The Moro Crater Massacre

1906 USA troops occupying the Philippines attacked the stronghold of an "unruly" band of hill Moros, mowing the stubborn tribes people down with a combination of artillery fire and infantry assaults.

Eight years previously, in 1898, philosopher William James and other prominent US intellectuals had formed the Anti-Imperialist League to educate the public on the horrors of US policy in the Philippines. Despite the group's efforts, however, there was no great public outcry, and US destruction and domination of the Philippines continued.

Major Littletown Waller (accused of killing 11 defenceless Filipinos) said that General Smith instructed him to kill and burn, and said that the more he killed and burned the better pleased he would be; that it was no time to take prisoners, and that he was to make Samar a howling wilderness. Major Waller asked General Smith to define the age limit for killing, and he replied "Everything over ten" ...

Tagged: usa, army, philippines, war, army, military, history