The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-15
REPORT OF CHAFFEE
THE GENERAL DEFENDS OFFICERS
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
C0MMENDS THEIR CAMPAIGN
AND FINDS NOTHING THAT CALLS
FOR CENSURE.

Interesting Feature of Report Re-
lates to the MOrOs in MindanaO
and JOIO, the sultan of the Latter
Province Being a Troublesome In
dividuaI-FOrce Used Only When
Necessary -Great influence for
Good Exerted by the Soldiers in
the Islands.
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE annual re-
port of Maj. Gen. Adna r. Chaffee,
just made public, covers the campaign
of Gen. j. H. Smith in Samar. Gen.
Chaffee warmly defends the officers
and assumes full responsibility for all
that was done under official orders.
Speaking of the campaign in Samar,
Gen. Chaffee says that he finds moth
ing in the written instructions, (which
waS mot justified by the conditions
there to be overcome"
Gen. Chaffee requests the removal of
all censure that has been passed pub
licly upon Gen. Bell regarding the or
ders, circulars and instructions which
he issued while putting down the in
surrection.
An interesting feature of Gen. Chat
fees report relates to the Moros in
Mindanao and Jolo. He says it will
require time, tact and patience to
establish United States authority over
all the Moro settlements. In this con-
nections he says:
The sooner the Sultan of Jolo's
title actual or assumed, as sovereign,
and as sole owner of land in the Jolo
archipelago is quilted, the better for
the situation. Probably there is little
doubt that a money consideration
would relieve the situation of his
| claim and presence, and if this be
done, laws, just, but simple and so
plainly stated as understood by the
Moro population generally, could be
| enforced through the dattos upon their
| followers without much trouble or fire.
Quent resort to force"
Gen. Chaffee says that force has been
used only in the degree necessary TO
make it understood plainly that persons
entitled to protection cannot be murder
ed and that the authority of the United
| States cannot be questioned.
In. conclusion Gen. 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 &c
| criticisms that have been made. He
says:
THE assumption and statement that
| the presence of soldiers in community
is very demoralizing with respect to
! the natives is not true as a broad prop
osition; in my opinion the opposite view
is most worthy to be noted. An in
dividual soldier here and there has nc
| doubt wronged a native, or with threat
of physical force compelled obedience
to his demands, but these instances are
exceptional, not the rule, so that unless
| the alleged demoralizing influence
! broadens so as to make the presence
! of the white race, as race, democrat
! izing 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
| example, are object lessons for good"
Accompanying the report are the re-
ports of staff officers and general Off
GERS who command various depart
ments. Gen. J. P. Sanger, as inspector
general makes strong recommended
| ton in favor of the re-establishment OF
the canteen.
Lieut.. Col. George w. Adair, chief
| surgeon, calls attention to the fact that
venereal disease continues to increase
slowly. He adds:
Regulation of prostitution will con-
| tinue to be taken from the hands of the
army by the establishment of civil
| government" and he says in America
| the distate to recognize the existence
! of prostitution is so great that little
| will probably be effected"