The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1902-01-21
MUST Be FRIEND OR FlE.
Gen. Bell Will Unsparingly Pursue
Every Insurgent In Batangas
Province, South Of Manila.
MARTIAL LAW IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

lea wall be Concentrated In GarrisOna
and Every Suspect Caught WIN BE sum
naarily Executed In Hunting GuerrllIas
B-'diers Must Take Legitimate Chances.
Washington, Jan. 2i.-Having failed
after two years strife in subduing the
psurrection in Batangas province,
which lies just south Of Manila, and
having satisfied himself that lenient
treatment of the insurgents is pro-
ductive of no good results, Gen. j.
Franklin Bell, the military command
er in that province, has determined
on the enforcement Of the war in the
most vigorous and determined fash
ion, involving the recommendation in
modified form, the application Of
martial law in al directions. and the
unsparing pursuit and punishment Of
the natives who act as spies and
traitors to the United States.
The reconcentration provides for
the establishment Of zone around
the garrisons in which the friendly in
habitants arc 20 be required to come
under penalty Of confiscation and de-
struction Of their property. This is
said 70 be necessary TO prevent the
collection of forced contributions
from the inhabitants by the insur-
gents. The military officers are al
lowed 20 fix the price Of necessaries Of
life, aud il is promised that the peo-
pie may return as soon as peaceful
conditions are established.
Gen. Ben directs the application Of
General Order No. 100, in force during
the civil war in the United States,
which practically regards an insur-
gent as n guerrilla and outside the
pale Of civilized warfare. and subject
10 the death penalty wherever such
insurgent does not engage continu-
ousiy in the war and observe all the
rules Of war However, it is provided
that there shall be no executions
without the approval Of a superior
officer. Commanding officers are es-
peciaiiv enioined to encourage young
officers IN hunting down the insur-
gents, aud e is pointed out that there
is no Just cause for exceptional eau
tion or apprehension in attacking in-
surgent bodies wherever found. At
any rate. under existing conditions,
legitimate chances should be accept \
ed, says Gen. Bell, as excessive caution
viii do the army incalculable harm.
The best defense against the insur-
gents. he says, is to assume a vigorous
offensive at once-to retire in the
presence Of the enemy is hazardous
and discouragine.
A special Injunction is laid on the (
commanders Ia hunt down through
loyal spies secret sympathizers with
an@A contributors to the rebellion.
many Of whom win be found among
municipal officers. Cen. Bell saws
that Malsar and other insurgent
leaders have dictated elections of all
town officials in Batangas and La
suna. and these town councils meet
and pass resolutions denouncine the
while secretly inform
ng the insurgents that this is done
inder compulsion and supplying them
with Information. Therefore. Gen.
Pen declares that neutrality should
rot be tolerated; every inhabitant
'hould be either an active friend or
'e classed as an enemy and acts. not
words. must be made the test Chief
md most important among the class
# disloyal persons. he says. are the
iatire Catholic priests. Gen. Bell de-
lares il IS practically certain that
very priest in Batangas and Laguua
PROVINCES is a secret enemy of The
.oftrnmenf and in active sympathy
.ith the Insurgents.