The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-07

the observer h comes to the Philip
pines these days must be restricted to
these because of the era of peace, for
Which these same Filipino soldiers are
largely responsible. Others in far bet
ter position to know tell of what the
scouts have done and of what they are
capable of doing.
The first of the scouts We're Macabe-
hes. Inhabitants of Il section of Pam
parga province to the north OF Manila.
The Macakebes had been pro-Spanish,
had served as soldiers under the old
regime, and We're hated as well as
feared by their fellow Filipinos. In the
insurrection under A%guinaldo their
towns had been burned. their fields
devastated, their women and children
killed. When the American flag took
the place of the Spanish the Maca-
bebes turned to the Americans for pro-
commands of Macabebe scouts was
granted, and these to the American
army-of SO much value that the orga-
nization of scout commands rescruited
from all parts of the strictly Filipino
i~slands-this does not include the Moros
followed. h army bill of 1901 pro-
vided for the building UP of a native
nrmy to the strength of IL, 600. 1t was
Tot. however, until 1905 that the pres
mt battalion formation was perfected.
While provision had been made for
'ft1cers 1t was at first necessary to re-
~ SAAS hA%i to III ElOySS VI llc QudE.
ermaster's department. General Smith.
the present governor general Of the
philippines. was one of the first of the
commanding officers to organize scout
Companies. These had native officers
md served under General Smith in
his Negroes campaigns along with his
regiment of Californians.
Practically every province now con-
tributes its quota to the scouts. The
present strength Of this organization is
$500. The law authorizing enlistment
to a total of II, 600 still stands, but this
Increase will probably come gradually,
The present force is sufficient so long
as infantry OF the regular army is kept
here at it's present strength.
Praised by Officers.
Some officers of the army believe ma
tive infantry could now be substituted
for that from home; others look ask
ahce upon the suggestion. A seemingly
conservative view is hat of Major
George B. duncan. senior major of
tiers i'll charge of all matters apper-
tanning to scouts. Major Duncan. who
is captain of the Fourth infantry, has
served with the scouts for three years.
MS present position is Very much that
by the officers and men Of the organi-
cation.
Until the recent change in division
there was no scout officer at
uiN tSloA NAu lelS. MAJOR Genera
Wood. who had much experience witt,
native troops in his Mindanao cam
paisns. took deep interest in the scouts,
IN whom he has great faith, and gave
his personal attention to this branch of
the service, the details being handled
by his aide-de-camp, Captain Hal
Dorey. Major General Weston has the
same interest and the same faith in
the native troops. but as he has no
had the same opportunity of intimate
touch with the organizations he has as
signed Major Duncan to act as chief of
scouts.
II see no reason" said Major Duncan,
why the scouts should not, within
three years, comprise all the infantry
on the islands. Lack of material? MOI
a bit Of it. There is never any dificuity
in inducing scouts to re-eniist. They
like the service. The companies are
always full; such a thing as desertion Is
unknown. There will be no difficulty in
keeping the commands recruited un 10
the fullest limit which congress NAV
6'E