death, some
being in a kneeling position at that time
killed while attempting to escape. but
so far as know no official report was
ever made of the circumstance. These
facts have been reported by Major
Watts, who investigated the case Be
sides Lieut.. Caulheld, Civilian Scouts
Ramos. Preston. Corn aud Mcheen were
participants.
AT Calbayog. Samar. it was reported
that several peH in that district had been
subjected to water torture. | saw three
men who had been subjected 10 this
treatment. One was the prcsidcute Of
the town. Mr.. Rozalcs. who showed me
long. deep scars on his arm. which ne
said were caused by the cords with which
he was bound cutting into his flesh. The
second man was named Jose BOrja and
the third was Padre Jose DiaZnes, who
stated he was one of three priests who
had been subjected to torture by the
troops under command Of Lieut., Gnujot.
Tenth cavalry; that his front teeth had
been Knocked out, which was apparent,
and that he was otherwise maltreated
and robbed o. $500.
Priests Saved from Death.
1T was stated that these priests were
taken on to be killed and were only saw
cd by the prompt action of Major Car
rington, First infantry, who sent out for
them. Lieut.. Gaujot was tried, pleaded
guilty and was given the trivial sentence
of three months suspension from com
mand, forfeitiug 500 per month for the
same period His pleading gnllty pre-
vented all the facts aud circumstances
being developed.
1T appears that Major Glenn, Lieut..
Conger and party Of assistants and ma
tive scouts were moved from place to
place for the purpose Of extoriing state
ments by means Of torture and it became
so notorious that this party was called
'Glenn's brigade.
These facts came 70 my notice in a
casual way and many others Of similar
character have been reported in differ
ent parts of the archipelago. In fact.
was Informed that ii was common talk
at the places where officers conSrcgated
that such fr9usqsftau. had hapt carried