September 1, 1900.3
WUCHOW.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Wucliow, 27th August. SANDPIPER" LEAVES WUCHOW.
H. M. gunboat Sandpiper left Wuchow for down-river this morning, the 27th inst. There is no foreign gunboat here now.
THE STATE OF THE PORT.
A better feeling of security scous to prevail here now. Imports of foreign goods are begin. ning again, and tho local banks are relaxing the tightness of the money market which has been the order of the day for the past two months. The news of the taking of Peking by the Allies is disbelieved by some and received by all with apathy.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
publican institutions, based upon the boffeffcent principles of (the Constitution. Success in the great and inspiring undertaking depends largely upon securing through a sense of self interest and gratitude the confidence and attachment of the Filipino people."
44
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who hung up two men on the very scaffold that was built for the execution of two murderers, which was to take place on the following day. The story runs that two men, who were supposed to know the location of arms, were captured. Call these men ladrones, insurrectos, Chinamon, Filipinos or anything you like. They both It is believed that the sentence of the court denied knowing anything about the arms; will be sufficiently executed by reminding Cap- threats failed to move them. Finally the angry tain Brandle and Lieutenant Perkins that by officer through an interpreter told the prisoners reckless defiance of the ethics of their profession that they would be hanged if they did not they have inflict d incalculable injury upon the inform on their countrymen. They answered interests of their country, and have also cast an that if they gave any information they would unwarranted aspersion upon, the reputation of be killed by their own people, so they might as the United States army for sentiments of honour well die at once Accordingly one of them was and humanity." The officers have been released strung up with a rope over the scaffold. His from arrest and returned to duty. The affair companion was placed so that he could see the is looked upon pretty much in the same way as execution. After a few seconds the man was the seizure of the steamer Belgiko was regard taken down, but he still refused to speak. Úped some time ago. The punishment is a he was hoisted again and kept there until he good thing and should be heavier, but these fainted and was to all appearances dead when officers are unfortunate in being caught and thoy laid him out on the ground. They were made examples of, when there are so many about to string up the other native, but believ. others committing the same crimes who are not ing his companion dead, he weakened and said found out, and so escape sentence. he would guide the Americans to a place where guns were hidden. A few minutes later the other man recovered from his faint, and the informer was almost scared to death at being discovered. This is the story freely told at San Carlos.
A HITCH IN THE LEKIN SYNDICATE'S WORK. The last copy of the Times to hand contains a statement from its Hongkong correspondent to the effect that the Pekin Syndicate have been ordered by Li Hung-chang to pay in $300,000. This should of course be thus Le- kin Syndicate, and refers to the Syndicate of merchants who were to farm the Kwang tang Lelin. There has been some hitch about this affair, and the Syndicate have been given the right to colleet the lekin at various stations in the provifce for it is said, throw months, in order that does may nover d amount of bargain money atcoaty paid into ing official treasury. The effect actions of this sort, must have ou trade can perhaps be only too! well conceived by the Hongkong werehauts, | CAPTAIS BRANDLE COURTMARTIALIED FOR A who are to a large extent the sufferers.
MANILA,
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 1th August. AMERICAN OFFICERS SANCTION THE TORTURE
OF FILIPINOS--SUME INSTANCES.
From time to time rumours and stories of the torture of native prisoners by American officers have leaked ont and started the rounds of officialdom; but usually the matter is quickly hushed up and inquiries result in denials or laughing remarks of a man's ability to enjoy pipe-dreams. Occasionally one runs across an enlisted nian who happened to have been present when a torture was inflicted, and who is quite willing to talk about it, or perhaps an indiscreet officer. in an unguarded moment, lets fall a few words of the operation and boasts of how he brought the hombre to time.
It is a well known fact that the Macabebe scouts, and other native troops employed in the American service, stop at little or nothing when they desire to extract information or accumulate a little loot. These men are officered by Americans, who should be responsible for the conduct of their men. but in more cases than one would believe the outrages are overlooked or the men are allowed such opportunities that they can pursue their own sweet will in the matter of prisoners. With the Macabebes the most popular method of forcing unwilling prisoners to give information or part with some of their money is the water cure.”
TORTURE BY WATER.
If these things have come before official notice in Manila the public is not aware of it. Other cases could be cited that occurred in Panay and the Sulus.
CRUEL AND ILLEGAL ASSAULT.
On August 8th the General Orders" contain- ed the report of the Brandle courtmartial which was held just beyond the limits of Manila, at Camp Stotsenberg. Captain Brandle and Lieutenant Perkins, both of the 27th U.S. Volunteers, were in command of the village of Mariquina, near the pumping station that sup- plies Manila with water While out scouting a sergeant of their command was killed; several natives were captured with some arms. Every effort was used to try to make the prisoners give information about the killing of the ser- geant. Like any other men possessing a grain of commonsense or of loyalty to their people, whether they be guerillos or patriots (very likely they were of the hand that killed the sor- geant), they refused to give any information to their capturers. This apparently enraged the officers, who permitted, if not ordered, the natives to le hung up by their necks Captain Brandle is charged with torturing two natives who were prisoners under his custody and entitled to his protection, and of unlawfully, wilfully aud cruelly, commanding, directing and causing the said two natives to be hung by the neck with a rope for a period of about ten seconds, more or less, thus inflicting upon the said natives wounds causing great bodily pain. This was done in the presence of enlisted men and natives.
Lieutenant Alvin Perkins is charged with the same offences against six other natives at the same time on the same day. o the charges and all specifications both officers pleaded a sweep ing "Not guilty" A general courtmartial, presid ed over by the colonel of the regiment, to which these officers belong, found Captain Brandle and Lieutenant, Perkins guilty, with certain exceptions and deliberately sentenced the officers to what?--to be reprimanded by the
GENERAL MCARTHUR'S SEVERE CRITICISM.
This is usually applied by tying the unfor tunate native down and strapping a gun or stick across his mouth in such a way that it is impos-reviewing authority. sible to close it. Then water is steadily poured down the victim's throat; he cannot help swal- lowing it, and if the operation is continued any length of time the stomach becomes greatly distended, vomiting of a choking character follows and finally the lungs fill up. Cases have been heard of where the unfortunate men have been drowned. Usually a moderate application serves to make a man willing to swear to anything that the torturers desiro. I do not say that American officers stand around and indle out the water or hold-the native down, but these things go ou in their commands and they must be cognizant of them.
SANDAKAN NOTES.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Sandakan, 21st August. THE CARRIER SERVICE. Our local carriers-the Sabah 8. 8. Co., Ld., are paying the satisfactory dividend of 12 per cent. for the year ending 30th June last. This Company has three steamers now and intends buying or building another suitable craft with- out delay.
WHARF REPAIR AT LAST!
It will be good news to those interested to hear that the Sandakan Wharf is at last to be renewed; a contract for part of this work has been given out, and the material of the new structure is to be the famous Borneo Billian wood.
BORNEO REJOICING OVER' PEKING'S RELIEF.
:
There is great jubilation here to-day, the news of the relief of the Peking Legations families and staffs safe having come quite un- with, presumably, all the Ministers and their expectedly. That this may mean a ̈ speedy, amicable settlement, which, however, must`sa- tisfy the combined Powers, is "a consummation devoutly to be wished." The effects on Bornesé trade would be most serions were the troubleto last for any lengthened period.
H.M.S. “TERRIBLE" FUND.
THE DISPOSITION OF THE MONEY.
We have received the following letter and enclosure:-
TO THE EDITOR OF THE "DAILY PRESS,
18, Bank Buildings,
27th August Sir, I annex a summary of the accounts of made up to the the H.M.S. "Terrible" Fund 21st August, 1900, which shows a balance in the hands of the Hon. Treasurer of $1,069.
I am now writing to Captain Scott to en- quire whether he has any immediate use for the fund, in aid of the wounded or sick from the "Terrible." The cover for the address of welcome has been made, and it will be presented to Captain Scott with the address and the signatures upon the return of the "Terrible here in the autumn. I am, dear sir, yours faith- fully,
H. E. POLLOCK,
Hon. Soc., "Terrible" Reception committee,
Hon. Treasurer. Dr.
Dinner and smoking concert Gymkhana and sports Fête on cricket ground Kelly and Walsh for cover for address.
The reviewing authority is General Mer- thur, and what he thinks of the proceeding is this." "In the foregoing cases of Captain George W. Brandle and second Lieutenant Alvin S. Perkins, 27th Infantry U.S. Volunteers, In account with the Honourable C. P. Chater, C.M.G., the findings and sentences are approved with the remark that the reviewing authority is of the opinion that in the case of the former à finding of guilty, on each of the specifications as laid without the oxceptions and substitutions made by the court, would have been in full accord with the record," etc. Continuing he says, "It is obvious that a cruel and illegal assault was perpetrated by the accused officers upon Another method employed is to hang men up certain native prisoners, an assault not only by the neck until nearly strangled, and then let criminal in itself under the Laws of War, but them down and demand that the victim tell the in remote consequences well calculated to defeat location of guns and ammunition. or of insur-
a carefully considered policy, and to inflict per- gent troops, or perhaps merely of money or food.manent injury upon the essential interests of The garrison men of San Carlos tell queer tales the nation." The purpose of the United States of an officer, now a brigadier general of volunteers, in these islands is to introduce and plant re-
MOCK HANGING.
By balance
Cr.
2,674.70
1769:09
1,289.26
39.50
765.55
,884.55
́6,831,00
3.55
10-30,834.55.
Subscription collected Interest at 2 per cent, allowed by Bank to
30th June