The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-28
WALLER IN SAMAR.
Story of His DOings Told in
Gen. Heywood's Report.

Washington. Oct 2s.-Major General
Charles Haywood, commandant of the
q. S. marine corps. in his annual re-
port to the secretary of the navy, SAYS
it 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 serv-
ice to two years, that being as long as
it is advisable 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,
islands of rowing bands of ladrones.
The report gives in detail the opera
lions of Major Waller in Samar. Major
Waller is quoted as saying that the ex-
petitions early in November in the
Sohoton district were the most impor-
tant of the campaign. so far as their
effect on the insurgents was concerned
A graphic account is given of the op-
erations of the main expedition in the
Sohoton district. The attack was on the
fortified cliffs and caves in the noun
tains. which had been reported to be
almost impregnable. The plan of at
to unite and be Joined by a river col
umn under Major Waller. Concerning
the results of the attack the report says:
On the 18th OF November the shore
was followed, and the detachments soon
came upon a number of bamboo guns.
One of these commanded the trail and
mad the fuse burning, and Acting Cor
poraI Harry Glenn rushed forward and
pulled out the fuse. The attack of the
marines was a perfect surprise and the
enemy was completely routed thirty be-
ing killed. After driving the insurgents
from their position the troops crossed
the river. scaled the cliffs on the oppo-
site side and destroyed the camps there.
The enemy fired two volleys and then
ned Major Waller says that he him
self was not in this attack being in the
river below and unable to reach the
firing line in time but he mentions Cap
talns Porter and Bears as being entitled
to the highest credit for the eourag eous
and skillful manner in which they
routed the enemy in the face of appar-
emily insurmountable obstacles.
In order to reach the enemy's position,
the troops mad to climb the cliffs which
rise sheer from the river to the height of
about 200 feet and are honeycombed with
| caves, to which access is had by means
of bambo ladders and also by narrow
lodges with bamboo hand rails. Tons OF
rocks are suspended in cages, held in
position to be precipitated upon people and
boats below. Instant destruction would
have been the fate of the boats had they
undertaken the ascent of the river before
the shore column had dislodged the in
surgents.
1.-The effect of the capture of this last
stronghold upon the insurrectos of Samar
cannot DE overestimated, as they had
spent years of labor upon the defenses."
The report contains an account of the
march of 100 miles across Samar of
Major Waller and his men and of the in
credible hardships they endured. The COM
mand was engaged actively and contin-
uously against the insurgents for three
months.
General Haywood urges the enactment
of the measure introduced in the last con-
gress providing for an increase in the Off
GERS and enlisted men of the Marine corps.
He recommends the erection at Philadel-
phia of fireproof depot of supplies at a
cost of $4,000 the present leased quarters
being entirely inadequate and unsafe. He
says, too, that the present quarters in
Washington are old and unsanitary and
have been condemned by board of medi-
cal officers of the navy. Preliminary
steps have been taken to erect new bar
racks at Norfolk, Va, at a cost of $780,
900. General Haywood renews his previous
recommendation that congress appropriate
literally for marine barracks and quarters
at the Charleston, S. c., naval station
The report says that the native inhabit-
ants in Guam are making gratifying pro-
gress in acquiring a knowledge of the
English language.