The Atlanta constitution., 1901-02-11
Macarthur Warns Filipinos.

General MacArthurs proclamation to
the Filipinus calls attention to frequent
violations OF important provisions of the
laws of war" After quoting sections Of
these laws General Macarthur continues:
The present necessity for alludlng to
the laws of war arises from the fact that
many proclamations, recently issued by
insurgent commanders. threaten punish
ment against all native inhabitants OF oc-
cupied places. and that the mandates or
insurgent officers TO kidnap and asSassi-
nate residents OF occupied towns. have
been successfully executed. Notice Is ac-
cordlngly given to insurSent leaders al
ready committed to. or who may be con-
temnating such a system of warfare that
the practice thereof will necessarily
terminate the possibility of those en-
gaging therein returning to normal civic
relations or the Philippines. That is 70
say. persons charged with violation of
the laws of war above enumerated. must
sooner or later be tried for feloniouS
crimes. with all the attending possibilities
of conviction. or. as an only means or
escape therefrom, must become fugltiVe
criminals beyond the jurisdiction of the
United States. which In effect means me-
long expiration.
No Supplies for Insurgents.
"When. as is known 10 be the case in
many places occupied by United States
troops secret committees are permitted to
exist and to act in behalf of the so-called
insurgent government by collecting sup
plies recruiting men and sending military
information to the insurSent camps, IL IS
not only difficult to afford adequate pro-
lection, but the well disposed people VINO.
from a sense of timidity or misplaced
sympathy for neiShbOrss persist in screen
ing these committees. in effect oner them
selves as easy victims to be Dlundered
and murdered. and also expose themselves
TO the danger of being classified and tried
as war traitors against the United states.
"The practice of sending supplies TO IN
the United States, as is now tine case.
must cease Ii coutUmaciOus or faint
hearted persons continue to engage in
this traffic. they must be prepared TO an
swer for their actiO'
"Thefe remarks apply with special force
to the city of Manila which is well known
as a rendezvous from whlch an extensive
correspondence Is distributed 70 all parts
OF the archipelago By sympathizers with
and by cmssaries OF the lnSurrecJlon. All
persons in Manila or elsewhere are again
reminded that any contribution oI duFIce'
Information or supplies. and all corre-
spoudence, the effect of which Is 10 give
aid support. encouragement or comfort
to the armed opposition in the neld. are
tlaerant violations OF American interests,
and persons so engaged are warned 10
conform to the laws which apply to oc-
cupied places as herein set forth
Newspapers Warned.
The newspapers of Manila are waraed
against seditious articles and the procla-
nation continues:
MEN who participate in hostilities with
out being part of regularly organized
force diVest themselves of the characfAe
of soldiers and. If captured. &.- not en-
titled to the privilege of prisoners OF war.
II is well known that many OF the Oc-
cunied towns support and encourage men
who habitually assume the Semblance or
neaceful pursuits. but who have arms MD
den outside of the town and periodically
slim out to take part in guerilla warfare.
'''Fhe people of the archipelago are now
instructed as to the precise nature OF the
law applicable in such cases ana are
warned to mistrust leaders VINO not only
require soldiers to expose themselves 10
ne ordinary vicissitudes of campaign. but
insist upon duties that necessarily expose
ali who engage therein to the possibility
OF trial for capital oltehSe.
Pacification Slow.
"The general situation" in reference to
efforts toward pacifcation of the Philip
Mines NAV be summed up in two words.
namely. SLOW progress" The fact that
nropress ls being made is fully apparent,
bnt that it is slow is equally undeniable.
In taking stock on the threshold of the
co,turv the CONQUEST of the Philippines is
found to b., still very far from actual ac-
complishment, with no eye-WltnesSeS or
the conflict willing to hazard opinion as
10 n time when even an approximate gen
eroI neace is to be established. Such is
,ha concensus of the views gathered by
,ho Arsociated Press from military and
civil officials of high and lesser rank and
from soldiers. sailors and citizens