Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-23
STERN HAND.
7 D RULE
REBELS
INSURGENTS TO BE CONSIDERED
RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE
SHOT WHEN CAP
Z TURED.

WASHINGTON. Jan 2l.-Having fall
ed. a1ter two years strife in subduing
the EnsurrectiOn in Batangas province,
which lies just south OF Manila. and hav-
ing satisfied himself that lenient treat
meut uf the insurgents is productive OF
no goodRresults. Gen. ]. Franklin Bell. the
military commander in that province. has
determined on the enforcement OF the war
IN the most vigorous and determined fash
ion. involving Recommendation in a modi-
fed form. the application OF martial law
in all directions and the unsparing pur-
suit and punishment OF the natives who
act as spies and traitors 10 the United
States.
The reooncentration order IS dated at
Batangas- December last IL provides
for the establishment OF a zone around
the garrison into which the friendly IN
habitants are 70 be required 10 come I'M
der penalty OF confiscation and destruc-
ton OF their property. This is said TO be
necessary 10 prevent the collection OF
forced contributions from the Inhabitants
by the insurgents.
The military officers are allowed TO fix
the prices on necessaries OF life. and IT
as soon as peaceful conditions are estab-
lished-
This order IS followed by a long cir
cuIar BY General Bell To his station COM
~
that ne shares In the general conviction
that the insurrectiOn continues because
the greater part OF the people. especially
the wealthier ones. do not really want
peace. but the greatest good to the great
est number. he says. can be best brought
about by putting a prompt end 70 the
Instruction
Therefore. he directs the application Of
general order No. 100 In force during an
insurgent war in the United States. which
practically regards an insurgent as a
guerrilla. and outside the pale OF civil
lied warfare, and subject to the death
penalty wherever such insurgent does not
engage continuously In the war and OBJ
serve all the rJIies OF war. II is provided
that there shall be no executions without
the approval of the superior officer. 1t is
pointed out that there is no JUS cause for
exceptional custom or apprehension in at
lacking fnsurgent bodies wherever found.
as excessive caution viii do the army
fncalculable harm. The best defence
against the insurgents. he says. is to as
sumo a vigorous offensive. to retire in the
presence Of the enemy is hazardous and
discouraging.
A special Injunction is laid on the COM
manders 10 hunt down through loyal spies
secret sympathizers with and contributors
70 the rebellion, many of whom will be
found among municipal officers.
General Bell says that Malvar and other
1u&4FEEUN 4CAQEES nave QlGN1AEQ EAEElAOnS
OF al town officials in Batangas and Ia
guna, and these town councils meet and
pass resolutions denouncing the insurrec-
rection. while secretly informing the in
surgents that this IS done under compul-
sion and supplying them with informa-
ton Therefore General Bell declares that
neutrality should not be tolerated; every
inhabitant should be either an active
friend or be classed as an enemy, and
acts, not words. must be made the test.
Chief and most important among the
class OF disloyal persons. he says, are the
native priests. General Bell declares IL Is
practically certain that every one in Ba-
tangas and Laguna provinces is a secret
enemy OF the government and in active
sympathy with the insurgents He orders
that they be given no exemption what
ever, but be brought to trial whenever
sufHcient evidence Is ohtainable, and adds
that even I'm case OF well founded suspic-
ion they should be arrested TO step their
further activity
It Is frequently impossible. he says. 10
obtain evidence against influential persons
as long as they are at liberty. but once
confined evidence is easily obtainable.
General Bell declares that the apprehen-
sion and punishment Of one individual Of
fetal. wealthy man or priest Is OF greater
Importance than the punishment of 100
Ignorant persons. The wealthy and In
auential. he says. are those against whom
the most energetic efforts should be d.
rected.