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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 1902)
Vol. a, No. S 7. ,$. 12 The Commoner. jir-c has been freighted with Justice and temporcd with morcy. On top of Major Gardonor's accusa tions camo another cablegram from Manila in which Gouoral Chaffoo "ro grottod tho accidont" which resulted in tho Amoricans shooting thirty-flvo MoroB dead yesterday in the island of Mlndanoa. Gonoral Chaffoo oxplainod how tho Moros camo to bo killed, but his ex planation did not servo to mitigate the sovoro criticism against the whoto salo slaughter. Major Gardener's charges wore pro sontod to the senate committeo .on Philippines by Senator Lodge, th mouthpioco of tho administration. He made an ovidont effort to relievo their Eting by asserting that one of tne Amoricans accused by Major Gardener was crazy, and by pointing out that more than 300 American officers ana enlisted men had boon court-martialed in tho Philippines for offenses against natives. Senator Lodgo simply jumped from tho frying pan into tho fire, for tne sonators had no idea until then that tho army records proved such gigantic mistreatment of Filipinos. Major Gardener's charges wore ca bled to Washington May 4 by General Chaffeo in' response to an order from Secretary of War Root for specifica tions regarding tho general accusations made some time ago by tho major. In tho details supplied by Gonoral Chaf foo It is seen, not only that Major Gar donor has found ovidonco of torture and robbery and murder, but that ne has discovered that tho American troops havo boon guilty of lack of dis cipline and dilatorincss in tho field. In view of those revelations, oppo nents of the administration say It Is no wonder that Senator Lodgo and other republicans resisted tho effort to havo Major Gardener summoned to Washington to testify. Following aro tho charges mado by Majgr-Gatdcncp-as-unpliod by. Jlen-- uuaueo's cablegram that tiio war department suppressed for two days: "Reference to cable 3d Secretary of War To send tho following: Ma jor Cornelius Gardener's first letter contained no specifications on which I could act. From his second letter, however, In order to comply with the present instructions, I submit in tne form of charges tho following data which aro as complete as possible un der the conditions in which I am at present situated: "Charge 1. Tho troops that succeed ed tho volleys did not keep up tho scouting and patrolling system. "Specification That the troops sta tioned in tho central towns on Taya bas, to-wlt: In Lucban, Tayabas, Lu cena and Savlayo did near tho town of Dolores tortured a native by tho waior cure. This during tho summer of 1901. "Specification 2. That the command ing officer of La Guimanoc during tho summer of 1901 tortured or maltreated a native boy. "Specification 3. That troops com ing from Lucona or Tayabas; on sev eral occasions tortured natives be longing to the Pueblo of Pagbilao. This during the summer and fall of 1901. "Charge 4. Harsh treatment or na tives. "Specification 1. That men belong ing to a detachment of soldiers sta tioned at Candolarla looted a store m that town about tho month of No vember, 1901. 'Specification 2. That a detachment of soldiers in the spring of 1901, tor about three months failed to scout or patrol the country except as escort to wagon trains on the main roads. "Charges 2. Burning of barrios or villages. "Specification That troops during tho fall of 1901 burned a number ot barrios belonging to Dolores and ad jacent towns. "Charge 3. Torturing natives. "Specification 1. That certain Unit ed States troops coming from San Pablo took away from a poacefjil cltl aon of Tolores a pony. This about tho month of Septembor, 1901. "Specification 3. That tho house ot a native of Candolarla forcibly taken for a smallpox hospital and afterwaro burned by order of tho surgeon at Sarlaya; that the said native was not romunorated. This in Candolarla in July, 1901. "Specification 4. That First LIou tonant Georgo Do G. Catlin did striko with his fist nativos of Lucona tor failing to take off their hats to him and did forcibly with throats compel a native to deal cards for him. This about Soptcmbor, 1901. "Specification 5. That First Llou tenant George Do G. Catlin at Calaua tian did keen In tho guard house for three days a native without food or water. This about September, 1901. "Specification G. That First Lieu tenant George De G. Catlin did striko natives in the face for failing to re move thoir hats. This while ho was in command at that post. "Specification 7. That a party of soldiers attacked with pistols three natives working on the roads near Lucena. This about November, 1901. "Specification 8. That certain sol diers belonging to a troop of cavalry stationed in Tayabas Pueblo did vio late five women of that town by force. This in tho month of January or Feb ruary, 1901. "Tho dates are approximate and tho facts from complaints mado to mo stated to the best of my recollection." General Chaffee's name was signed to tho cablegram. Sonator Lodge laid before the com mitteo a list of over 300 officers and enlisted men in the United States army who had been tried by court-martial for offenses against natives; also a list of natives tried by military com missions for cruelties to. United States soldiers and violation of the laws of war. "TiTma1dng comment Qi Major.. Gar dener's charges Senator Lodge salu that Lieutenant Catlin had been under treatment for deranged, miner. Gonoral Chaffee's cablegram regard ing tho shooting of thirty-flvo of tho olghty-four prisoners taken when the sultan of Bavan's fort fell in Min danao was received by the war depart ment. It follows: "Manila, Adjutant General, Wash ington: General George W. Davis re ports Saturday, 1 p. m., May 3, pris oners that had been disarmed sitting on open hilltop and surrounded by strong guard, at a concerted signal, sprang to thoir feet and ruslied aown the hill. Several endeavored to seize rifles from guard, and ono succeeded while soldier was drinking from can teen. Direction of the flight such as to bring them to the rear of the com pany so that firing upon the Moros would endanger our men. "Guard and ono company opened firo without orders, killing 35. Nine were recaptured and tho others escaped. "Regret this accident as it was de sired to release the prisoners, except a few of tho leaders and encourage the return of others to peaceful labors. "CHAFFEE." took the position that It was not the province of an executive department to do anything to encourage the deco ration of American officers by kings and princes. This informant points out that if congress gives tho author ity for tho proposed decoration of Dowoy and Miles, the decoration may take placo. , , . , Tho Empire Builder. Dead, then, and done! He had a Roman mind, Not of Rome's earlier, but her later kind; Tho kind that rose whon Roman vir tue" died, The gilded acolytes of Greed and Pride, Tho fungus few who flourished, vilely great, Upon a moribund and rotting State, Throve upon ruin and, with vain dis play, Garnished their country's swift and sure decay! The typo wo know! A consul home returned Rich with the spoil of cities sacked and burned, Decking his harlot glory with the gain Of little peoples crushed, enslaved and slain! Praising the gods with pious, canting . : lies He spawns a temple or a bath ana dies; Robs, kills, debauches and, at last, atones By some huge pile of ostentatious stones The spoiler's gift, in every age a sign Of social dislocation and decline! And this late empire builder! lay; him low And, singing, saying little, let him go! Tho better hearts of men In coming years Will note his name and pay their toll in tears; But not for him, ah! not for him will rise The tardy tribute of regretful sighs! The pensive Muse of History -will dwell , On how the gallant Burghers fought and fell, ' On Freedom's altar laid their dauntless lives, Their blazing homes, their wailing babes and wives, And, from their kopjes swathed in battle-flame, J Rose on the wings of death to death less fame! J: O'erwhelmed by numbers, yet unterrl- fied, They died as gladiators might havo died! While all the world set by .with. thumbs turned down, - -'" Friendless and few, they challenged fortune's frown, i. Wrote from their veins, in letters red but fair, A testament for all men everywhere, Leaving mankind examples, proud and high ' Of sons of freedom not afraid to die! And, dying thus that men might learn to live, " ' Thoy gave what swollen wealth could never give ; A prophet thought to rule the better day When empire builders all have passed away! Howard S. Taylor, Chicago. This Boy Is Making a Success of THE NEWS BUSINES: DECORATIONS. The Now York Herald prints an In teresting story to the effect that the French government desired to confer tho Cross of tho Legion of Honor upon Admiral Dowoy and Lieutenant Gon oral Miles, and that this proposition offended President Roosevelt, who "came to the conclusion that it would bo unwise to decorate two officers whom he had reprimanded and one of whom was upon terms of hostility wltli his administration;" and when the French ambassador called at the White house he was informed as to tno president's decision. A representative of the administration replied to tho Herald's story, and says that the pres ident does not object to the decoration of Dewey and Miles, but he merely Read his father's letter. We have received many similar letters from boys who are selling The Commoner. Bbldino, Mich., April 26, 1902. The Commoner, Lincoln, Neb. Gentlemen: Enclosed find P. O. money order for 45c, for which send to Master Milo Luick fifteen of next weok's Commonor. He sold the ten copies in less than thirty minutes. Yours truly, ' FRANK J. LUICK. ..ANY INTELLIGENT BOY CAN DO THE SAME. Wo will furnish, the capital by sending you TEN PAPERS for the first week FREE. You can sell Tho papers for 5 cents each; then- buy more papers at tho news dealers' rates, which allows you a good profit. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY IT? Write today, and we will send you the ten papers to commence business on, and supply you with all necessary information. Address J The Commoner, Lincoln, Nebraska, a & h - 4 ' 31 n u' ,. .. i-j