The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-28
THE WORK In SAMAR
Annual Report Of Major General
Haywood of the United States
Marine Corps.
Story of the Attack on Fortified
Cliffs and Caves Supposed to
/ Be Impregnable.

Washington, Oct. 2s-Major General
Charles Haywood, commandant of the
United States marine corps in his annual
report to the secretary Of the navy, says
1t Is his policy to keep the officers and
men OF his command In the Philippines
only two years and half, returning them
after such service to this country. He
hopes to reduce this term Of service to
two years, that being as long as it is ad-
Vlsable to keep them in that climate.
During the past year. while there have
been practically no demonstrations in the
Philippines by organized insurgents, the
marines, says General Haywood, have
done excellent work in Kidding the islands
OF rowing bands Of Ladrones.
Operations In Samar
The report presents in detail the opera
lions of Major Waller and his courageous
band Of marines on the coast Of southern
Samar. Major Waller is quoted say
Ing that the expeditions early last No
vember in Schoton district were the most
important Of the campaign, so far as their
effect on the insurgents were concerned. A
graphic account is given Of the opera tons
Of the main expedition in the schoton
district The attack was on the fortified
ellis and caves In the mountains which
had been reported to be practically i'm
presnable. The plan Of attack was that
two shore columns were to unite at the
eHeluS StIonSnOlQ ana De joined tner6 by
o river column under Major Waller. Con-
corning the result Of the attack the re-
port says:
'On the 18th Of December the shore COL
umn struck the enemy's trail, which was
followed and the detachments soon came
upon number Of bamboo guns. One of
these commanding the trail had the fuse
burning and Acting Corporal Harry Glenn
rushed forward and pulled out the fuse.
The attack Of the marines was a per-
rect surprise and the enemy was COM
petely routed, thirty being killed. After
driving the insurgents from their position
the troops crossed the river, scaled the
GIFTS on the opposite side and destroyed
the camps there. The enemy fred two
volleys and then fed. Major Waller says
that he himself was not in this attack,
being In the river below and unab BILE to
reach the firing line in time, but he men,
lions Captains Porter and Bearss as being
entitled to the highest credit for the
courageous and skilful manner in which
they routed the enemy in the face Of ap-
parently insurmountable obstacles.
The effect Of the capture of this last
stronghold upon the insurrectos of Samar
cannot be overestimated, as they had
spent years Of labor upon the defenses and
undoubtedly considered the cliff fortifica-
t1ons inpregnable.''
Inc report contains a report Of the
march OF 100 miles across Samar of Major
Waller and his men and Of the incredible
hardships they endured. The command
was engaged actively and continuously
against the insurgents for three months.
General Haywood strongly urges the en-
actment Of the measure introduced at the
last session Of congress providing for an
increase In the officers and enlisted men
OF the marine corps. He recommends the
erection at Philadelphia Of a fire-proof
depot of supplies at cost of $3.50, 900. the
present leased quarters being entirely in
adequate and unsafe
Preliminary steps have been taken to
erect new barracks at Norfolk, Va, at q.
cost Of 800, 900.
Inc report says that the native fnhab-
stants IN Cuba are making gratifying
progress I'm acquiring a knowledge of the
English language.