The Washington times., 1906-03-28
WRIGHT JUST|F|ES
BATTLE OF DAO
FOrmerGOvernOrCOmnend
Action of American Troans.
TAUGHT OUTLAWS LESSON
Others Who Had Experience in Philip
pines Agree That lie Fight
Was Necessary.

Regardless of the fact that members
of Congress, both of House and Senate.
continue to express their doubts as to
The justification OF the slaughter of the
Moros IN the recent engagement on
Mount Dajo. and have demanded every
bit OF information 10 be had on the sub
1ect and even more than is in the hands
of Secretary Of War Taft. every public
official who has had TO do with the
Moros in any capacity whatever. whose
views can be had, is unanimous in the
belief that the conditions resulting could
not well have been avoided under the
circumstances
The latest Endorsement OF the action is
given by Luke f. Wright, for two years
governor OF the Philippine Islands, whs
retired only recently to accept the ap-
pointment Of ambassador to Japan; Gen
eral Corbin, for several years command
or of the Philippine Division: Maj Hugh
T Scott. who as a military officer ard
provincial governor spent many months
in an earnest endeaNo~ 10 pacify the
mountain brigands. Secretary Taft, who
spent several years in the Philippines,
and was thoroughly acquainted with the
fsituation. and others who have come in
contact with the unruly Moros in an Of
sfcial capacity. have unanimously agreed
that General Wood and the officers un-
sier him should not be subjected to CEN
&ure.
Governor Wright's Views.
Governor Wright called at the State
Department this morning for final
fconference prior 10 his departure for
Tokyo. he having just arrived from his
home in Memphis, where he has heen
spending the past several weeks. With
smembers of his family. he will, leave
early in April for his new diplomatic
3cst.
Speaking of the Mount Dajo engage
ment, in which over 600 Moros, includ-
ing their women and children. were
killed in a crater in the mountain peak,
and over fifty Americans were killed
or wounded, Governor Wright said:
The Morcs, particularly on the island
of JolO, have proven to be an uncOn-
Querabie lot, and have given both the
civil and military authorities IN the
islands no end OF trouble. From their
mountain faStneSs they have rushed
down upon the natives along the coast.
rillaging and killing General Wood
had eXha uSted practically every resource
10 induce them peacefully to surrender,
and finally their murderous depredations
bad spread 10 such wholesale dimensions
that there appeared to be only one
course left open. That WAS the one
taken"
Governor Wright speaking OF his
fee their wives and children any time
10 save themselves. thought il entirely
unlikely that the officers under General
Wood permitted any wantOn slaughter
OF women or children. Such a situa-
lion no doubt was entirely unexpected.
and once the engagement was on. there
was nothing 10 do but 70 fight IL out TO
the end, regardless of the cost 10 the
bandits
Speaking OF Governor Curry. who mar
rowlE escaped death Saturday through
plaTr NJ la af.fros ff.lrr
had agreed to surrender, Governor
Wright said that the governor of the
Samar is a man OF unusual daring and
ability in the handling Of the Obstrep-
ercus natives of those islands His mil
itary and war schooling in the regiment
OF Rough Riders, which has graduated
so many gallant lighters, seems to have
peculiarly fitted him for the Philippine
service" sa the governor His work
IN Luzon while he was governor Of that
province is especially COmmcndable
What he accomplished with the belliger-
Cnt natives there is next 10 unbclicV-
able"
Governor Wright stated that Governor
Curry was assigned to pacify the rebel
lious spirit of the natives in the province
of Isabella. in the extreme northern end
of the island. two years ago. The mill
tary and COnstabulary seemed 20 be OF
little avail toward bringing about 4
peaceful condition of the island. so the
governor went alone into the mountains
unarmed- He made his way into the
widest SeCIlOnS OF the interior. where
the natives were most savage, and there
he lived for several months, pursuing his
own course as government missionary.
As Religious Missionary.
As religions missionaries preach the
Gospel in China, Governor Curry preach
ed the American Constitution to the
Tuncivilized tribes of Luzon. Finally he
came down from the mountains. with
the natives following him. They were
then taught more cs Christianity and re-
spect for the STAR and Stripes and al
lowed TO return 10 The mountains. where
they spread the spirit of pacification
among the other natives
A private in the American army-his
name was Stbley, / believe-deSerted one
day and fed into the interior. where
he attempted TO install himself as chief
Governor Curry sent word by one of
the converted natives to his band to
bring their newly-elected chief with
them Promptly they led Sibley into
camp"
The island of Samar has been one of
the most difficult of all the islands to
conquer. according to Governor Wright
When Governor Curry had finished his
mission in Luzon he was transferred
TO Samar to produce the desired re-
suits among the natives there. They
were mostly religious, unciviIized, and
un-Christianized fanatics, with a most
unruly spirit. At the head of one band
of the Pulajanes was chief known as
Pope" Pablo Bulo. who was 4 much
feared spiritual and religious leader.
Shortly before l left the Philippines
last December, the pope had promised
Governor Curry that ne would come in
and lead a peaceable life" said Gov
ernor Wright, but / have not heard
whether he kept his word IT is likely
that it was this band. the treachery- of
which cost a number of lives of the
constabulary Saturday and who came
near ending that of the governor Some
time before 1 left, Bishop Hendrick bad
promised to send q couple of Jesuit