The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-15
USED CHILDREN
TO STOP BULLETS |! II.
Moro Fanatics Carried Entire
Families Into Batt1c.;Woineil
DrcsscdLikc Men.
GENERAL WOOD Ex0NERA1 go
President Declares Command Has
Performed a Most Gallant
and soldicrly Feat
tBy Associated Press,

lBy Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, d. c., Mnrch H.-a
cablcgram from General Wood regardint
criticisms OF the recent batt1e OF Noun
Eujo on the Island OF Jolo, together viii
correspondence between the President am
Secretary Tafto the subject, were mad,
public to-day.
General Woods cablegrnn, WIS IN an
swer to one sent to him at the dIrcc
ton OF Secretary Taft, who callcd at
tention 10 tho criticisms Of .wantoY
slaughter Of Moros." and asked him L
send all the particular. General woods
reply denies that there was any whntor
killing, and says a considerable number
o. women md children were killed II
the fight because they were actual,
In the works when assaulted, that Moro
women wore trousers and that children
were used as shields.
The reply was scne by Secretary TAI
to the President wltlisn note In which tllt
secretary says that General Woods an,
-swcr seems to him to show most clearl,
that tho unfortunate loss OF life wns
wholly unavoidable, TO which the Pres.
tdent replied that General Woods an.
swer "is, of course, entirely satisfac.
terry.
General Woods Dispatch
General Woods dispatch and the Prcsi
dents reply to Sccrctnry Taft's lettel
follows:
".rhc Military Secretary. washington.
ID. c.:
..In answer to Secretary OF 1yar,s
request for information, March 18th.
was present throughout practically
the entire action and inspected top OF
crater aftcr action was finished. Am
convinced no man. woman or. child
was wantoniY killed. "a considerable
number OF women and children were
Killed In the fght--nuniber unknown.
for the reason that they were actual
~ In tie works when assaulted, and
ere unayoidably Killed III til. fierce
hand-to-l,nnd fighting which took
place In the narrow lnciosed spaces.
aioro women wore trousers and
were dressed. armed. much like tho
men. and charged with them. The
children were Ia many cases used by
Tho men as shields while charging
troops. These incidents arc much to
DC regretted. hut 1t must Ic UNDER
stood that the Moros, one and ALL were
lighting. not only as enemies. bur re-
Mgious fanatics. believing Paradise TO
be their Immediate reward II killed IN
action with Christians. They appar-
entity desired that none be snyed Some
81 our men. one n hospital steward,
we're cut Zip while giving assistance
to wounded Moros. and by those
!eigning death for the purpose of
getting this vengeance. person.
ally ordered assistance given
wounded Aforos and that food
and water should he sent them and
f,aI NJ
friendly Aforos were at once directed
70 proceed to tue mountain for sfis
purpose. do not believe that IN this
pr In other fights, any American SOL
der wantonly killed n Moro woman or
child. or that lie ever did II except
untvoidabiy In close action.
Action w;is most desperate and
Was Impossible for men fighting lit
orally for their lives In close quar-
tors TO distinguish who would he In
tured by flrc. In all action agains!
aforos. we have begged Moros again
ana again to hight az men, and keep
women aud children out OF II. /
assume entire responsibility for ac-
and II any evidence develops In any
way bearing out tho charges, viii
act at once
WOOD.
What President Says.
The Presidents letter follows:
s.Whitc House. Washing, March II, 1895.
my Dear Mr.. Secretary.
have received your letter OF
March 18Th, with accompanying cable
Of General Wood. answering your
Inquiry as tot the alleged wnnton
slaughter Of Moros. 1'lis answer IS.
OF course. entirely satisfactory. The \.
officers and enlisted men under Cen
cral Woods command have .per-
formed n most gallant and soldIerly
feat IN q way that confers added
credit on the American army. They
nre entitled to the lieartiest admira-
tlon, and praise of all their fellow
citizens. who are glad to kei the honor
Of the flag upheld by tile courage OF
the men wearing the American uni
form. Sincerely. yours,
s.THEODORE ROOSEVEI.T.t
= Hon. William II . Taft Secretary Of d
War. .s s.