Evening star., 1902-04-25
TRIBUTES TO TROOPS
Philippine Towns Want Off
GERS to Remain.
PETITIONS RECEIVED
PRESENCE OF SOLDIERS DECLAR-
ED TO BE NECESSARY.
High Praise Bestowed Upon Those in
Command - Correspondence Sent
to Senate Committee.
PETITIONS RECEIVED

The War Department today transmitted
TO Senator Lodge, chairman of the Senate
committee on Philippine affairs, mass of
correspondence relating to the situation in
the Islands, The correspondence consists
of over half a hundred petitions from ma
tive sources asking the retention of United
States troops at various points in the
archipelago. The petitioners declare that
by the presence of American troops In their
respective localities they are insured
humane treatment, protection and the
maintenance of peace and good order In
many cases the petitions refer to indi-
vidual American officers whom the natives
have learned to admire and respect. and
to whom they look for protection and JUS
tice. In several instances also the petit
tioners ask that American troops be not
replaced by native scouts.
General Kobbe called the attention OF
Secretary Root some time ago to the fact
that many petitions of the above tenor
we're being received by department COM
manders in the Philippines.
Petitions Forwarded.
General Chaffee was cabled to send all
such communications to the War Depart
ment, and those sent to the Senate today
are all that have been received here up to
date
In the department of Mindanao and Jolo
petitions were received from the 1OnO"lnS
towns: Matt, BaSanba, Caraga. Davao,
Gotta Bato, Zamboanga, Misamis, Cagayan
and JolO. All of these excepting the last,
are Filipino communities that were garri-
soned by two regiments of United States
volunteers.
Governor Taft was asked personally at
ZambOanga, and probably elsewhere TO
have the officers in command retained.
The Situation at Davao
In forwarding a translation of a petition
received from the municipal council at
Davao. General Kobbe says: From my
personal knowledge of the people and of
Major Liggett, l know that the petition is
not based sentimental considerations,
but on the situation as exists there, and
on the serious convictions of the petition
ers.
LAS relevant thereto. I forward also here
with Major Liggett's latest report, request
ing it's return to this office. 1t deserves the
careful perusal of the jor general COM
manding the division.
''AH races in Mindanao and some from
other Islands are represented a Davao. It
has furnished, and will continue to fur
nlsh, problems of a kind that, If not met as
Major Liggett meets them. may be a source
OF infinite trouble and expense to the United
States, and that cannot be met by relays
of short-service troops. 1 therefore ear
nestly second the petitioners request.
Davao should. in my opinion, be ultimately
held by one company of troops. preferably
the latter, and l hope that 1t may be possi-
BILE TO retain Major Liggett in command
He knows nothing of the petition, nor has
he ever expressed wish to remain at
Davao. He is a captain. 9TH United States
Infantry
Officers Highly Praised.
The municipal officers of Pulilan In the
name and in behalf of the citizens of the
same with due respect say:
Learning with regret that the soldiers
that garrison this ruehlO arc be rpoyed
TO another point while deferrlng with the
greatest respect to your orders We should
fail in our loyalty unless We represented to
you the necessity of these troops remaining
here
The officers now stationed In this pueblo
by their blameless conduct and uncommon
amiability have merited without soliciting
IL the approba tiOn and good will of the peo-
pie and their departure is the cause of great
surprise as we'll as pain. We also desire
to represent that this pueblo is of great ex-
tent. and the officers now here are familiar
with the country and by their ability, not
withstanding the small number of soldiers.
have been able TO Illustrate the intentions
OF those who wish to disturb the TRANQUIL
lity of the neighborhood, supplying by their
diligence. ability and valor the small num-
Der of soldiers. These officers have already
great confidence In their power to defend
us from the attacks of those outside. We
pray that 1t will not be necessary to re-
move these officers, in View of the critical
situation in which find ourselves and
the peculiar state Of this pueblo
Retention of Officers Supplicated.
The municipal president and members of
the town OF San Antonio, Laguna, p l., In
the name Of the people of that town re-
specuully state that they have learned that
Capt Charles Crawford and his officers
OF the 10Th Infantry. comma nding troops in
Paete, p l.. and the adjoining districts
Will leave within the present month for the
United States, or as soon as other troops
arrive here 10 relieve them TSey will tins
leave this and the other weN governed
towns. which the military so peacefully
govern by means of their just qualities for
which this province of Laguna since the
surrender of General Cailles. has observed
a remarkable tranquility due TO upright
Judgment and good ideas of these officers
therefore We are very sorry for the de-
parture of said officials: the people of this
town want to atone their pacificators and
worthy heroes of the United States govern
ment and protection have been very salts
factory and worthy mention. as also their
predecessors To you respectfully sup
pncate that If possible these officers re-
main and continue their officials. Hoping
our application will receive favorable con-
sideraton. are
hE