Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1902-01-24
Gen. Bell Forced to Extreme Meas
ures in Dealing with Fill
ipino Insurgents.
MARTIAL Law IN BATANGAs PROVINCE.
After Two Years. Strife in the Section
just South of Manila, American
General II Convinced That Lenient
Treatment Delays the Coming of
Peace-The Plans.


the instruction in Batangas PROV
ince, which lies just south of Manila,
and having satisfied himself that
lenient treatment of the insurgents
is productive of no good results, Gen.
j. Franklin Bell, the military COM
mander in that province, has deter
mined on the enforcement of the war
in the most vigorous and determined
fashion, involving Recommendation in
a modified form, the application of
martial law in all directions, and the
unsparing pursuit and punishment of
the natives who act as spies and
traitors to the United States.
The Plan.
All this appears from a long report
to the department just published.
The recommendation order is dated
at Batangas, December 8 last. In
substance it provides for the estab-
lishment of q zone around the gar
%risons, into which the friendly in
habitants are to be required to come
under penalty of c-onfiscation and de-
struction of their property. This is
said to be necessary to prevent the
collection of forced contributions
from the Inhabitants by the insur-
gents. The military officers are al
lowed to fix the price Of necessaries
of life, and it is promised that the
people may return as oon as peace
full conditions are established.
Natives Do Not Want Peace.
This order is followed by a long
circular by Gen. Bell to his station
commanders, commenting on existing
conditions and giving them advice
how to proceed. It begins with the
statement that he shares in the gen.
eral conviction that the instruction
continues because the greater part
of the people, especially the weather.
ones, do not really want peace. He
says it is regrettable that the inno-
cent must suffer with the guilty, but
the greatest good to the greatest
number can be best brought about by
putting a prompt end to the insurrec-
tion. Therefore he directs the ap-
plication of general order No. 100, in
force during the civil war in the
United States, which practically re-
CARDS an insurgent as a guerrilla, and
outside the pale of civilized warfare,
and subject to the death penalty,
wherever such insurgent does not en-
gage continuously in the war and OBJ
serve all the rules Of war.
Restriction on Executions.
However, it is provided that there
shall be no executions without the APP
prevail of a superior officer. Command
ing officers are specially enjoined to
encourage young officers in huting
down the insurgents, and it is pointed
out that there is NO just cause for ex-
%ceptional caution or apprehension in
attacking insurgent bodies wherever
found. At any rate, under existing
conditions, legitimate chances should
be accepted. says Gen. Bell, as exces-
sive caution will do the army incalcu-
Liable harm. The best defense against
the insurgent, he says, is to assume a
vigorous offensive at once; to retire in
the presence of the enemyis hazardous
and disoouraging.
Work o Loyal Spies.
"A special injunction is laid on COM
manders to hunt down through loyal
spies secret sympathizers with and
contributors to the rebellion, many OF
whom will be found among municipal
officers. Gen. Bell says that Malver
and other insurgent leaders have die.
tated elections Of all town officials In
Batangas and Laguna, and these town
councils meet and pass resolutions de.
nouncing the Instruction, while Sc.
cretly in forming the insurgents that
this is done under compulsion and sup.
plying them with information. There.
fore Gen. Bell declares that neutrality
should not be tolerated; every inhabit
ant should be either an active friend
or be classed a an enemy, and acts
not words, must be made the test
Chief and most important among thu
class of disloyal persons. he says ar.
the native priests.
Treachery Of Wealthy Filipinos.
Gen. Bell declares that It is practic
ally certain that every one In Batan
gas and Laguna provinces Is a secre'
enemy of the government and in activ,
sympathy with the insurgents, He or
ders that they be given no exemption
whatever. but be brought Ia trIa