The Topeka state journal., 1902-01-20
Reconcentrado Policy to Be
Tried in Batangas.
Gen. Bell Resorts to Spanish
Plan of Warfare.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 100
Insurgent Placed without Pale
of Civilized Warfare.
Made Subject to Death Penalty
Whenever Caught.

Washington, Jan. 20.-Having failed,
after two years strife in subduing the
insurrection in Batangas province.
which lies just south of Manila. and
having satisfied himself that lenient
treatment of the insurgents is produc-
tive of no good results, Gen. J. Frank
lin Bell. the military commander in
that province, has determined on the en-
forcement of the war in the most Wig
orous and determined fashion, involving
recommendation in a modified form, the
application of martial law in all direc-
tions, and the unsparing pursuit and
punishment of the natives, who act as
spies and traitors to the United States.
All this appears from a long report to
the war department just published. The
RECOMMENDATION order is dated at Ba-
tangaS, December last. In substance
it provides for the establishment of q
zone around the garrisons, into which
the friendly inhabitants are to be re-
quired to come under penalty of confis-
cation and destruction of their proper
ty. This is said to be necessary to pre-
vent the collection of forced cOntr1bu-
tions from the inhabitants by the in
surgents. The military officers are al
lowed to fix the price of necessaries of
life and it is promised that the people
may return as peaceful conditions ara
esta blished.
This order is followed by a long cir
manders, CONNIE menting existing con-
ditions and giving them advice how to
proceed. 1t begins with the statement
that he shares in the general conviction
that the insurrection continues because
the greater part of the people, espec-
tally the wealthier ones, do not really
want peace. He says it is regrettable
that the innocent must suffer with the
guilty but the greatest good to the
greatest number can be best brought
about by putting a prompt end to the
inc ton, ha
application of general order No. 100 IN
force during the civil war in the United
States, which practically regards an in
surgent as a guerrilla and outside the
pale of civilized warfare, and subject to
the death penalty wherever such fnsur-
gent does not engage continuously IN
the war and observe all the rules OF
war. However, it is provided that there
shall be no executions without the ap-
proval of a superior officer.
Commanding officers are specially en-
Joined to make use of young officers In
hunting down the insurgents and it is
pointed out that there is no just cause
for exceptional caution, or apprehension
in attacking insurgent bodies wherever
found. At any rate under existing con-
ditions, legitimate chances should be
accepted, says General Bell, as excess
siYe caution will do the army incalcula-
BILE harm. The best defense against the
insurgents, he says, is to assume a Wig
orous offensive at once; to retire in the
presence of the enemy is hazardous and
A special injunction is laid on the
commanders to hunt down through
loyal spies, secret sympathizers with
and contributors to the rebellion, many
of whom will be found among municipal
officers. General Bell says that Malvar
and other insurgent leaders have die
tated elections of all town officials In
Batangas and Laguna and these town
councils meet and pass resolutions de-
nouncing the insurrection. while secret
ly informing the insurgents that this
is done under compulsion and supply
ing them with information. Therefore
General Bell declares that neutrality
should not be tolerated; every inhabit-
ant should be either an active friend,
or be cIassed as an enemy, and acts,
not words, must be made the test
Chief and most important among the
class of disloyal persons. he says. are
the native priests. General Bell de-
clares it is practically certain that ev-
cry one in Batangas and Laguna
provinces as a secret enemy of the gov
ernment and in active sympathy with
the insurgents. He orders that they be
given no exemption whatever. be
brought to trial whenever sufficient evil
dence is obtainable and adds that even