Evening star., 1902-01-30
CONQUERED THE FlLIPINOS
II sL
AMERICAN WOMEN MORE POTENT
THAN THE TROOPS.
Gen. Bell Writes of How They Have
Won the Hearts of the Natives
and ThusTworssed for Peace.

ana Ahus W0rs&ed for feace.
One American woman can contribute
mere to the reformation of the FilipiIfos
than any company of American men, sol
der or civilian. This statement is made in
personal letter received by Major General
ii. G. Corbin. adjutant general Of the army,
frcm Brigadier General j. F. Bell, COM
manding the first district of the department
of northern Luzon 2
The matter of having their families with
them," says General Bell, has been a
source of much discussion among officers
and much difference of opinion and policy
among their superiors. l think 1 am the
Only general officer who has always believ-
ed that permitting wives to join their hus-
bands would result in valuable service to
our political purposes.
Captured by American Women.
The Tagalos had industriously and cum
niDgly labored to create a widespread preju-
dice and false impression among the people
against the Americans, and the masses had
become thoroughly imbued with strong
prejudice against US. The occupation of
every town, and living in intimate contact
WIN them soon demonstrated that the Tag
aloS had lied, but the most potent influence
IN convincing the people of their error was
always an American woman, according to
my observation. Wherever one went with
ner husband she contributed more to the
reformation of their misguided ideas than
any company of men, for she appealed di-
iectiy TO the women, who really exert more
n1iuence on public opinion than men, In my
oiu volunteer regiment, the 36th Infantry.
tnere were twelve young women. wives of
omcers. encouraged them to go with their
huspands to. the towns they were COM
manding, and the people soon became per-
t. tl:.~
quite SO winning young, kind-hearted
american woman. When they left to re-
turn home with their husbands the people,
irrespective of age or sex, wept like chill
dfen 1 have always believed that these
twelve young women did more to gain the
commence of the people than the soldiers
OF the1r husbands companies Soldiers can
MAINTAIN order through fear of their power,
pus they cannot win the hearts of the
people. VIII give you some examples:
A Touching Example.
In very isolated small town where an
sympathetic kind-hearted and independent,
good looking western girl, there was a fu-
neral soon after her arrival of a baby,
whose mother was a poor and humble but
respected woman. This young American
girl, uninvNed and even unable to talk to
the people, attended the funeral, and talk.
ing the mothers arm followed behind the
poor little baby as it was being carried to
the cemetery.
These are a very undemontrative people
who accept good and bad fortune in much
the same stoical fashion. They are fond of
their children, but not given to making
much show of feeling. A birth, marriage,
an occasion for holiday and feasting, one
Of the relics of ,barbarism which still sur
vlVes The poor mother had displayed no
Ieehng Whatever on account of the death
OF her BABY until while standing beside the
young American, she observed her silently
sheod1ng tears as the grave was being fill
ed Then breaking down completely, she
turned to her young companion sobbing ex-
cialmed, on, sonora, no mas pickaniny,'
an endearing term picked up from Ameri-
cans. This one touch Of nature had made
them kin.
AS the case among all humble people of
narrow environment, this simple act of the
officer's wife spread rapidly from mouth to
mouth until 1t was known and discussed
along the whole countryside.
native priest Of neighboring town.
who attended the funeral, gave me my first
account of the occurrence, and remarked
that the people had concluded that Ameri-
cans could not all be bad when they had
such women. He explained that the Span-
ish women had always been very proud,
dOmineering and unsympathetic in their at
titude toward the common peopia and
would not have thought of doing such a
kindness.
Not SO Pathetic.
mot all the instances are SO pathetic in
character as this. Another young wife had
made friends with a number Of nice ma
tive women who conceived great adj
miration for her. All were anxious to EMU
late her and wanted to make clothing like
hers. She undertook to teach them. After
seeing her wardrobe they could not be sat-
isfied until they had corsets. She tried to
dissuade them, explaining that it was a
bad custom of Americans and Europeans.
but being convinced it was a necessary
step in civilization, it's being a bad Gus
tom made no difference to them. They
sent to Manila and got them
when telling me of this the young wo-
man remarked, at first 1 felt very regret
full that they should pick up a harmful Gus.
tom from me, but l fitted all of them very
loosely, and then. besides, like stockings
they only wear them as an ornament TO
balls and to church. and no harm will re-
suit to them When her husband was af
terward ordered away very nearly all the
Inhabitants of the town came to nv mead.
quarters to petition that this officer he
left with them, SO his wife would not have
to go away.
"A number of these young wives organ
lied classes in English, and others visited
the sick and helped the poor. Their sta
tions were so isolated they were driven to
making friends with some one. and hecom-
ing acquainted great interest was aroused
in the poor people.
II hope you will pardon my inflicting such
a long letter upon you, / have always Rad
an absorbing interest in our problems here
and am apt to forget that others NAV moi
be as much interested in the details as
myself