The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-04

swamps, apparently capable of intermin-
able defense. When this resistance had
been overcome they were required to
crush out a general system of guerilla
warfare conducted among people
speaking unknown tongues, from whom
it was almost impossible to obtain the
information necessary for successful pur-
suit or to guard against surprise and
ambushes.
The enemies by whom they were sur
rounded were regardless of all obligations
of good faith and of all the limitations
which humanity has imposed upon civil
lied warfare. Bound themselves by the
laws Of war soldiers were called upon to
meet device Of INSCRIPTIONS treachery
and to contemplate without reprisal the
infection of barbarous cruelties upon
their comrades and friendly natives.
,rhey were instructed. while Furnishing
armed resistance, to conciliate the friend
ship of the peaceful, yet had to do with
a population among whom 1t was impos-
sibl to distinguish friend from foe, and
who in countless instances used false
appearance of friendship Tor ambush and
assassination. They were obliged to deal
with problems of communication and
transportation in country without roads
and frequently made impossible by tor
rental rains. They were weakened by
tropical heat and tropical disease. Wide
ly scattered over a great archipelago ex-
tending a thousand miles from north to
south, the gravest responsibilities involv-
ing life or death of their commanders
frequently devolved upon young and in
experienced officers beyond the reach Of
specific orders or advice.
Has Achieved Its Task.
Under all these adverse circumstances
the army of the Philippines has achieved
-t.at-. I141 r.
than two thousand combats great and
small, within three years, 1t has exhibited
unyarying courage and resolution. IT'LL
izing the lessons of the Indian wars 1t
has relentless followed the guerilla bands
to their Businesses In mountain and jungle
and crushed them 1t has put an end to
the vast system of intimidation and secret
assassination by which the peaceful ma
tives were prevented from taking a gen.
uine part in government under American
authority. 1t has captured or forced to
surrender substantially all the leaders of
the instruction. 1t has submitted to
no discourage and halted at no obstacle.
Its officers have shown high qualities Of
command and its men have shown devo-
ton and discipline. It's splendid, virile
energy has been accompanied by self con-
troll, patience and magnanimiay. With
surprising few individual exceptions, its
ity and kindness to the prisoner and the
non-combatant.
With admirable good temper. sympathy
and loyalty to American ideas its COM
manding generals have Joined with the
civilian agents of the government in
healing the wounds of war and assuring
to the people of the Philippines the
blessings of peace and prosperity. Indl-
vidual liberty, protection of personal
rights, civil order, public instruction
and religious freedom have followed its
footsteps. 1t has added honor to the flag
which II defended and has justified in
creased confidence in the future of the
American people, whose soldiers do not
shrink from labor or death. yet love lib
erty and peace. The President feels that
he expresses the sentiments of all the
loyal people of the United States in do
ing honor to the whole army which has
Joined In the performance and shares in
the credit Of these honorable services.
This general order will be read aloud
at parade in every military post on the
Fourth of July, 1902 or on the first day
after 1t shall have been received.
(SignedD ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War.
BY command of Lieutenant General Miles.
H. CORBIN,
Adjutant General, Major General, U. S. A.