New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-03
CONCENTRATION HUMANE
GENERAL BELL EXPLAINS HIS POLICY
IN BATANGAS.
[BY TELEGRAPH To THE rR1BUSE.I

Washington. June 1.-THE following extract is
taken from letter by General J. F. Bell, dated
Batangas, Batangas Province, April 10 1t was
written without any intention of publication. and
the recipient, Professor George F. Becker of
the United States Geological Survey. takes the
responsibility for making it public General
Bell says:
He (Buencamino) tell all about my policy
in Batangas and its results, something l have
not the time to write about at length; but you
can rest assured that when the truth is known
there will be absolutely nothing for the ad-
which the most ardent anti-imperialiSts could
justly be ashamed of. The people came vOlun-
tarily into zones of protection, in order to be
protected against inlpositiOns and barbarous out
RACES by outlaws, people of bad character and
criminal antecedents, who have been masquerade
ing under the paraphernalia of patriotism. There
has been absolutely no hunger on the contrary,
they have had more to eat than usual at this
season OF the year AS you well know, among
the improvident poor there times each year
when they are very hungry. There has been
hunger this year in this province or in Laguna.
We have vaccinated over three hundred thou
sand persons, and a consequence have
not had the annual epidemic of smallpox;
besides this, the sick have been attended to by
our doctors. and given food and medicine free
of cost.
But the best thing of all is that. as 1 am
writing to you, Malvar is a fugitive hiding in
the mountains. accompanied by his family, but
without single armed companion, and being
searched for by many troops and several thou
sand native volunteers. who want to catch him
in order to put an end to trouble in their prov
ince The instruction here is absolutely dead
at present There still some guns out
buried in secret places, but we hope in time
to discover and secure them. A large majority
Of the people have already returned to peace
full homes without fear of assassination or the
necessity of paying involuntary tribute. Before
You receive this letter peace will be COM
pletely restored. and all people in their homes
This Will all have been completed in four
months-January. February, March and April.
We have already secured nearly three thousand
hum ~a6 Grpn ayo6 will a
several hundred more.
The policy which has been pursued here is
absolutely the only which could have &C
complished such results Well knowing the
views of the American people on the concentra-
ton in Cuba. you readily believe that it has
been time of great anxiety to me. However
I thought the matter for a month. l
finally became thoroughly convinced that l
could not bring peace to these people and fulfil
my obliga tions to the government in any other
way. Once convinced of this, l hesitated not
for q moment; for I clearly realized that If
from fear of personal consequences 1 shirked
adopting the only measure that could pacify the
province and defeat the purposes of the igno-
rant and INSCRIPTIONS outlaws, who We're keep
ing UP the war in order to enrich themselves.
I should only be fafthless TO my sense or
duty to the government and to these people. but
outrage my conscience and lose my self-respect
by being morally guilty Of contemplate cow
ardice.
I have no time to write you at greater length,
for no one has ever been buster, and no one
has carried in the Philippine Islands a greater
weight of care and responsibility than l have
borne fer several months. knowing my dispO-
sition and kindly feeling toward the natives
full well. you will have difficulty in under
standing that the necessity for severe measures
has been a source OF distress TO me. The only
consolation I can derive is by keeping my
thoughts on the end and object in view. When
one has worked faithfully. conscientiously and
unselfshly for his country in a health Destroy
ing climate for four years without relaxation or
rest II is somewhat disCouraging not to say
distressing, to find that even some Of his own
countrymen appear TO have no confidence in his
motives Judgment integrity. l expect to
make a report OF my stewardship soon. and as
l hope my courtrymen may some time learn the
truth from that (and from these people them
selves after tranquility has been restored, and
after they have begun TO enjoy a freedom from
molestation and sense Of security which they
have never enjoyed before in their lives). 1
fairly content strong in the conviction that time
and thorough knowledge thereof will justify my
acts
CABLE TO MANILA INTERRUPTED.
The Western Union Telegraph Company to-
day issued the following notice
The cable between Hong Kong and Manila IS
interrupted. Telegraphic communication with