The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-11-14
REPORT OF M ARTHUR.
Guerrilla Warfare the Feature of
Philippine Operations.
TRANSFORMATION ACT.
Filipinos as Soldiers or as Peaceful
Natives-Not Ferocious
People.

gov CIuOI III luC lSIdHuS Since May y,
1900, has submitted his report to the war
+ department. A considerable portion OF
the report relates to events which took
place previous to the date when he as
sumed command and he publishes some
of the correspondence and prOclamatons
of the Philippines obtained before that
! time. He refers to the change in
AGulnaldo's plans in abandoning his ar
my organization and starting a guerrilla
warfare. The conditions of the: country
have afforded advantages for such a poi
icy, he says, as they have enabled the
insurgents to appear and disappear at
their service. At one time they
arc soldiers and Immediately after
arc within the American lines
in the attitude Of peaceful ma
tivcs. A widely scattered form
alton of Filipinos quickly followed the
guerrilla warfare which led to CORE
troops, there being ffty-three military
stations in the archipelago November 1,
1890, and 413 stations September /, 1900.
This resulted in large number of minor
affairs, many of which did not assume
t, he dignity Of a regular combat, though
the casualties between the dates stated
were 268 Americans killed. $50 wounded
and SO captured the Filipino losses dur
ing the same time being 1927 killed. 694
wounded and 1854 captured Gen. Mac
Arthur says the executive distribution of
troops has strained the soldiers of the
army to the full limit of endurance. He
says the apparent desultory work has de-
manded more of discipline and as much
of valor as was required during the
period of regular operations against con-
centrated field forces of insurrectiOnists.
Gen. Macarthur speaks in the highest
terms of the service rendered by the
troops amid all labors and hardships.
Not a Warlike People.
''The Filipinos." says Gen. Macarthur,
care not a warlike or ferociOus people.
Left to themselves a large number of
them would gladly accept American SUI
premacy, which they are gradually coming
to understand means individual liberty
and absolute security in their lives and
property. They have been maddened, how
ever, during the past five years by rhe-
torical sophistry and stimulants applied
to national pride, until power of discrim-
mating in matters of public concern or
private interest has been almost entirely
suspended. AS substitute for all other
considerations the people seem to be ac-
tuated by the idea that i'll all doubtful
matters of politics or war men are never
nearer right than when going with their
own kith and kin, regardless of conse-
quences."
This condition. he says, has raised diff
ficulties and Instructions in paci6cation.
The effort to institute municipal gov
eminent under American auspices carried
the idea of exclusive fidelity to the United
States, but this met with difficulties
where Filipinos were placed entirely in
control and secret municipal governws
ments were organized in various towns
simultaneously with the American gov
eminent and often through the same
personnel. Presidentes and town officials
acted openly in behalf of Americans and
in nholf Of hn incn re nd
paradoxical as it may seem, with CON
siderable apparent solicitude for the in
tereSts of both.
Aided by Intim idation.
Wherever there is group of insurgent
forces, contiguous towns contribute to
their support and render great assistance
in secreting the soldiers and helping them
to escape The report says the success
of the guerrilla system depends upon COM
plete. unity of action among the native
population. That there is such unity is
frankly acknowledged. but how it is
brought about Gen. Macarthur says he
is unable to ascertain. Intimidation ac-
counts for the condition 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 chronological homo
genelty which induces men to respond for
a time to the applause of consanguinous
leadership even when such action is OPP
posed to their own interest and convic-
lions of expediency. This statement ap-
plies to the entire archipelago excepting
the portion of Mindanao occupied by
Moros and the .Jolo group. The Moros
seem entirely satisfied with present condi-
TONS"
Gen. Macarthur quotes captured CORE
spondence to show the efforts of the in
surgent leaders to intimidate and control
the people. He declares that the guer-
rllla bands could not exist except for the
support they received from the towns.
He says that the education of the Fill
plnos will tend to secure their submits
sion, but indicates that this will take a
great deal of time and patience and an
adequate force.
In closing his report, Gen. Macarthur
after speaking of the esta blishment of a
republican form of government in the is
lands, says:
Future CT the Islands,
in the light of existing conditions # is
difficult to realize that there is any nossi
blllty. of such a future for the islands.
especially SO as at present and for many
years to come The necessity of largo
American military and naval force is too
apparent to admit Of discussion. On the
other hand, however, there are many en-
cOuraglng conditions to sustain such q
conviction. For example, in the Philip
pines there is 70 dynasty to destroy: no
organized system of feudal laws to eradi-
cate; no principles inconsistent with re-
publicanism which had solidly insin-
uated themselves into the national
life to displace; no adverse as
poets of nature to overcome On
the contrary, nature, which is exuber-
ant, balmy and generous. has nourished
into existence several millions of sensi- |
tive and credulous people, without allegi- |
ance to any existing Institutions, but ami
mated by certain inchoate ideas and as
pirations, which by some unfortunate per-
version of thought they conceive to be
threatened by America. These people.
fortunately, are intelligent, generous and
flexible, and probably will yield quickly
and with absolute confidence to tuition
and advice when thoroughly informed of
American institutions and purposes.
LAS future thought in the same di-
rection, it may be suggested that the |
Aryan races are making their way back
into the old continent. which as a conse-
quence is likely, within a generation
more, to become the theater of gigantic
political activities. Up to this time the
practical effect of republican institutions
has not been considered in this connec-
ton, but the rapid extension of Repub-
lican civilization in these islands. which
is not only possible but nrohahle of |