The Iola register., 1902-05-09
MOROS ROUTED
Refused to Negotiate lWith American
Officials

w WaSnlngtOn May tine war de-
partment today received a cablegram
from General ChafTee indicating that
the campaign against Sutton Bayan,
one of the principal Moro chiefs, had
been completely successful. The re-
suit was accomplished by q gallant
assault on the principal Moro fort and
its capture, after u number of the lead
ing Moros had been killed. The
cablegram which was received this
afternoon was as follows;
"Adjutant General, Washington;
The following is the full substance of
Brig adler General George w. Davis
message from Bayan:
"Eighty-four survivors Bayan sur
renders Internationally this morning
at H. Sultan Bayan, Raja Muda
Bayan, Sultan Pandapatan and all
leading Dattos dead and many Of their
followers Assault on the principal
fort, which surrendered last night, one
of the most gallant performances of
American arms. Colonel Frank D.
Baldwin and his regiment deserves all
praise for hand to hand struggle in
four lines of bitches under walls of
fort. These trenches are lined with
Moro dead from rifle fire.
Have never seen or heard of any
performance excelling this gallant
fight.
ut is my painful duty to report that
the overthrow Of Moro power not ac-
complished without severe loss. One
officer and seven enlisted men killed;
four officers and thirty enlisted men
wounded. Will telegraph the list
later.i
After eighty-four survivors march
ed out this morning as prisoners, and
was understood they we're all, eight
others who concealed themselves in
rubbish inside the fort made break
for liberty, tried away out but none
succeeded.
Some Moro wounded tried &C. stab
soldiers trying to help them. 1t is
impossible to state number OF Moros
killed. Many lying in tall grass.
THE surrender saves us from siege
and starving out. Impossible to have
carried works without scaling ladders
which we're ready, Intend to retain
prisoners until two or three small
adjacent forts occupied, then will hold
as hostage eight or ten of the prin-
cipals and release the others.
'The force in line of advance con
sisted of four mountain guns, 47O
rifles. The fully sufficient. Could
not have. used more men advantage
eously. Had we sent strong colums it |
would only have swelled the casualty
list.
Zone neighboring Datto has already |
presented himself as friend, and / ex-
pect a general coming in shortly,
when the weight of the blow is
known. The dead sent TO Malabang
for burial.
'In light of of present knowledge,
could have besieged the principal |
forts and in time forced surrender,
but that would probably have resulted
in sortie for freedom and escape for
many. BY attacking them, they have
been completely erushed--the only
kind of lessons these wild Moros seem
to be able to profit by.
Shall invite Suluan Tarlac to pay |
me friendly visit, if he'does not do
this of his initiative. Has fort further |
east in plain sight and OF same
strength as was Bayan on beautiful
tableland, thousand acres fine upland |
rice, and urging people to return to
its cultivation The result to follow
this action very important, namely, it
secures respect for United States
authority in the center Of Moro saw
agery. "CHAFFEE. "