River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-05-08
DESPERATE BATTLE.
American Troops Capture a Princi-
pal M orc Fort.
Remarkable GaIIantry and Grit Is
Displayed by the Boys in Blue
Eight Are KiIIed-MOro
Loss Heavy.

| Washington, May 5.-The war de-
| partment has received cablegram
from Gen. Chaffee indicating that
the campaign against Sultan Bayan.
one of the principal Moro chiefs, had
been completely successful. The result
was accomplished by a gallant assault
on the principal Moro fort and It's
capture after number of the leading
Moros had been killed. The cablegram,
which was received Sunday afternoon,
was as follows:
A Gallant Performance.
"Adjutant General, washington: The
| following is the full substance or Brig
| Gen. George w. Davis message from
| Bayan: 'Eighty-four survivors at Bay
| an surrendered Internationally TINS morn
| ing at seven. Sultan Bayan, RaJa Muda
/ Bayan, Sultan Pandapatan and all lead-
| ing Dattos dead and many OF their fol-
| lowers. Assault on the principal lott
| which surrendered last night one OF the
| most gallant performances OF American
| arms. Col. Frank D. Baldwin ana MS
regiment deserve all praise for hand TO
hand struggle in four lines of bitches
| under walls of fort These trenches are
| lined with Moro dead from rifle fire
| Have never seen or heard OF any per
| Torrance excelling this gallantry ana
| grit.
| American Losses.
| "It is my painful duty to report that
| the overthrow of Moro power was not
| accomplished without severe loss one OIL
| ticer and seven enlisted men were killed.
| four officers and 81 enlisted men were
| wounded. Will telegraph the list later
After "a survivors marched out TINS
| morning as prisoners, and it was under
| stood they were all, eight others VINO
| had concealed themselves in rubblsh,
| made a break for liberty; but none sue
| ceeded. Some Moro wounded tried to
| stab soldiers trying to help them. IL
| is impossible TO state the number OF
Moros killed; many lying in tall grass.
The surrender saves us from siege
and starving out. Impossible TO nave
| carried works without scaling ladders,
| which were ready. Intend to retain pr1s-
| oners until two or three small adjacent
| forts are occupied, then, with your con-
| sent, to retain as hostages eight or ten
| of the principals and release the others.
| The force in line of advance consisted
| of four mountain guns and 40 rifles.
| This fully sufficient. Could have used
more men adVantageously. Had we sent
strong column it would only have swelled
the casualty list. One neighboring Dat
| to has already presented himself as
| friend and l expect general coming
| in shortly, when the weight of the blow
| is Known. Inc dead sent TO Md1dDdnS
| for burial.
| MOrOs Completely Crushed.
Tn light or present knowledge, could
| have besieged the principal forts and in
| time forced surrender, but that would
probably have resulted in a sortie for
| freedom and escape for many. By at
| lacking them, they have been completely
cruShed-the only kind of q lesson these
| wild Moros seem to be able to profit by.
| Shall invite Sultan Tarlac to pay me
| friendly visit if he does not do so of his
| own initiative. He has fort further east
| in plain sight and of same strength as
was Bayan, on beautiful lakeland and
| 1000 acres of fine upland rice, and urging
people to return to it's cultivation. The
result to follow this action very inpor-
tant. Namely: 1t secures respect for
United States authority in the center of
-'tO' : 90 : 'cHAFFEE.'
Lieut.. DOvars Killed.
Manila, May 5.-Lieut. Dovars, of
the Twenty-seventh infantry, was
killed in the engagement at the fort.
Capt. Moore, of the same regiment,
was mortally wounded. Surgeon
Porter and Lieut.. Henry S. Wagner,
of the Fourteenth infantry, and
Lieut.. Jossman, of the Twenty-sev-
enth infantry, were severely wound
ed.
PIeases the President.
Washington, May 5.-The president
conferred for four hours Sunday night
with Secretary Root and Gov. Taft,
mainly concerning affairs in the Phil
ippines. The secretary and Miss Root
and Gov. Taft were guests at dinner
and remained at the white house I'M
til half past II o'clock. The dispatch
from Gen. Chaffee giving the result
of Gen. Davis campaign in Mindanao
was a source of great satisfaction to
the officials, although they regretted
exceedingly that it became necessary
to fight in order to compel submis-
sion to the American demands for
the surrender of those guilty of the
murder of the American soldiers. Sec
rotary Root declined to say whether
any additional instructions had been
given to Gen. Chaffee for his guild
ance. 1t is probable that Gen. Chat
fees future action will be left largely
to his own discretion. The president
has great respect for Gen. Chaffee's
tact. Gov. Taft was very well salts
fed with the latest news from Gen.
Chaffee. 1t was a cause for congrat-
ulation, he said. He believed the eff
feet of what had been accomplished
would be beneficent and would settle
affairs in Mindanao.
The president sent the following
congratulatory dispatch to Gen. Chat
fee:
washington, D. c. May 4, 1902-Chaf-
fee, Manila: Accept for the army under
your command, and express to Gen. Da-
Wis and Col. Baldwin especially, my con-
gra tulationS and thanks for the splendid
courage and fidelity which have again
carried our flag to victory. Your fellow
countrymen at home will ever honor the
memory of the fallen, and be faithful
to the brave survivors who have them
selves been faithful unto death for their
countrys sake.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Favors Rapid Naval Increase.
Washington, May 5.-Secretary of
the Navy Moody favors rapid increase
in the navy, both in number of ships
| and personnel. He also has pronounced
ideas on the duties of officers, and many
of those who are performing civilian
| duties at the department are likely
soon to be given sea duty.
| Twelve Thousand Jews Coming.
Vienna, May 5.-The Neue Freie
| Presse says that as the result of sys-
tematic persecution, 5000 Jewish fam
~. 1o,~,,o,;c;,-o. 80 mn perSouc will