The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-15
Former Commander of the Army Of
the Archipelago Tells OF Condi-
tiors in the Islands.
DEFENDS HIS SUBORDINATES
ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ALL THAT WAS DONE.
No Lasting Peace in the JOlos, He
Says, Until the Sultan Ia Deprived
of All Authority.

made public closes Sept 80, the date when
he relinquished his command of the division
OF the Philippines. The report covers the
campaign of Gen. j. II. Smith, in Samar,
refers 10 some friction that occurred be-
tween the civil and military authorities re-
garding Leyte. and discusses the actions of
various officers and the work OF the army
in the suppression of recent instructions.
General Chaifee warmly defends the off,
GERS. and assumes full responsibility tor
all that was done under official orders he
says that the various Filipino bands were
of little military Importance and in time
can be handled by the insular constabul-
larry.
Speaking of the campaign in Samar. Gen.
Chaffee says that he finds nothing in the
written instructions which was not justi-
fed by the conditions there to be over
come" General Chaffee says the forma-
ton of concentration camps was necessary
to suppress the instruction in the prov
inces of Batangas. Laguna and Tayabas
He asserts that the civil authorities in
some instances aided the insurrectionists
and says: 'It was found necessary to ar
rest and confne 800 or 400 of the intelligent
class in order to remove the influence of
masters over the masses of the popula-
ton"
General Chafree requests the removal of
all censure that has been passed publicly
upon General Bell regarding the orders. cir
culars and instructions which he issued
while putting down the insurrection. An in
teresting feature of General Chaffee's re-
port relates to the Moros in Mindanao and
Jolo. He says that it will require time, tact
and patience to establish United States au-
thority over all the Moro settlements. In
this connection he says: 1.-The sooner the
Sultan of Jolo's title actual or assumed, as
sovereign and as sole owner of land In the
Jolo archipelago is quieted the better for
the situation. Probably there is little doubt
that 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 to be understood
by the Moro population generally could be
enforced, through the dattos, upon their
followers without much trouble or frequent
resort to force.
DATTos MUST REMAIN.
at will be impossible for many years to
ignore Observation-Disclosures to deal
directly with the individual Moros, as is
done with civilized, Christian people. 1t
will, however, be long step ahead for the
inhabitants of the Jolo archipelago when
the dattos are independent of the Sultan
and recognize the United States as the only
sovereignty to which allegiance is due, and
as the only authority empowered TO enact
laws for the government of the inhabitants
and the country; that all the inhabitants
are equal before the law; that Christian
people have a right to live. These few SIM
pie propositions acknowledged, the govern
ment of the Moro people would not be at all
difficult. But to advance so far VIII con-
sumo much time and may result in national
conflict: for the modification OF present be-
liefs to accord with the above ideas WILL in
some cases, require that military force be
used"
General Chaffee says that force has been
used only to the degree necessary to make
ii understood plainly that persons entitled
to protection cannot be murdered and that
the authority of the United States cannot
be questioned. The inattention of the
United States forces, he says, has been
misunderstood. and the dattos believe the
troops to be towards and afraid to attack
their defenses. He says force must be APP
piled to humble their pride and assumed in
vinciblity.
Commenting on other sections of the
islands, General Chaffee says that at the
time of writing his report the army was
on a peace status. Troops are being with
drawn from all participation In civil affairs
as rapidly as civil organization can be
erected. This has been completed in all eX-
cept Batangas and Samar, where it is ex-
pected to be accomplished by the end OF the
go-except what is known as the Moro
country-has been formally organized for
civil government and turned over to its
officials, thus freeing the army from su-
pervlsory or actual control over its inhabi-
tants or their affairs
General Chaffee points out the necessity
for more barracks and quarters and says
the Sl,5O0,0O0 appropriated for the army in
the Philippines will not provide more than
temporary shelter" built largely of ma
tive mats. He thinks permanent sites
should be purchased and suitable buildings
erected at healthful points in the islands.
HEALTH OF THE TROOPS.
Concerning the health of the command.
General Chaffee says: THE oscillation of
the percentage Of sick in the command has
not exceeded 2Ls points during the year
The maximum was ssh per cent, for Au-
gust 1901; the minimum. 81 per cent for
May 1902. The deaths in the division for
the year. as a result OF battle, are officers
and 125 enlisted men, as against 20 officers
and 2l9 enlisted men fo- the previous year.
OF the % causes of death tabulated by the
chief surgeon, dysentery is the most
prominent" Deaths from cholera. he as
cribes to willful disregard TO tlmely-ex-
planned dangerous practices, and failure TO
avoid known localities of infection. While
the number of deaths of natives and others
not of the military service reaches nearly
1900, the lives of many thousands OF ma
tives have been saved. he says, through the
| influence exercised by the army In locaI-
ties where precaGtion is regarded as OF
! little no avail.
Under the reorganization army act there
| have been organized nifty companies of
/ Philippine scouts, total strength of 5000,
/ composed of six different tribes. General
/ Chaffec says they are fairly efficient, and
when carefully of.cered. serve their pur-
/ pose well.
| In a highly commendatory statement
/ General Chaffee acknowledges the assist
ance which the army has received from the
/ navy.
| 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 during the past year
| have faithfully and efficiently performed
| duty as ii fell TO their lot. A very consid-
cradle part have been dispersed by com
pany or detachment 10 occupy stations for
! support TO municipal authorities and mu.
| niclpal police. This duty has been per.
| formed without friction. so far as known
| TO me. with but comparatively few excep.
lions. Some alleged wrongs done natives by
| soldiers IL has been impossible TO redress
| because OF failure 10 identify the RESPONSE
BILE party parties. but when established
/ disciplinary measures have been enforced
The assumption and statement that III.
| presence of soldiers In community is very
| demoralzing, with respect to the natives
| Is not true. as broad proposition; In m,
opinion the opposite view Is most worth,
TO be noted. An individual soldier here ant
| there has no doubt wronged native. or
| 81 tof