Morris tribune., 1901-10-26
THE PERILS OF SAMAR.
Army Officer Tells Of Difficulties
Of Campaigning.
THE NATIVES NUMBER 100000.

THE NATIVES NUMBER 100000
Their Character Not Well Under
stood, Says Lieutenant Colonel
simpson, who Ii In Charge of the
Military Information Division.
Probable Campaign PLANS.
Lieutenant Colonel William A. Simp-
son, assistant adjutant general, in
charge of the military information di-
vision, writing from Washington to the
New York Herald, says:
In order to get clear idea Of the con-
ditions in Samar some account Of the
physical features OF the island is essen
tial. 1t is the most easteriy of the Vi
sayan group 1t has superficial area
of about $500 miles, about 500 more
than the state e Connecticut. It's great
est length, from northwest to south
east, is about $50 miles, and It's great
est breadth, from east to west, is about
seYenty-fve miles. Next to Luzon and
Mindanao it is the largest island in the
Philippines.
The interior is very mountainous and
heavily wooded. The coast line is very
Irregular. The island is well watered
by rivers rising in the mountains and
running to the coast. The island is al
most destitute Of roads. Under these
conditions it will be easily seen that
commerce is carried on almost entirely
by water The products raised in the
interior are brought down to the towns
on the coast in small boats and thence
shipped to Manila.
Up to within a short time ago there
were but few garrisons in the island,
and they were as a rule on or near the
coast. While hostfEties were in active
progress in LuZon and some Of the 9TH
er islands, Samar was comparatively
troops in the Philippines, received by
mail and dated Jan. 1, 1901, showing
but six garrisoned posts.
When civil government was installed
in the Philippines, Samar was one of
the few provinces left to military rule,
and now that comparative quiet has
been restored to most of the rest of the
archipelago systematic efforts will be
made to bring about order IN samaP.
The troops now known TO be in the
island consist of the Ninth infantry
except one company in China, the First
infantry, four companies Of the Sew
enth infantry and some native scouts
probably not to exceed $50.
Late press reports state that a battal-
ion of the Sixth infantry is under or
ders to go. This would make about
5000 troops, all infantry, as the eharac-
ter of the country is such that cavalry
cannot be used.
The country is about as difficult a
one in which to conduct military opera
tons by land as can be imagined. With
heavily wooded with thick
underDrush and no roads the only usu-
al means Of transport is by water. In
going overland trail would have to be
cut for almost the entire distance and
weuld need much care to keep it clear. !
The attack on Company @ Of the |
Ninth infantry at Balangiga and the |
more recent affair on the Gandara riv- |
or have attracted special attention to |
The condition of affairs in Samar. In |
regard to the latter but meager details |
1t the present writing have been re- |
,eived. In regard to the former there
seems to have been surprise. No |
where more than in the Philippines is
he saying true, "Unceasing vigilance
S the price Of safety"
The number of natives in Samar is
estimated at nearly 100000. Their
character is not well understood. They
re willing to do anything that seems
It the time best to advance their inter-
sts. They may live for months in the
Of troops and seem to ac-
ept the situation, admitting that
American rule is what is best for them
nd taking the cath of allegiance. They
nay be sincere or they may be wearing
mask, waiting for the first opportu-
ity to throw it off and change from
migos to enemigos.
1t would seem as If the garrison at
Ialangiga had been led to believe that
IL the udUlF0Se III the fFlClulIy were
riendly. The only safe procedure is to
AIRY on in the island a steady system
tic series of operations to thoroughly
ubdue the malcontents and make it to
heir interests to lay aside the bolo.
Somewhat similar conditions have
eretofore existed in the neighboring
isayan islands, Leyte and Panay. In
eyte, little more than half as large
5 Samar, there were about 1900
oops. An active campaign was car
ed on. Parties were constantly in the
cid. In fifteen months there were
YER 400 separate engagements, large
nd small. Road building was carried
a continually and as rapidly as posi-
lie.
Panay is somewhat smaller than Sa-
lar. The methods were similar to
lose in Leyte. About 1000 troops
ere In the field, and active operations
sted about two years. Both these is !
nds are now comparatively quiet, and
vii government has been established
i