New-York tribune., 1902-04-23
DEALING WITH THE MOROS,
TIE PRESIDENT SELECTS GENERAL
GEORGE W. DAVIS TO TAKE
CHARGE OF OPERATIONS.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.I

[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE-J
Washington. April 22-The President. fully
alive TO the necessity of preserving respect for
American sovereignty among the Mahometans
OF the Southern Philippines and firm in the de-
termination that order shall be preserved among
the Moros, and murderers and other CRIMINALS
punished In accordance with law, has cautioned
General Chaffee to exhaust pacific measures In
dealing with these people before resortins 10
steps that may provoke general anti-Christian
uprising With that end in view, he has selected
General George w. Davis formerly Military
Governor Of Porto Rico. and now commanding
in Mindanao TO deal with the dattos and TO
take charge Of any campaign that may be nee
essary.
General Davis is regarded the best officer in
the service for the delicate duty now devolvins
on the American authorities in the Philippines.
and confidence is expressed that he will avert
a general rising among the Mahometans. and
the time command respect for the
United States law If any
GENERAL DAVIS'S ORDER
This assurance is strengthened by the follow
ing order received by AdJutant General Corbin
to-day. It was issued by General Davis, COM
manding the Seventh Separate Brigade, from his
, headquarters Zamboanga, March last. in
structing the troops in Mindanao and Jolo as TO
the proper attitude to be maintained toward the
Moros and other non-Christian tribes on these
islands The order says:
MinGanao and Jolo have now been occupied by
the United States more than two years, and dur-
ing that time there has been no act of re-
sistance against authority by Moros or other
nUred or nficted save Tor Crimes against or act Of
violence upon individuals. But in some extensive
remain isolated and TO exclude visits from Alnerl-
cans II is the military poley TO eadeSDDp 80 ~
explore the country ana make known lis topoe-
raphy. physical characteristics, resources and the
number and character of its inhabitants.
During explorations and operations In the terri
commander enjoins that The greatest prudence De
ihese tribes ali of Whom are now peaceful To this
end he directs that messengers be sent well in ad-
parties 10 inform the Inha whose rancherias
are to be visited of the coming Of The troops on
peaceful mission OF exploration and observation
BY the observance of this policy and the employ
nlent OF native runners and guides detailed by the
oattos and chiefs peaceable entrance into ana the
establishment of posts IN the territory which mas
s heTspfSse S as bs9R d e9sed to our people VII" " Is be-
Through peaceful means the brigade commander
wishes 10 overcome the desire of these people TO
remain isolated. He wishes buy such OF the
native ponies and 10 employ such OF the laborers
as the army may need to establish market places.
10 impress upon the natives the fact that the TAX
ing and selling OF slaves is forbidden by our laws
and TO inform those who from Spanish times have
ssres tbat the Inta P states does not reeeenize
the right OF any man 10 own another. ana that
those who wish 10 leave tEeir masters will be pro-
tected against recapture and forclbe return 10
The brigade commander also directs that officers
who brought in direct contact with the non
Christian inhabitants TO il that in the future.
that those who are peaceable be nolested in
their persons or property. and that they be not
interfered with in religious practices or In the OBJ
servance OF their tribal customs. Peace
able Mores viii not be disarmed, though IN pos
session OF modern weapons, but no firearms or
ammunition be imported or kept for sale in the
towns in the unorganized provinces
American promoters, proSpectoIs- miners ana
travellers who give q satisfactory account
Of themselves or show proper credentials will not
be permitted to enter the interior OF the island in
habited by Moros. Persons claiming lands derived
by purchase from Moro dattos or other non-Chr1s-
tians entitled TO the same, but greater rights
and privileges respecting said lands than the Moros
enjoy
by the agreement with the Sultan Of Joo made
MAY 20. 1888. the Sultan recognized by the
United States as possessing authority to bring to
trial and punishment all Moro criminals for crimes
committed against other Moros but In all other
his jurisdiction over criminals was denied.
The said agreement is in force only in the Joo
archipelago Ii the crimes of murder assault with
intent to kill. rape. kidnapping, robbery OF arson
the territorial limits assigned TO the 7th Separate
Brigade. army officers who may have knowledge Of
40 bring the Offenders TO justice; but in the
organized provinces Of MtsamS and Surigao the
punitive actions of the military will be confined to
offences committed by members OF nOn--hriStan
tribes against other mont christians while the
Jolo archipelago Moro criminals who may be
charged with crimes against other Noros will be
disposed Of as provided by the above cited agree
fnett
Peculiar interest attaches to this report IN
view OF existing conditions In the Philippines.
Il was in Mindanao that General Daviss troops
recently came into collision with the Moros
notwithstanding the efforts made by the gen.
erai overcome by moral suasion the resistance
Of the Moros TO the extension of American SOW
ereignty the islands Of the Jolo group.