Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-23
GEN, CHAFFEE'S ORDERS
Must Exhaust Resources of
Diplomacy.
TROUBLE WITH MOR0S
IF FRIENDLY ADVANCES FAIL
MAY USE HIS DISCRETION.
Is to Confer With Acting Governor Of
the hilippines-Correspon
ence Published.
TROUBLE WITH MOROS

which has taken place up to date respecting
the Moro outbreak in Mindanao. The i'm
portant feature Of the correspondence is
the closing chapter, showing that General
Davis expedition is not arbitrarily stopped,
but that General Chaffee is allowed to ex-
ercise his discretion. 1t is believed that
the presence of Governor Taft in Washing
ton is the explanation of the Presidents di-
rection that General Chaffee shall confer
with the acting head Of the Philippine COM
mission before adopting further hostile
tactics.
The correspondence begins with the cable
gram given out last week, dated Manila,
April Is, in which General Chaffee recites
the killing of the first American soldier
near Malabang and the forming Of an ex-
pedition under Colonel Baldwin to arrest
the murderers.
The First Orders.
In answer to this the following dispatches
were sent:
War Department,
Adjutant Generals Office,
WASHINGTON, April 20, 1902
Chaffee. Manila:
Expedition ordered under Baldwin will
This will not, however, interfere with COM
plete preparation. CORB1N.
A. G. O., April 22, 1902
Chaffee, Manila:
The President is anxious that no expedi-
tion be made against Moros until all efforts
by negotiation have been exhausted. To
this end he desires that you confer freely
with the acting civil governor. In the event
the force has to be sent he directs that 1t
go under the immediate command of Cen
eral Davis. The President will give you all
support, but desires exercise of great care
and prudence. If possible, avoid by all
honorable means general war. CORB1N.
WASHINGTON, A. G. O., April %, 1902
Chaffee, Manila:
With reference to previous cables on sub
ject it has been suggested to President that
possibly surrender of the Moros murderers
might be effected by instrumentality of
friendly dattos. President desires this con-
sidered In conference with Wright and to
have assurance every honorable, peaceful
| remedy has been exhausted. CORBIN.
General Chaffee responded to this last
dispatch by the following long dispatch,
dated Manila, April %. and, in substance,
stating that to withdraw all the American
forces would ruin our prestige; to with
draw part of the forces would be danger
Gus. ''.
with reference to my telegram, 18th, and
yours, 21st: When at Malabang authorized
Baldwin to continue clearing trail toward
lake. If not opposed, but he was not to
| move in force until the expedition was fully
prepared which 1 expected to accomplish
by the 25th. On the 18th he pushed his ad
vance from his camp eight miles out, with
orders to clear blockaded trail and halt
when it reached sufficient water, which was
not found until the second crossing of the
Mailing river, where it issues from Lake
Dapao Advance consisted of one battal
ion 27th Infantry, under Maj. Scott. He
reached Dapao without opposition but
found the trail badly obstructed by fallen
timber. Baldwin arrived at the same place
on the noon of the Goth, with Moores bat
talon and mountain battery. In order to
GrI dot tive nv,1 0ivrr 20 y,
of him he sent Moore's battalion, with one
gun. Moore was fired on from the hills in
front and to his left. He returned fire. but
didn't advance Baldwin brought forward
rest of the battery and three infantry COM
panies and drove off assailants, firing dis
tance eleven hundred to three hundred
yards: excellent firing by battery; enemy
driven two miles and scattered; no casual
ties to our troops; seven Moro bodies found;
opposing Moros from Pinellas village,
whose fort is in sight, flying red flag.
Yesterday morning a delegation arrived
at Baldwin's camp from Genasi, making ab
solute submission to United States author
ity under terms of my proclamation. Yes
terday morning there was an affair Of few
minutes with the Sultan of Pualaos men,
who attempted to reoccupy grounds cleared
the day before, and they were forciby dis
persed. Baldwin says 1t will be necessary
to reduce fort at Pulas II it continues hos
tile before passing it. Altitude camp, 2,65O
feet. Davis says he has ordered Baldwin
not to assault any fort or to occupy hostile
places until the two weeks time expires
which I granted the Moros to surrender
murderers.
''In order to expedite yours Of yesterday
was sent at once to Davis; received by him
at 1880 pm. He has ordered Baldwin to
abstain absolutely from any aggressive
movement, but to favor in every way pos
sible friendly conference To withdraw all
our forces will ruin our prestige; to with
draw part of force will be dangerous. Have
ordered trail cleared to rear quickly; eight
miles was well opened when I was there.
Shall maintain our position, but not ad-
vance further until you are heard from.
Febiger, with battalion of 200. is in reserve.
Baldwin's advance to SO great distance was
premature, but was OccaSoned by an op-
portunity to seize advantage in situation
and position for camping troops.
"Bershing, at Ilagan, says everything
quiet He Is confident Moros on north side
have no idea of rising"
Gen. Chaffee Given Discretion.
To this statement the following response
was made today:
,"wASHINGToN. A. G. O., April %. 1902.
"Chaffee, Manila:
"Your cable Of yesterday has been sub
mitted by the acting secretary Of war to
the President, who directs that you keep
in mind the Presidents orders, but, OF
course, do nothing that will impair our
prestige or in any other way imperil the
army. If after the expiration Of the time
named in your proclamation and after all
possible diplomatic and friendly methods
have been exhausted, your demand for the
Moro murderers has not been met, you
will act upon the lines that, in your udg-
ment will best serve to bring about peace
and order in the Island of Mindanao.
"CORBIN."