Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-04-26
PLEA FROM CHAFFEE.
Urges That He Be Permitted to Push
Campaign Against Moros.
Sends Report That Advance Has Al
ready Begun-President at First
Decides to Stop the Movement,
But Changes His Mind.

Washington, April %. : President
Roosevelt has decided to push vigor-
ously the military operations against
the Moros of Mindanao unless they
comply with Gen. Chaffee's demand
for the surrender OF the Moros who
murdered an American soldier. This
determination was reached at a con-
ference Tuesday between President
Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of War
Sanger and Gen. Corbin. President
Roosevelt has decided that Chaffee's
plans for military expedition of / 200
mex into the interior of Mindanao
were premature. Orders were accord
ingly forwarded TO Manila recalling the
troops and directing that no further
military steps be taken until every pa
cific course had been exhausted. The
president felt that war with the Mo-
hammedan tribes of Mindanao might
be averted.
Order Came Too Late.
President Roosevelt's order, how
ever, reached Mindanao too late. Gen.
Chaffee promptly cabled them to Brig
Gen. Davis, who is in command in Min
danao, but Lieut.. Col. Baldwin and an
advance force of men had already left
the coast and had two small engage
ments with the Moros, in which seven
of the latter were killed. Gen. Davis,
backed by Gen. Chatfee, Immediately
cabied an energetic protest to the war
department, and their messages formed
the subject of the conference at the
war department Tuesday night. Gen.
Chaffee declared: 1.-The withdrawal of
our forces will remove our prestige;
to withdraw part of the force would be
dangerous" He further animated
no disposition to withdraw his troops
unless he should have additional in
structions to do so.
Decides to Support Chnnee
When his cablegram was laid before
the president Tuesday night it was i'm
mediately decided that, as aggressive
operations had begun, it would be in
advisabl to interfere with Gen. Chat
fees plan of campaign, and that he
should be given every support in his
efforts to bring the Moros to terms.
A cablegram will be sent to Gen
Chaffee to-day telling him to push the
campaign vigorously and assuring him
of the earnest support of the officials
here. The president was DESTROYS of
avoiding d war with the Moros and
hoped that the matter might be peace
ably adjusted, but it has become evil
dent from Gen. Chaffee's report that
nothing but aggressive conduct will
bring these people TO terms.
Chanee Tells of Advance.
Washington, April 23.-Adjt. Gen.
Corbin has made public the following
telegram, received late Tuesday from
Gen. Chaffee:
Manila, April 22.-Adjutant General,
Washington: With reference to my tele-
gram of the 18th and yours of the 2ist:
When at Malabang, l authorized Baldwin
to continue clearing the trail toward the
lake. If not opposed. but he was not to move
in force until the expedition was fully pre-
pared, which l expected to accomplish by
the 18th. On the 18th he pushed his ad-
vance from his camp eight miles OUT with
orders to clear the blockaded trail and
halt when 1t reached sufficient water, which
was not found until the second crossing of
the Malilang river, where 1t issues from
Lake Dapao The advance consisted of one
battalion of the Twenty-seventh infantry
under Maj. Scott. He reached Dapao
without opposition, but found the trail
badly INSTRUCTED by fallen timber. Bald
win arrived at the same place on the noon
of the 10Th with Moore's battalion and
a mounted battery. In order to find a de-
fensive camp and grazing to the north of
him, he sent forward Moore's battalion
with one gun. Moore was fired on from
ha h lie IN fro, y fr 1of{ II
turned the fire, but did not advance.
Baldwin brought forward the rest of the
battery and three infantry companies and
drove off the assailants, firing at distance
of LOO to 100 yards. Excellent firing by
battery; enemy driven two miles and scat
tered; no casualties to our troops; seven
Moros' bodies found; opposing Moros from
Pinellas village, whose fort is in sight,
flying red flag.
yesterday morning a delegation
rived at Baldwin's camp from Geneasi
making absolute submission to United
States authority under terms OF my proc
lamation. Yesterday morning there was
an affair of a few minutes with the sultan
of Pualaos' men, who attempted to reoc
cupy grounds cleared the day before, and
they were forciby dispersed. Baldwin
says 1t may be necessary to reduce the fort
at Pulas If it continues hostile before pass
ing It, Altitude of camp 1850 feet. Davis
says he has ordered Baldwin net to assault
any fort or occupy hostile places until the
two weeks time expires which l granted
the Moros to surrender murderers
'In order to expedite yours Of yesterday
was sent at once to Davis; received by
him at 1880 p. m. He has ordered Bald
win to abstain absolutely from any ag-
gressive movement, but to favor in every
way possible friendly conference. To with
draw all our forces will ruin our prestige;
to withdraw part of our force wifi be dan
Hoyv nrdor froH a1o 10
rear quickly: eight miles was well opened
when l was there. Shall maintain our
position, but not advance further until
you are heard from. Febiger, with bat
talon of 200 is in reserve. Baldwin's ad-
vance to so great distance was prema-
ture, but was occasioneG by opportunity
to seize advantage In situation and po-
sition for camping troops.
"Boishing, at 1lagan, says everything
Is quiet. He is confident the Moros on the
north side have no idea of rising.
"CHAFFEE."
Manila Court-Martfal Dissolved
Washington, April 23-Although
no statement is yet obtainable as
to the reasons for dissolving the
Smith court-martial, it is understood
that the president is DESTROYS that
he himself should review the pro-
ceedings of the court-martial instead
of having this reviewed at Manila as
would have been the case had Gen.
Chaffee convened the court. It also
is understood that the court will
consist of the same members named
by Gen. Chaffee so that there is no
reflection upon that officer involved
in the course adopted.
Prospect Good for Texas Crops.
Dallas, Tex, April 23.-The wealth
er throughout Texas Tuesday was
generally good, and crops are report
ed in splendid condition. 1t is stated