The times., 1899-12-31

The Rev Frank n Wells chaplain OF
the First Tennessee Regiment. has some
information concerning the Fill
ginos.
In the capacity OF chaplain Of the First
said Mr.. Wells. Il was sta
toned with that regiment at IIoilo Bar
racks, on the Island OF Pauay Though we
did not have to undergo many hardships
while in the Philippines. am not sorry to
be home again.
During the time ] was at IlOilo I was
with the Tennessee boys in several hot
fights. the hottest being that Of Cebu
Cebu Island. Although you read much in
the press dispatches about the fighting
qualities OF the Filipino. in reality be has
none. Their army is a mere disorganized
rabbIe, and their fights are not conducted
according 70 any known system Of war
fare, ancient OF modern. They are great
imitators. however. and have picked up
many American tactics. II they had any
generalship among them. and any true
grit. this would prove OF great benefit,
but they. lack every essential which goes
to make a good soldier. They never at
tack except under cover Of darkness and
when forced to fight in the open their mr.
ing lines are nothing but a disorderly
string of men, hripg at viii and ma
neuvring without any guidance whatever
Rifles among them are scarce in pIopoF-
tiOn TO the number OF men in the L..
| consequently only about one man in i've s
50 armed The other four very often carry
dummy rifles made Of wood and 20 uidEb-e
machetes. With this weaE0I Trey a-e
adopts. but in all my stay in Luzou have
yet 70 see an insurgent come close enough
I TO an American soldier 20 CO him any IN
/ jury with a machete unless it was Iu a
night attack.
The object Of the dummy rifles is
/ blind. / suppose, but wheZzyer a s5lIIec
/ who has Mauser falls his p-ece and east
ridSe belt is Immediately appIOpria-zd b.
/ dummy man. This is one reason Why
/ so few rifles are captured by our sold e-s
/ in decisive battles"
/ Are there any good marksnen among
/ the Filipinos, AR. Wells Q"
"A few. and these are wi-e.y scattered
: As a general thing. the Filipino Is a miser-
\ able failure with a rifle. and ID 50 q Ot
I quantity Of powder they burn ia a single
! engagement very little danazs is 60aa.
/ 1T is a curious fact that the FIlipinCs
I have most wholesome fear Cf the voluL-
\ teers armed with the 45-cali5er Springfield
/ Though the Krag-JorgenseL as carried by
/ the regulars IS more deadly weapon II
long range fighting, the Springfield, with
/ it's large Caliber and soft lead bullet. rarely
/ fails 10 stop a man, either killing him
outright or putting nim out Of the hght en-
I tirely.
What strikes terror TO their hearts the
quickest IS the Southern 'rebsl yell Inis
peculiar war wnOOp was introduced BY the
boys from the South. and has been adopted
BY all the troops in the Islands. When our
boys charge down on their trenches the
sound Of hat awful heart-shakiug ye-l puts
down the insurgents courage and il Is not
/ long before tney bolt for the jungle
/ How long 90 you think the flip nos VIII
hold out Mr. Weils2 They seem 20 be on
their last legs2'
Il don't think the struggle VIII be kept
up much longer. The followers OF the
ubiquitous TagaI are becoming sadly dis
[ couTaged. and in my opinion Aguinaldo
/ viii surrender before the new year IS very
! cid You see up TO sixty days ago none
of the Jowrs captured 5y the American
forces could be held OVi ing TO the lack OF
sufficient men. The volunteers were BE-
{ Ing sent home and even with che regulars
I who were there the aggregate was not
being sent over as rapidly as possible,
there are only from 55.l00 10 80 GOO men
in the islands for active service and gar
rizon duty This is net enough By far.
as it will take at least 100000 90 subdue
/ the turbuiclt ones, garrison the captured
I towns and keep the peace after the SUE
render"
what. Mr.. Wells. is your opinion Of
: the FiipiIos as q peopie
n
. the Cubsns but they are NOT capable OF
seIf-government. The Malay vein o1
treacherv is strong among them and tAey
are not to be trusted. some OF them seem
. anxious TO be on good terms win US,
while YOU are talking 70 them bur Wlen
they get among their brother Iagais Jaey
curse our Government by an -ne saints ID
the calendar. IL was q common thing Ior
the bows to be called out in L1a middle
. of the night 90 repel an outpost attack
+ These skirTuishes were very frequent aud
often I assumed my rank CI captain, gong
out with them. During one Ol these mid
night hikes through the riee paddles We
captured two insurgents who walked
around IiOilO as -pICilc0S. lhelr tIlf ~-S
20 have rifles hidden and go out M t1ese
night attacks, after which tney Would
change their clothes I,ie the guns and
become pacihcOs once mOre-unti the next
attack was planned.
4 I'm my opinion this Government should
by all msaps hold on 70 the Islands and
ecdeavor to civilize and make something
of the beuiehted 'Httle brown men The
islands are valuable not only from Q STRAIT
eaie standpoint but commercially Though
there is NO American capital there now,
the chances are amazing, ana if me trade
is built up the revenues viii feet up
handsomely The amounts already coli
le-ted. or. rather up 10 the past june VIII
more than pay the expenses OF the Eighth
Army Corps II this Government does .el
go the islands they VIII become me o2ne
Cf soprsutfon for the powers Of Europe
and bring about more war and bloo1s1ed-
Memphis Scimetar.