The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-08-13
sCHWAN on
M Dtst,pguished Philippine Fighter Tell,
Some Interesting Facts About the Com
nander.in-Chief OF Our Forces In China.


-
ns Distinguished Philippine Fighter Tells
Some Interesting Facts About the Com
nander. in-Chief Of Our Forces In China.
CAPR MAY. N. j.. Aug. 1.-THE American
people can rest assured that whatever ~eIigencv
may demand swift judgment while our troops
are on Chinese soil Gen. Adna r. Chaiee viii
know how 10 uphold the dignity Of the nation.
No better man could possibly have been Sc
lected for the post Of Commander-in Chief Of
the American forces in China"
This from a brother onlcer. a distinguished
campaigner. a soldier who for more than TWEEN
ty-hvA years has followed the military career
Of the man who now has before him q task OF
greatest magnitude.
Gen. Theodore Schwan. q. 8. A.. recently
returned from the Phil ppines. this evening
expressed himself In unmistakable terms when
asked for an estimate Of Gen. Chaffee. There
was a ring Of emphasis In his voice when the
aggressive Filipino fighter replied TO q number
OF direct questions. Evidently II was more than
personal pride Of acquaintance which made
Gen. Schwan express himself IA he did. The
knowledge that In Chaflee the country could
rest confidence apparently prompted the other
wise exceedingly ~reticent General 10 speak.
Yes militarily considered, We have somewhat
grown up together. Gen. Schwap continued
as. seated In the lobby'o the Hotel Stockton,
he discussed with your correspondent the latest
dispatches from China. I'VE were Captains
together In northern TeIas during those day.
In the early To- when the Indians gave the
country considerable uneasines. Chanee Ia a
man with an indomitable will power. When
he sets out 10 do q thing he almost knows be-
forehsnd whether success or failure will crown
the effort.
This quality In his makeup he once more
demonstrated during the campaign In Cuba.
As for my personal knowledge Of ChaYee. there
now arises before me the reminiscent picture Of
the Indian campaigns-the days when we had
10 do with an enemy who was perfeot master Of
himself and the topography OF his country.
"ChaYee was stationed at Fort GriHen. Tex,
at the time when affairs with the redskins Ger
tainly looked threatening. Not only did the
Staked Plains Indians give US trouble.
but the Indians from The Territories we're
maraudlng in small bands. which proved
exceptionally dinlult to locacte. I am rather
anxious, to know what operations win be
required by Gen. Chahee's forces a. part
OF the allied troops. But while warfare against
the Boxer and the indians must Of necessity.
the eIpeI ence gained by our leader In the past
will stand him in good stead during the present
campaign OF RELIEF IN nina.
"Chaffee went through the Civil War and rosa
from the ranks, The Indian troubles lasted up
to within about ten years ago and Chaffee was
sss shssa. y, i known ,Tnrt ss one %. d sa tine pest Is ,,t ind Liam
for his personal qualities a. well as for his sol
dierly Qualifications.
which gives him strength and endurance with
out superf1uity OF structure He has a splendid
eye for country. BY that l mean that he a.
once seizes on the salient features OF the
nnpDrQnhy-fh nna QTpaf rannlslta in n NDin-
try perhaps unknown to the commander. It Is
a sort, OF lntuition-hl s looking over. a
win prove a serious hinderance to operations in
There. WILL be no .~tarryins with Chares In
command Of his own forces.
While sorry for the losses sustained BY our
troops during the recent battle. yet. I am glad
that II was given to our soldiers TO demonstrate
American soldiers now in China will be found
to do their country honor.
"Chafee served for some YEAR, a. Inspector
General Of the Department OF Arizona and
here. too, the Indian question confronted him.
The man desire always to 20 to TIE bottom OF
things L. Perh3Rs, one OF ms h. chief S eha5SaGter,
puzzle will not remain half solved. But. dis
ciplinarian a. he To-. he will also know What Is
best for common interests, especially where 80
many international questions are bound up
The last indian campaign participated in by
bin believe was IL 1890, WHEN TIE Bsnnock
flulfII aIu Oth'I ~ v ~ Ahtii
Hall and Fort wa.hekes Reservations il dsa-
ance of Government orders and IL was Chaffee's
tons. They had taken up a strong position near
Jackson's Hole, but Chafee. who had charge Of
a squadron Of the Ninth Cavalry. was not to be
trihed with, The Indians were taught a lesson
Before the Spanish American War. or rather
at the outbreak Of hoetllitiss, Chaffee was LEU
tenant-Colonel Of cavalry. He was one OF the field
officers whom President Mckinley appointeda
manded in the Santiago campaign a brigade Of
Infantry in Lawton's division. II was Chafee's
brigade which made that Anal charge which re-
suited in the capture Of Fl Caney:
turned the eyes Of experts on this daring Dam:
paigner, No greater compliment could BE- paid
q soldier than the estimate Of Chahee furnished
BY Can't. Lee Of the British Royal Artillery. who
Gen. Skaters expedition. Capt. Lee In a Heading
review article pointed out that as q reconnoitrer
OF terrain his equal would be hard to find. Do
you appreciate what this means in . country
Following the signing Of the peace protocol
and the withdrawal OF the regular troops from
Santiago ChaYee. who had been promoted
Major-General. was assigned to the oompand
on he was detailed chief OF staff to Major.Gen.
Brooke, Division OF Cuba. In which capa city. he
served for more than a year and until after
Major-Gen. Wood took charge. when relieved
At his " request he returned to the United
when the Boxer troubles beganit was CON-
coded on all hands that no filter man could be
sent to the Orient. As for his work 70 come, he
which will reflect honor not only on himself but
Gen. Schwan did not care TO commit himself
A. to his " plans for the future.