The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-28
GEN. MAcAR7HUR's VIEWS
The Military-Governas Review OF
the Affairs in the Philippines
rhe Causes and Methods Of the tnsur'
-.
rectlon-Success of the Rebels ~:
Guerilla Warfare, -

Washington, D. c. (SpeciaD D.-Hajor-
General Arthur Macarthur, command
ing the army in the Philippines and
Military Governor of the Islands
since May S, 1900, has submitted his
report to the War Department. A
large part of the report relates to
events which took place previous to
the date when he assumed command.
and he publishes some Of the CORE
spondence and proclamations of the
Filipinos obtained before that time.
He refers to the plan Of Aguinaldo
in abandoning his army organization
and starting afguerilla warfare. The
conditions of the country have af-
forded advantages for such q policy,
he says as they have enabled the in
surgents 70 appear. and disappear at
their convenience" At one time they
are soldiers and Immediately after are
within the American lines in the atti-
tude of peaceful natives. -.
A widely scattered formation of Fill
ipinos, quickly followed she guerilla
warfare, which led to corresponding
dissemination of American troops,
there being fifty-three military sta
tions in the archipelago on: November
Il, 1899, and 413 stations on; September
1, 1900. 4
This resulted in a large humber Of
minor skirmishes. many of which did
not assume the dignity Of regular
combat, though the casualties between
the dates. mentioned were 26S Ameri-
!. cans killed, 750 wounded and 55 cap.
'turedl the. Filipino, losses during the
same thine being 1927 killed, e94
woundsd and 1854 captured.
General Macarthur Says the eXten-
sive, distribution Of troops has strained
the soldiers ofsthe army to the full
limit'of endurance. he speaks in the
highest terms of the service rendered
by the troops aWid all labors and:
hardships. #
"The Filipinosg says General Mac
Arthur, "are not NarliRe or ferocious
people. Left to themselves. large
number of them would gladly accept
American supremacy, which they are
gradually coming to understand means
individual liberty and absolute secur-
ity in their lives AM. property. AS a
substitute for all other. considerations
the people seem to be actuated by the
idea that in ali doubtful matters Of
politics or war mensa never nearer
right than when going with their own
3 kith and kin, regardless of conse-
quences."I
This condition, she says, has raised
difficulties and obstructions to pacifl-
cation. The effort to institute muni-
cipal government under American aus
pices carried the idea Of exclusive f..
deity. to the United States, but this
met with difficulties where Filipinos
were placed entirely in control, and
secret municipal governments were Or
Fganized In various towns under insur-
gent auspices to proceed simultaneous
II with the American government, and
often through the aame personnel.
y Presidentes and town officials acted
openly In behalf Of Americans and Sc.
cretly In behalf of the insurgents, and,
paradoxical as it may seem, with con-
siderable apparent solicitude for the
interests; Of both, .,
q The report says the success of the
guerilla system depends upon COM
plete unity Of action among the native
population. That there is such unity
is frankly acknowledged, but how 1t
is brought about General Macarthur
says he is unable to ascertain.
Intimidation accounts for the condi-
tion to some extent, but fear would
not be successful as the only motive.
He adds: 1T is more probable that the
adhesive principle comes from ethno-
logical homogeneity, which induces
men to respond for time to the ap-
peals of consanguineous leadership,
even when such action IS opposed to
their own interests and convictions of
eXpediency."
He says that this statement applies
to the entire archipelago, excepting
the portion of Mindanao occupied by
Moros and the Jolo group. The Moros
seem entirely satisfied with present
conditions. =:
General Macarthur quotes captured
correspondence to show the efforts OF
the insurgent leaders to intimidate
ard control the people. He declares
that the guerilla bands couli not ex-
list except for the support they re-
ceiye from the towns. He, says that
the education of the FilipinGs will
tend to secure their submission, but
Indicates that this will take great
deal Of time and patience and an ade-
quate force. .-
Accompanying General MacArthur's
report are the reports Of the various
staff officers under his command.
Major-General Lloyd Wheaton reports
upon the conditions of the Department
Of Northern Luzon, while Major Gen
eral John C. Bates makes a>rerort re-
gardirg the Department or Southern
LIzon. General Robert P. Hughes
reports as commander.of the Depart
ment of the Visayas; and General
William A. Kobbe repurts on the op-
erations in Mindanao and Jolo. These
reports relate chiefly to the military
operations in the departments.