Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
DEFENDS THE ARMY
Gen. Chafee Reports on the
Philippines.
CAMPAIGN lin SAMAR
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS JUSTI-
FLED BY THE CONDITIONS.
Necessity for the Concentration Camps
-Inso1ence Of the Moro Dattos-Re-
fussl to Return Slaves.

spondenee between Gen. Chaffee and Act
ing Gov. Luke E. Wright, the general hold
ing that it was military necessity, aud
the governor that it encroached upon the
civil authority. The circular finally was
revoked.
Necessity for Concentration Camps.
Gen. Chaffee reviews the conditions which
led up to the formation of concentration
camps, and says they were necessary to
suppress the insurrection in the provinces
Of Batangas, Laguna and Tyabas He as
serts that the civil authorities, in some in
stances, aided the insurrectionists, and 1t
was necessary to make 1t Impossible Tor
the natives to furnish money or supplies to
the bands which were opposing the MILL
tary as well the civil authorities.
TT was found necessary" says General
Chaffee, ito arrest and eonfine 300 or 400 OF
the Intelligent class in order to remove the
influence of the masters over the masses OF
the population
Insolence Of the Moros.
An interesting feature of General Chat
reefs report relates to the Moros in Min
danao and Jolo. He says that it will re-
quire time. tact and patience to establish
United States authority over all the Moro
settlements.
General Chaffee says that force has been
used only to the degree necessary to make
it understood plainly that persons entitled
to prOteCt1On cannot De murdered, anu
the authority of the United States must
not be questioned. Although the advance
toward Lake Lanao had been made with
assurances that the MorosI were not to be
disturbed. the officers have been treated
contemptuously by some of the powerful
datos. The inaction of the United States
forces has been misunderstood and the datos
believe the troops to be towards and afraid
to attack their defenses. The general adds:
I'VE can do nothing to. change the war
spirit and the desire for conflict associated
In the minds of such chiefs without the
application of force to humble them In
their pride and assumed invincibility.
Commenting upon otherH sections of the
islands General Chaffee says that at the
time of writing his report the army is on
peace status. Troops are being Withdrawn
from all participation in civil affairs as
rapidly as civil organizations can be erected
This has been completed in all except Ba-
tangas and Samar, where 1t is expected to
be accomplished by the end of the year.
General Chaffee discusses the concentra-
ton of the troops and reduction in stations,
and points out the necessity for more bar
racks and quarters. The S1,500,000 appro-
priated for the Army in the Philippines will
not, he says provide more than temporary
shelter" built largely of native materials.
He thinks permanent sites should be pur-
chased and suitable buildings erected at
healthful points in the islands.
The Philippine Scouts.
Under the reorganization army act there
have been organized fifty companies of
Philippine Scouts, with a total strength of
5000, composed of six different tribes. Gen.
eral Chaffee says they are fairly efficient
and effective, and when carefully Differed
serve their purpose WE'LL
In a highly commendatory statement
General Chaffee acknowledges the assist
ance which the army has received from the
navy. He refers especially to the service of
300 marines in Samar.
An Example to the Native.
In conclusion General Chaffee makes a
statement of the general character OF the
army and the duty of the troops, which is
in the nature Of a reply to criticisms that
have been made. He says:
THE officers and enlisted men of the
army who have served in the division dur
ing the past year have faithfully and eff
GENTLY performed duty as it fell to their
lot very considerable part has been
occupy stations for purposes of observation
and to give moral support to municipal au-
thorities and municipal police. This duty
has been pe~forme ed without friction so far
as known to me- with but comparatively
few exceptions. Some alleged wrongs done
natives by soldiers 1t has been impossible to
redress, because of failure to identify the
responsible party or parties but when es-
tablished disciplinary measures have been |
enforced. The assumption and sta tement |
that the presence of soldiers in a commu-
nifty Is very demoralizing with respect to |
the natives Is not true as broad PROPOSE |
tion. In my opinion the opposite view is |
most worthy to be noted An individual
soldier here and there has, no doubt, |
cal force compelled obedience to his de- |
mands, but these Instances are exceptional, |
not the rule, so that unless the alleged de- |
moralizing influence broadens SO as to |
make the presence of the white race as a |
race, demoraHZing to the native races the |
influence for evil by the soldiers is indeed |
small and undeserving compared with their |
many virtues, which by precept and ex- |
ample are object lessons for good"
Strongly Favors the Canteen.
Accompanying General Chaffees report are |
the reports of staff officers and general Of
fcers who command various departments |
Gen. J. P Sanger, as inspector general, |
makes strong recommendation in favor
Of the re-establishment of the canteen The |
termination OF organized opposition to the |
government, he says, renders necessary the |
re-establishment of something to occupy |
the attention of the soldiers and place of |
amusement separate from2that appointed |
In most of the places where troops are |
stationed .,a..t.
Lieut.. Col George w Adair. chief sur
geon, in discussing the health of the |
troops says that leprosy is found generally
throughout the islands, probably more in |
Visayas than anywhere elSe.i Colonel Adair |
discusses at considerable length the preva-
extensive description of what was done to |
suppress the disease. Cholera says the |
colonel. unless checked by more stringent
measures, must spread widely among the |
Inhabitants of these islands, as the streams |
little more than open sewers, and it Is |
extremely difficult to enforce clearly meth |
DDS in the preparation of food"
Return of Slaves Refused.
General Davis, now in command of the |
Philippines, made report on July 3, 1902 |
on the subject of slavery. The report was
based upon the action of Col. William NJ |
Wallace, commanding atsJolo, in refusing to
return escaped slaves. The sultan made a /
complaint to General Chaffee in regard to |
the matter, which was referred back to |
General Davis, in command Of the depart
ment. General Davis declared that escap-
ing slaves should be protected In their free
dom, and that all should know that the
taking and owning of slaves Is forbidden by
United States laws. He says that 1t would
be impracticable to secure the freedom of
slaves by remuneration to their owners, as
tens Of thousands would voluntarily con-
tinue their services. They are not es-
pecially unhappy, he says, and have few
wants or necessities. He expresses the
opinion that slavery is not uncommon
Christian IyiIinipoS and adds that