The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-11-23
TELLS OF WAR IN LUZON.'
Gen. Macarthur Reviews Situation
in the Philippines in Report
to War Department.
GUERRILLA WAR CAUSES MOST TROUBLE
Speaks I'm Highest Terms of Service
by Troops Amid Labors and Hard
ships-Says FiIipinos Are Not War
like or observation-disclosures
ment Seems to BE Far OF.

Washington Nov. 12.-Maj. Gen. Arthur
Macarthur, commanding the army in the
Philippines and military governor of the
Islands since May5, 1900, has submitted MS
report to the war department. A consid-
cradle portion of the report relates to
events which took place previous TO the
date when he assumed command, ana ne
publishes some of the correspondence and
proclamations of the Filipinos obtained be-
fore that time He refers to the change in
Aguinaldo's plans in abandoning his army
organization and starting guerrilla war
fare. The conditions of the country have
afforded advantages for such a policy, he
says as they have enabled the insurgents
to appear and disappear at their con-
venience. AT one time they are soldiers,
and Immediately after are within the Amer
ican fines in the attitude Of peaceful ma
tives A widely scattered formation or
Filipinos quickly followed the guerrilla
warfare which led to a corresponding dis
semination of American troops, there be-
ing SO military stations in the archipelago
November /, 1899, and 413 stations Septem-
Der ], 1900. This resulted in large num-
Der of minor ARRAYS, many of which did
not assume the dignity OF regular COM
bat, though the casualties between the.
dates stated were 26S Americans killed, $50
wounded and IS captured; the Filipino
losses during the same time being BIZ
killed, 694 wounded and 1854 captured. Gen.
Macarthur says the extensive distribution
of troops has strained the soldiers or 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 concentrated
field forces of insurrectionists. Gen. Mac
Arthur speaks in the highest terms of the
service rendered by the troops amid all
labors and hardships.
Filipinos Not a WarIike People.
''are not warlike or ferocious people
Left TO themselves a large number of them
would gladly accept American supremacy,
which they are gradually coming to under
stand means individual liberty and abso-
lutte security in their lives and property.
They have been maddened, however, dur
ing the past five years by rhetorical sophis-
try, and stimulants applied to national
pride, until power of discriminating in mat
tiers of public concern or private interest
has been almost entirely suspended. AS
substitute for all other considerations the
people seem to be actuated by the idea that
in all doubtful matters of politics or war
men are never nearer right than when go
ing with their own kith and kim regardless
of consequences"
This condition, he says, has raised diff
culties and distractions in pacification.
Gen. Macarthur quotes captured CORE
spondence to show the efforts of the insur-
gent leaders to intimidate and control the
people. He declares that the guerrilla bands;
could not exist except for the support they
receive from the towns. He says that the
education of the Filipinos will tend to Sc
cure their submission, but indicates that
this will take great deal of time and
patience and an adequate force.
Regarding Government of Islands.
In closing his report, Gen. Macarthur,
after speaking of the establishment of a
republican form of government in the
islands, says:
"In the light of existing conditions it is
difficult to realize that there is any posi-
bility of such a future for the Islands, es-
pecially so as at present, and for many
years to come, the necessity of large
American military and naval force is too
apparent to admit of discussion. On the
other hand, however, there are many en-
couraging conditions to sustain such con-
viction. For example. in the Philippines
there is no dynasty to destroy; no organ
lied system of feudal laws to eradicate; no
principles inconsistent with republicanism,
which had solidly insinuated themselves
into the national life, to displace; no adj
verse aspects of nature to overcome. On
the contrary, nature, which is exuberant,
balmy and generous, has nourished into ex-
istence several millions of sensitive and
credulous people, without allegiance to any
existing institutions, but animated by GER
tain inchoate ideas and aspirations, which
by some unfortunate perversion of thought
These people. fortunately, are intelligent,
generous and flexible and probably VIII
yield quickly and with absolute confidence
to tuition and advice when thoroughly in
formed of American institutions and pur-
poses.