The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-17
THE FACTS ABOUT THE PHILIP
PINE BUREAU or HEALTH.
A welcome statement and Correction by
the secretary OF War.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--Sir. In
your issue OF July 10. 1914. there was
an editorial article headed "a Patriotic
Filipino"
In the course OF this editorial article
you call attention to the warning given
by THE Sun Of the dire results that
would follow the retirement OF DIR. Vic
tor Helser. the director Uf the Bureau
of Health Of the Philippine Islands.
You state that Governor General Har-
rison contcmplates replacing DIR. Heiser,
that native physician has been APP
pointed to this responsible post and
that recent advices from the islands
announce the great increase In NOR
bldty and mortality since Or. Heiser's
departure. You state that an army
medical officer will succeed DR. Heiser,
and point out the dangers of political
appointments from the officers of the
army and the navy.
This editorial article is based upon
transformation, and | feel sure that
when you learn the facts you will be
glad to print them AZ conspicuousy as
you printed the comments which pro-
cccded from n lack of the knowledge OF
the facts.
The facts are as follows:
reau OF Health of the Philippine ISL
ands and has held that position for
number OF years. In November of 1913
it was published in the American news
papers that he had been removed by
the Governor General. I caused a ca
begram to be sent to the Governor
General as to the truth OF this state
ment and received a reply under date
OF November 80. 1918. as follows:
have not contemplated removal Of Vic.
tor q Heiser His invaluable experience
and rare professional qualifications are fully
appreciated.
The position Of Assistant Director
of the Bureau of Health was va
cant when Governor General Harrison
reached the Philippine Islands. ON jan
! uary 16, 1914. with the consent of Or.
| Heiser, a Filipino physician, DIR. Vicente
4 de Jesus, was appointed to this posi-
| ton. on July 8, 1914. DR.. Hciser APP
piled for leave Of absence. Or. Jesus
would In the natural order o. things
have been acting Director of Health
during the absence OF DR.. Heiser. OF
I his own volition DR.. Jesus represented
/ To the authorities that he and the other
Filipino physicians and the Filipino
! people generally realized the intcrna
/ tional responsibility OF the Americans
with respect to sanitation, and he pre-
/ ferred that an American he in charge
/ Of the bureau during the absence of
/ Or. IIe.scr. Major Munson, who wa
serving in Mndanao and Sulu as the
depar mcnt health officer. was requested
To- take the place during Dr. Heiser :
absence, and an arrangement was made
so that he might do so. Dr. Heiser was
in the Philippine Islands as late as July
II. 1914. We having received cabograms
from him on that day.
In view Of these facts YOU will see
that any reports OF the great increase
in morbidity and mortality since Dr.
Heiscrs departure were entirely mag
mary. since he had not departed. and
also thai t,.ere was never any intention
Of replacing Or. Hclscr and that he has
not been replaced, and | am sure that
YOU viii feel that an injustice has UNI
Intentionally been done by printing an
editorial article based upon a lack OF
knowledge of the existing situation.
our responsibility Is very great in
the Philippine Islands, and we are en-
dCavorinE to fulfil our duty wisely and
fully. You. know. have no desire to
emharrass us by creating impression,
which proceed from transformation a,
To facts.
I thank YOU in advance for tho cour.
tssy which | know YOU will extend I,
me, Of giving this publicity,
LINptEY NJ GARRISON,
Secretary of War.
WASHINGTON. July 10.