called the attention of Father Laminage to the fact that they were in the building, just as when the troops entered, and advised their removal in case the building was not to be rehabilitated at an early date. He admitted that they were "all right;" that they were safer there than anywhere else, but that they probably would be removed later.

Third. Forty-three (43) iron bedsteads.

Remarks: Do not recall ever seeing any in the building. Gehman says positively that there were none. The troops slept on the floor until the Quartermaster was able to have made and provide bamboo bunks.

Fourth. Twenty-four (24) narra wood escritoires.

Remarks: There was a number of these articles, small school desks, of a very plain and cheap grade, scattered through the building when I left. Gehman assures me that he saw them all collected and removed by the parish priest long before the troop left.

Fifth. One (1) narra minster escritoire; one (1) escritoire pupitre.

Remarks: When I left, these articles, or what I supposed were the ones referred to, were in the room formerly used as a chapel. Gehman informs me that when it became necessary to use this room for other purposes the articles were partitioned off and made secure at one end of the room and were there, in as good condition as when found, when the troop left.

Sirth. Tables:

1. One (1) large round table, one meter radius, etc.

Remarks: I saw no such table in the building during my occupancy. Gehman says there was none.

*

11. One (1) quadrilong table Remarks: Saw no such table as this.

one meter wide, etc. Gehman says there was none.

111. Tables assorted, aggregating eight (1) in number. Remarks: There was a number of cheap, plain, ordinary, tables, of different kinds, in the building, but I do not recall the number. They were there when I left and, Gehman says, were in the building, in good condition, when the troop vacated. These tables were very ordinary and cheap.

Sereath. Assorted benches, aggregating thirty-seven (37).

Remarks: There was a number of cheap, plain, ordinary benches in the building when I left, the exact number and kind of which I do not know. Gehman says they were there when the troop left. There were probably more benches left by the troop than were originally in the building.

Eighth, Book shelves, aggregating six (6).

Remarks: These book shelves were turned over with, and removed at the same time as the library. I saw them taken from the building, under the supervision of Father Laminage and his assistants.

These were the shelves and cases purporting to have contained 6,000 volumes, more or less, but which were about filled with 2,043 volumes. I know of no other book shelves or cases. Gehman is cognizant of the facts in the case. Ninth. Wardrobes, aggregating three (3).

Remarks: I recall seeing a number of wardrobes in the building, were there when I left, do not recall the number. Gelman says they were there when the troop left. One left in orderly room.

Tenth. Blackboards, aggregating fifty-one (51).

Remarks: Do not recall seeing any, neither does Gehman.
Eleventh. Chairs, aggregating twenty-eight (28).

Remarks: There was a number of chairs, assorted, scattered through the building, don't know how many. As in case of the bedstead, and at the same time, I called Father Laminage's attention to, and pointed out a number of chairs, which I presumed were for ministerial purposes, and which seemed to me to be of some value. Attention was called to the fact that the chairs were in good condition, had been kept where they could not be used by the troop and removal advised. Again the reply was that they were safe where they were but that they would probably be removed later.

Gehman assures me that all of the chairs were collected and removed by the parish priest at the same time as were the school desks.

Twelfth. One (1) clock.

Remarks: This was standing in the hallway at the head of the stairs-was there when the troop left. It did not run and was not used. It is probably still there or somewhere in the building.

Thirteen. Lamps, aggregating seven (7), and two (2) globes.

Remarks: I think some unserviceable lamps were around the building; am not positive. Gehman says there were none.

Fourteenth. Writing desks, numbering two (2).

Remarks: I know that I pointed out at least one of these desks to Father Laminage, and I think two of them. They were there when I left. Gehman

says when the troop left, one in the orderly and one in the captain's room. Fifteenth, Kitchen, dining room, etc.

Remarks: Neither Gehman nor myself ever saw any of these articles. My troop used their field cooking outfit and individual mess kits until the quartermaster was able to provide regular garrison kits.

Sixteenth. Fruit trees.

Remarks: Never heard of or saw any fruit trees belonging to the building; neither did Gehman.

The foregoing covers what I now recall as being relevant to the case, my memory being greatly refreshed by reference to the list of property furnished me, and for which claim is made.

Although, as already stated, I was not with the first troops to enter Vigan, yet, knowing what I do of the conditions there existing, I can to no extent whatever credit the claim to the effect that the colegio was refitted or in any way rehabilitated between the time of the departure of the insurrecto and the arrival of the United States troops, and am firmly of the belief that the statement that such was he case in devoid of even a scintilla or veneering of truth, and not intended to be taken seriously.

It is a well-known fact that, for weeks, while the raid "around Tarlac," and northward through the northern provinces of Luzon, was in progress, the United States troops were practically and continually on the heels of the insurrecto forces, the latter being driven from town to town and from one position to another; that in almost all cases these towns were practically abandoned by their inhabitants, who either fled, through fear, or were forced to accompany the insurrectos; that these same insurrectos in no way respected the rights of the regular inhabitants, but left in their wake a trail of devastation, by way of looted houses and churches and wanton waste and destruction of property of every description; that owing to the valuable, portable fixtures and treasure they were supposed to contain, taken with the bitter antagonistic sentiment for the friars, the churches, and church buildings, especially those with which the friars were closely identified, as was the case with the colegio and other church buildings at Vigan, suffered great deprivations. Few, if any, of the church official representatives remained in those vacated towns. I recall, as an instance in question, that while camping in a large town a member of my troop unearthed, at a point near where my horses were picketed, some valuable church fixtures, as lamps, candelabra, etc. (as I recall them), supposed to be of silver. In the entire town I was unable to find a representative of the church to receive the property, and finally was obliged to turn it over to the presidente, taking his receipt for the same, with promise that it would be restored to the church as soon as possible.

Again, on my arrival at Vigan I found the room which had been used as a chapel entirely dismantled, even to the extent of the floor being torn up. I was assured, not by Americans, but by Spaniards and friendly Filipinos, that this was the work of the insurrectos, and that they tore up the floor in search for treasure and valuable church fixtures supposed to be hidden there or thereabouts.

Taking everything into consideration, I am of the opinion that, unless conditions surrounding the property in question underwent the most remarkable change subsequent to June 28, 1902 (and I don't believe they did), any just claim in the premises should be in favor of the Government; for it would seem that this property, instead of being injured, destroyed, or confiscated, was cared for and restored to the church authorities by the troops a fact voluntarily, most openly, and gratefully acknowledged to me by Fr. Laminage on or about May 5, 1901, as already cited.

I am free to admit that, in the light of facts, it seems not only astonishing, but incredible, that a claim of the scope and character of this should be urged, and that presumably from a source from which honesty and fair dealing might reasonably be expected. Loss of memory on the part of the claimants, if they are the personages with whom I had to deal, with hope or expectation that others should be similarly afflicted, seems to be the most generous explanation. As not exactly relevant to the subject proper, yet bearing on the subject of claims which may arise, I venture to volunteer the information that the question of rentals of buildings, used by the government in Vigan, was acted upon

and adjusted in the spring or summer of 1901 by a board of officers, of which Maj. (now Col.) E. Z. Stever was president and I was a member. I do not recall the entire results of the board's work, but a certain percentage of the value of each building was allowed as rental. It is now my impression that the proceedings and recommendations of the board were acted upon by the district commander.

The matter is mentioned only in order that in case it should come up it may be known that the matter was at one time adjusted.

Necessary papers and confirmatory information not being at once available has occasioned some delay in the rendition of this report.

Any further information in my possession which may have escaped me in this paper I shall be delighted to furnish.

I am, Major, very respectfully,

GEO. A. DODD, Lieutenant-Colonel Tenth Cavalry.

A.

Major DODD: Gen. Bell has given permission to Father Laminage to take the library books which are in your troop quarters.

He desires you to turn them over to him and take note of the books and their condition.

Very respectfully,

Vigan, May 3rd.

A true copy.

J. W. POPE,

Lt. Col. & Dep. Q. M. Genl., U. S. Army.

JOHN GREEN BALLANCE.

B.

VIGAN, LUZON, P. I., May 4th, 1901. Received of Major Dodd 1,843 books and 200 pamphlets, church property. FR. F. LAMINAGE.

A true copy.

Lt. Col. & Dep. Q. M. Genl., U. S. Army.

Colonel HULL. In addition to that I have seen a letter written by the administrator of this diocese, in 1901, to the commanding general of the Department of the Philippines, thanking him for the great care which the United States troops had taken of the church property at Vigan. Major Dodd's report says that the minute he went in there he took every piece of property that he could find, all of the library, and the loose pieces of furniture, such as would not be useful to the troops and which would be liable to injury or to be stolen, and put them under lock and key. He treated this property with even almost more care than an officer ordinarily would United States property, yet two years afterwards this claim is presented for carrying away of 6,000 books, or something of that kind. This is one claim where the board and the church authorities arrived at directly opposite conclusions as to the facts.

The CHAIRMAN. The claim was for 67,500 pesos.

Colonel HULL. As I have just stated, some of the exhibits are missing. The original claim is missing from these papers now.

The CHAIRMAN. And you awarded 20,000 pesos. In other words, you cut it down over two-thirds.

Mr. OLMSTED. How much did they claim on this one item for damages to the seminary?

Colonel HULL. In the neighborhood of $6,300 gold for the library. Mr. OLMSTED. Dollars or pesos?

Colonel HULL. Dollars. That is the one big item.

Mr. OLMSTED. And that you disallowed entirely?

Colonel HULL. We disallowed it entirely, although there was doubtless a small amount of loss.

Mr. OLMSTED. This claim was made two years after our people had vacated the premises?

Colonel HULL. Virtually so.

Mr. OLMSTED. Was there any evidence showing whether any books had been removed between the time of our vacating the premises and the making of the claim?

Colonel HULL. The books that were then extant were turned over to the church authorities prior to our vacation and a receipt taken therefor.

The CHAIRMAN. At this point in the Colonel's testimony we will insert what we find on page 29 of the report of the board, concerning claim No. 350, so as to make the record show just what the award was in items:

No. 350. Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Claim for rent and damage to palace, seminary, girls' school, and corral, amounting to P67,500.80.

We recommend payment as follows: Palace, rent, twenty months, at 175 per month, #3,500; palace, damages, #1,200; seminary, rent, thirty-seven months, at 200 per month, 7,400; seminary (no damages); girls' school, rent, thirty-seven months, at 175, P6,475; girls' school, damages, #1,200; corral, rent of grounds, thirty-seven months, at P30, P1,110; total, P20,885. (Exhibits 895-951.)

Colonel HULL. I am sorry that in the documents here I have not been able to find all of the Vigan papers, but I can explain also where there was a wide divergence. For instance, in the case of this building [indicating photograph] this is a picture of the seminary [photograph exhibited to the committee] there was a wide difference of opinion as to the rental value. We had a report from an Army officer as to what he considered the value of the premises. We had the claims of the church, and I think-I am speaking from memory that the report of the board was somewhere between the claim of the church and the report of the Army officer. If you will look at the item in the report of the board, you will see what we allowed for the rental of the seminary.

The CHAIRMAN. That is, $100 per month for the building, the picture of which you have in your hands. Now, how much did you allow for the bishop's palace?

Mr. GRAHAM. One hundred and seventy-five pesos a month.

Colonel HULL. Here is a picture of that building. Since the award was made I have been

Mr. FORNES. May I ask a question at this point? estimate the cost of that building?

What did you

Colonel HULL. Oh, I could not give that estimate now.
Mr. FORNES. A couple of hundred thousand dollars?
Colonel HULL. I would not care to say.

Mr. OLMSTED. Of what is this bishop's palace constructed, stone?

Colonel HULL. It is evidently of stone. Since we made this award the board took occasion to go to Vigan, and we went over these buildings very carefully to see whether we had been wrong or right in our original conclusions. I talked to Colonel Brodie about it, and we saw no reason for changing our recommendations. We thought that what we allowed there was proper, according to our best judg ment. The other building

Mr. GRAHAM. The girls' school was 175 pesos a month. Connected with the bishop's palace there seem to be extensive grounds. Did you use them also?

Colonel HULL. We used the grounds somewhat. The grounds extended back and were very extensive. They extended back to the river, running along back of the bishop's palace and back of the girls' school.

The CHAIRMAN. We will put in the record at this point the amount of this reduction, which was, in dollars, from $38,750.40 to $10,442.50. Colonel HULL. If I had all of the exhibits here, with the reports of the officers and the original claims of the church, I could make a more complete statement.

The CHAIRMAN. Does that bundle of papers on the table all relate to this claim?

Colonel HULL. The papers all relate to this claim, but the original claim and the original reports of the surveying officers of these buildings I find are missing from the papers that I have here.

The CHAIRMAN. It is your present judgment that this reduction of $28,000 from the original claim was just and that the award should stand?

Colonel HULL. I think so.

The CHAIRMAN. Does any other member of the committee wish to ask about any particular claim?

Mr. DAVIS. Why not take No. 351 there?

The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Garrett desires to ask a question.

Mr. GARRETT (to Colonel Hull). Your method of procedure and your mental processes, if I may put it that way, were the same in regard to all these claims?

Colonel HULL. Virtually so. On these larger claims we worked as a body, but on the smaller ones we very often divided them out, and each member of the board would take an individual claim and prepare it for submission to the full board.

Mr. GARRETT. Who would find the facts?

Colonel HULL. The board would find the facts.

The CHAIRMAN. Where you took oral testimony, were the witnesses sworn?

Colonel HULL. Yes, sir. We would see what we could find. Mr. Brodie would take a case, and Mr. Moore would take a case, but in these larger claims the whole board acted together as a body. The original preliminary investigation was made by the individual members of the board.

The CHAIRMAN. That is, when you took testimony you acted as a body.

Colonel HULL. All of the testimony was taken by the board as a body.