Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10
TRAVEL MADE SAFE
Establishment of Public Order
in Mindanao.
ONLY MOROS REBEL
OUTBREAKS DUE TO AGITATION
OF ARAB PRIESTS.
Gen. Wood Reports Conditions as
Much Improved-Would Increase
Efficiency Of the Troops.

MAJ. Jen. LeOndIu WOOu, ia HIS dIliuoi
report for the department of Mindapao,
Philippine division, says that the general
condition of affairs in the department is
very satisfactory and has greatly improved
during the past year.
Conditions In all which pertain to public
order" says Gen. Wood, land the observ-
ance of law have greatly improved during
the past year. and many people never be-
fore reached have been brought under the
influence of the government. There have
been no disturbances among the Christian
Philippine population requiring the use of
troops. This portion of the population has
been orderly and quiet. Conditions among
the Moros have greatly improved. Slave
catching, dealing and holding have prac-
tically ceased. and observance of the in
structions of the duly constituted authori-
ties has become the rule rather than the
exception. Occasionally there have been
fanatical attempts to cause an uprising;
these have been promptly suppressed and
the authors severely punished in every in
stance. 1t Is regretted that the operations
necessary to this end have resulted in the
death of some excellent officers and men,
Killed in the performance of duty, and
very considerable loss among the Moros.
At present officials of the government can
go without an escore where It formerly re-
CURED an extremely strong one. With the
exception of few Moro districts, travel Is
5dio III ill Ol the eIllSit- tHu
even in these questionable districts there
is little danger, even to small parties. Many
Moro cannon and arms have been ia ken
and destroyed or turned in
The report says that the Moro outbreaks
are largely due to the actions of fanatical
Arab priests. of class which is disturb
ing element throughout the east 1t further
states that the Moro problem need cause
no anxiety or alarm as it is like the gem
eral Philippine problem-a matter of time
and education-and will be readily solved.
Gen. Wood states that there should be no
reduction in the garrison Of his department
for number of years, as such ACTION
would be misunderstood by the ignorant
and fanatical portion of the population
and result in increased disturbances and
loss of life. He says the people are ignorant
and know nothing of our resources and
power beyond what they see. and removal
of troops or reduction of garrisons only
gives fanatical Arab priests apparent rea-
son to commit acts of hostility.
Gen. Woods Recommendations.
General Wood makes the recommended
ton that the blue flannel shirt be not
issued for use with the service uniform
as 1t furnishes a very conspicuous target
and defeats the purposes of the khaki-col-
ored uniform. The general also recon-
mends that the service revolver be Of .45
caliber. He says the experience Of the
past year showed that the .3S caliber re-
volyer is OF little value as a weapon; 1t
will not stop a man unless he is shot
through the head or heart, or happens to
break leg.
Now that 1t has been decided to issue
suitable bayonet, General " God recon-
mends that the necessary materials be Is
sued to enable actual instructions in the
use of the bayonet to be given. He says
the present bayonet exercise is Of little
value except as physical exercise, and
the men know very little of the posi-
bilities of the weapon.
1t is recommended that the minimum
pay of first sergeants be $50 a month. as
the position filled by these men is most
important, and the efficiency of the COM
pany is largely dependent upon them.
General Wood also recommends that ex-
pert rifiemen be given an Increase of pay
of 81 month for each year they qualify.
that sharpshooters be given 50 a month
and marksmen 81 a month increase In pay
for each year they qualify.
The abandonment Of the haversack is
recommended, as it is so placed as to be
great hindrance on the march, interfering
greatly in getting through thickets or
grass, and is usually soaked in crossing
ported on the hips and by straps passing
over the shoulders and under the arms is
recommended
To Increase Troops Mobility.
Says General Wood: Far more work
under the full field equipment is neces-
sary If we are to develop what Is, as
rule. entirely neglected the marching
training of the soldier; the development
Of his ability to march with his equip
ment This ability depends upon we'll
developed muscles and familiarity with
the load and cannot be left to be picked
up when war is on without great risk of
disaster Mobility Is one of the greatest
factors. and unless we are counting on
always meeting an enemy as unprepared
as we are, more attention should be paid
to the instruction of the soldier in march,
ing and shooting with the full field equip
ment on. At present there is very little
of this type of instruction in our service,
and our troops need it badly. Daily in
Guiding 100 rounds of ammunition and a
weight equivalent to three days rations,
combined with two practice marches a
week under this equipment, has been pre-
scribed for and carried out by the infantry
Of this department during the past year.
Swimming 80 yards with the full equip
ment Except the rife), including 100
upon, and a large portion of the men have
qualified, and practically all have been
taught to swim. Cavalrymen have been
taught to swim and to control their horses
In the water. No complaints have been
received from the men concerning these
exercises. They have recognized them as
vital to the real efficiency OF the soldier.
1.-The instruction in the use of the bayo-
net should be systematically carried out
in every infantry company and. as herein
recommended, materials for such instruc-
ton should be furnished.
General Wood closes his report by adj
yising that officers who are especially fit
for this work shall be sent to Europe to
study and report upon the European mill
tary systems.