Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-08

men of the army engaged in the prob
lem of Moro disarmament have rendered
excellent service. They have done a
great deal of work and a considerable
amount of hard fighting. The work in
trusted to the army and the constabu-
larry has been done in a gallant and eff
cient manner. rejecting credit upon these
services.
Gen. Bells Report.
Material extracts from Gen. Bells cable
gram were made public, as follows:
Referring to your telegram of June 10,
disarmament policy under frequent dis
cussion with Moros leaders during sew
eraI years largely favored by law-abid-
ing. Industrious element. quietly initiated
eighteen months ago. resulting in peace
full surrender of about 5000 guns, and no
armed opposition except from disorderly
Moros Latiward. about twenty square
miles northern coast JOlo. These MorOs,
under - leaders, always opposed to
every effort for government control. and
never subjected to material amount OF
compulsion. began depredations upon 9TH
ers as soon as they were disarmedfi thus
necessitating the inauguration of serious
efforts for their own disarmament. Two
small engagements resulted last January,
the Moros being the aggressOr in each.
Immediately after these fights between
5000 and 10000 people stampeded to
Mount Bagsak- believing 1T impregnable.
1t had never been taken heretofore. BY
patient diplomacy and many conferences
all but 900 or 400 possessing arms, mostly
hopeless fanatics or cattle thieves and
desperadoes, were induced to return home.
These fanatics made promises. based on
conditions which were granted because
successful conclusion was desired with
out resort to fighting, but disregarded
the promises and assumed defiant atti-
tude. apparently encouraged by the idea
that the army was afraid to fight.
when no reasonable hope Of peaceful
conclusion remained Brig Gen John J.
Pershing arrived at Jolo with boats dur
ing the night of June 10, secretly en-
barked command and, landing nearby.
surrounded Bagsak the same night, pre-
and n-combatants to the mountain
again. Assaults began at daylight and
fierce fighting, part Of 1t hand to hand,
continued during five days. marked by
tenacious resistance and counter attacks
from MOros rushing on troops with ba-
rongs and hurting spears at storming
lines.
THE control Of troops by officers was
admirable thus preventing a greater
number of casualties.
Capture Of Strongholds.
1.-THE enemy was completely defeated
and all strongholds were finally taken.
None would surrender. some escaped, re-
mainder killed, including Anil and his
principal lieutenants. during the engage
ment.
Mountain guns, dragged up by block
and tackle. finally reached commanding
positions and rendered material assist
ance. Apparently officers and men, with
out exception. behaved with admirable
courage and determination. They were
constantly on duty five days and nights
Of little rest and torrential rains. Dis
trict commander commended Capt Taylor
A. Nichols. Capt. George c. Charlton Of
the Philippine Scouts and First Lieut.. Ed
win II. Rackley. also OF Philippine Scouts
for conspicuous courage and leadership
and expressed pride in the GOODNESS, cour-
scouts. who. under American officers, dis
played exceptional bravery and daring in
action.
BRIG. Gen. John ]. Pershing personally
planned and conducted Bagsak operations,
commanding the forces In person, and
sharing under fire hardship and dangers
Of the troops.
From all information ordeals are be-
iieved TO have been Of surprising Sc
verify. He and his command are enti-
has been extended. He has been sub
jected to much criticism because of
patient negotiations, forbearance and
enorts to avoid resort to fighting, but
succeeded In avoiding unnecessary in
jury to non-combatants and minimized
the casualties in his own command.
Better Conditions Prevail.
From personal observation consider
conditions now better and more peace
full than heretofore. Operations still
going on. There were armed Moros
who escaped in small bodies, but 1
think there is no occasion to anticipate
further organized resistance
This affair Will put an end to such
resistance from Moros. Several small
engagements since Bagsak resulted in
the capture and voluntary surrender Of
a number OF arms. I believe all arms
will be obtained in a short time. Pros
poets for Industrious and peaceful agrf-
cultural element throughout Mindanao