The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-04-03
COL. HARTFORD TELLS OF WORK
OF ENDING LApRoNIsM.
When Americans Took Charge Of Fill.
ipino Affairs, Desperate Gangs
Were in controi-Their Reign
10 Over.
BY COL. HAReoRD.

the American government took on its
hands when it began the pacitication
OF these islands. was the suppression
Of ladronism. Since remote times this
had been recognized Institution, and
even Spain at the height OF its power
In the islands. had been able to do lit
tie towards exterminating the lawless
bands. 1t was lucrative calling, and
the native robbers were men of dar-
ing, lawless character, who lived in
the Businesses and jungles. and who
had colleagues. often directors. or ac-
tual chiefs. possibly residing within
town limits. Robbery and pilage was
the business of these gangs. and cat
tie stealing their principal and most
lucrative occupation. That organized
ladronism could exist 80 long was due
to the peaceful and tfmd disposition
OF the average native. Rather than
endanger life and property. informs.
ton In regard to these lawless cha>-
acters was withheld, and little or no
resistance was ever made when towns
| or localities were raided
When civil government was organ
lied In the islands, July 4. 1901. reliev-
ing the then existing military govern
ment of the administration and control
of the AFFAIRS of the archipelago, 1t be-
came necessary to establish an in.
sular police force. and the Philippines
constabulary was organized This
force consisted at first of 800 officers
and men. but was later reduced to
5000 officers and men-the present
strength. AS was to be expected after
prolonged warfare. in a country con-
sisting OF numerous Islands. diversified
by mountain and jungle. inhabited by
different races and tribes. the transit
ton from war to peace was not ALSO
lutte and definite. The organized In
surrecto forces had been broken up
and dispersed by the American troops.
but guerilla warfare succeeded and a
number OF guerilla bands were still
scattered about the Islands.
In different parts Of the islands
numerous leaders or chiefs sprang up.
backed by some hundred or 80 OF fol-
lowers. and each claimed to be the
successor OF Aguinaldo, the so.called
president of the Ftlipino renub,ic who
had been captured by Gen. Funston
after an exciting chase. In Luzon. par.
ticularly In the provinces OF Cavite.
I.aguna and BatanHas. these lawless
bands committed the most Of their
depredations. There in the maintain
Businesses, Sakay. the self.styled presi.
dent. held forth. and in his immediate
trail were such lieutenants M Mon,a.
lon, Villafucrte md some few others
all OF whom were either killed or OK.
ecutcd later on In BIlibid nrisop The
crimes committed by these lawless
bands had for the most mart their own
people M the victims. RapIne. and
murder were events OF daily occur.
renee. and n reign of terror existed In
the provinces surrounding Manila. In
towns where the people showed nny
particular friendship for the Amcri.
can. these night raiders were won, IN
visit, and their departure was zen.
orally marked BY the firing Of the res.
licences of the moor pencefui natives
and the carving m of the wives mud
DAUGHTERS of those who wore known
Rs the Amcrlcapis,as Hamxtrinv,nr
burning alive md rourins m, The owe,
were f.vorI,e nmuscmcn,. NJ ,h.sc
das,srds. and most of the crimes com.
mitted were indeed of n p,o.i scna,.h
nature. In tho northern mart Of the
Island OF Luxop. a band Of i.droncs
held forth for some few year, and
gave the constabulary great trouble