The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-18


For All That Was Done Under Off
eiai orders-General Davis on sIav-
cry In the Philippines.
Washington. Nov. 15.-The annual
report of Major General Adna J. Chat
fee. first made public. closes soptor-
Der so. the date when he reunouishod
his command of the division cf tie
Philippines. The report covers tho
campaign OF General j. H. smith IN
Samar. refers TO some friction that
occurred between the civil and milf
tary authorities regarding Ley,e. and
discusses the action OF various OF.
GERS and the work OF the army In the
suppression Of recent Instructions
General Chaffee warmly defends the
officers. and assumes fuu responsible
ity for all that was done under Official
orders. He says that the various Fill
Pine bands were OF ia military i'm
portance and in time can be handled hv
the insular constabuiary. Speaking of
the campaign in Samar. General Chat
fec says that he finds nothing in the
written instructions which was not
justified by the conditions there TO be
overcome"
General Chaffee says the formation
OF concentration camps was necessary
TO suppress the instruction IN the
provinces OF Batanras. Laguna and
Tayabas. He asserts that the civil au-
thorities IN some instances aided the
insurrectionists and says. 1T was
found necessary 20 arrest and confne
500 or 400 of the intelligent class In
order to remove the influence OF the
masters over the masses OK the popu-
latiOn"
General Chaffee requests the remov-
al OF all censure that has been passed
publicly upon General Bell REGARDING
the orders, circulars and instructions
which he issued while putting down the
instruction.
An interesting feature OF General
Chaffee's report relates 20 the NIoros in
Mindanao and Jolo. He saws that fl
will require time tact and patience TO
establish United States authority over
all the Moro settlements. In this CON
nection. he says. The sooner the s,il-
tan Of Jolo's title. actual or assumed. as
sovereign and as sole owner OF land in
the Jolo archipelago is Quoted the bet
ter for tho situation. Probably there
Is little doubt that money considera-
uon would relieve the situation OF his
claim and presence and If this De done
laws. just but simple and so plainly
stated as TO be understood hv .ra
Tn Hf...-
forced through the dattos upon their
followers without much trouble or fro
quent resort 10 force. II win he i'm
possible for many years 70 ignore
hips-dattos- and 90 deal d.
rectly with the Individual Noros as IS
done with civilized. Christian neonla.
Commenting on other sections OF the
islands General Chanee saws that ar
the time OF writing his report the army
was on a peace status Troops are be-
ing withdrawn from all particination
IN civil affairs as rapidly as civil or
ganization can be erected.
Accompanying General Chanee's re-
port are the reports OF stan officers and
general officers who commanded vari-
Gus departments.
General Davis, now in command Of
the Philippines made a report on tho
subject of slavery. His report was has
ed on the action Of Colonel W. N. wal
lace. commanding az Jolo. in which he
refused TO return escaped slaves. The
sultan made complaint to General
Chahee in regard to the matter. which
was referred back TO General Davis in
command Of the department. General
Davis declared that escaping slaves
should be protected in their freedom
and that all should know that the TAX
ing and owning Of slaves is forbidden
by United States laws. He saws II
would be Improbable to secure the
freedom Of slaves by remuneration to
their owners as tens OF thousands
would continue voluntarily their ser
vices. They are not especially unhappy
and have few wants or necessities He
expresses the opinion that slavery is
not uncommon among Christian Fiji
pinos and adds that slavery Will never
be eradicated in these islands until pub
lie sentiment in the communities is on
posed to II, and this sentiment is ~
c1nyy crro--th