Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-10
GEN. FUNSTON IS HONE
The Gallant Fighter Returns
From the Philippines on
Sick Leave.
He Is Suffering From a Surgica
Ope ration Performed for
Appendicitis.
Talks But Little OF the islands,
Anxious to See His
Son.


General Funston returned yesterday on
the transport Warren on two months
sick leave. which may be extended as
| Funston Is still suffering from append.
cits which kept him in the hospital III
Manila over three months Another OPP
Grafton Will be necessary. General Fun
than in telling of his exploits in the
Philippines. His son and heir was born
only three weeks ago, after he left Ma
gasaki, so he knew nothing of this
event till the boarding officer told him.
General Funston's plans for his leave
have not been made. He said that it
largely lay with his wife. He was glad
to hear of her good health, and he
wishes to take trip to Kansas as soon
as he is able to travel after undergoing
another operation. II his health per-
mits he will report for duty at the end
of two months, and in that case does
not know what the war department will
do.
He does not expect to be placed in
command of the department of Cali
fornia. The department to which he
might be assigned would be either Col
orado, Texas, or the Dakotas.
When asked to give his impressions of
the condition Of the islands General
Funston said he couldn't do this as he
had been three months in hospital.
Besides he was familiar only with his
own district.
las soon as l returned to the islands
a year ago, said General Funston, Il
took command at San Isidro, after
wards removing headquarters to San
Fernando, which is more convenient.
because it is the railroad. The prov
inces in my command were Bulacan,
Pampanga, Pangasinan. and those lying
to the east towards Subig Bay, six
provinces in all. AT first we hau come
trouble, especially about hount Arreat,
which, being inaccessible, was a fine re-
treat for the insurgents. But we finally
drove them out and for months we had
only an occasional brush with bands of
Ladrones, who operated only at night
My district was perhaps the most
densely populated of any in the islands
and was an exceedingly rich and pro-
ductive country, Only a small portion
had been cultivated since SO, but when
the season for planting opened in the
spring of last year the acreage increased
nearly 100 per cent, and points at aeon
siderable distance from the railroad
that had not been touched for five years
We're plowed for planting.
The conditions in that district when
1 left We're favorable. altho don't be-
lieve it would be advisable to withdraw
troops stationed there. They act as a
eort of balance wheel to the natives, and
as the men of the various regiments
have come to understand the native
character they know how to control
them.
Everything had been quiet and
peaceful about the larger cities of my
district, and it was the feeling that it
was safe for individuals to travel alone.
This was often done, but In most cases
the whites went in parties. AT the var
ious points where only one or two COM
panies were stationed the wives and
of the officers were living and
felt secure"
What about the capture of Aguinal-
do, general?" was asked.
Well that happened so long ago that
I really have forgotten dates and many
facts. We made the expedition last
May, starting the latter part of April.
With me were Captains Hazard and
Newton and Lieutenants Hazard and
all of whom were volunteer
officers, and believe they have since
been made officers in the regular army. |
Lieutenant Mitchell is now on my
staff, and comes home with me on leave.
The native scouts were all trustworthy, |
altho we were a bit anxious-not be-
cause we feared they would betray us,
but because we feared their zeal and en-
thusiasm over the expedition would be-
tray us. We never doubted but we
would be successful. Beyond the hard
ship 1t was simple affair, and we were
none the worse for 1t"
Gen. Robert p Hughes returns after
.hree years and seven months service in
he Philippines, the longest record of
any officer of high rank in the army. In
provost marshal of Manila and became
practical heed of city government He
leaned Manila esta blished thorough
police system and organized all depart
nents. Later he saw service In China.
Postoffice Receipts at Davenport.
Special to Times Republican.