New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-13
General Pershing Reports Hand
IN Hand Fight in StormIng
Of Rebel Trenches
Alter Uphill Rush.
MOUNTAIN GUNS IN ACTION
crltan of Jolo, Persuading Ma
tives That This Country Is
Tributary to Him, Puts
Small Army Into
the Field.
"a cahle q NJ Trihune ]

,.,tle with the Moros since the affair
- Bud Dajo. FIVE years ago, took place
today. the American troops success
t,uv storming the rebel trenches at
pogsae. Six United States soldiers
we're killed and twelve seriously
wounded.
Two privates Of Company NJ, Sth
United States Infantry; three of the
5,st company Of scouts and one of the
DIST company of scouts were the ones
Who met death in the charge against
the Moros.
Brigadier General John J. Pershing
VAS in command Of the American
troops. and in order TO keep the loss of
life as low as possible he had brought
m a much greater force than was nee
essary for victory
Before dawn he gave orders for the
rebel trenches TO be shelled. -Four
mountain guns raked the Gotta, and
tho commandment was continued until
daylight. Although this operation
caused great loss Of life among the fol-
,ouers Of the Sultan Of Jolo. the rebels
stuck TO their position. answering the
attack by a heavy shower of spears
and arrows and a fairly dangerous vol
lev from the rifles recently secured
through gun runners from Borneo.
Advance at Daybreak.
At daybreak General Pershing or
dered the advance against the trenches,
the bombardment being kept up until
lust a moment before the attackers
were ready for their rush.
The position of the Moros was a
strong one. as the Americans had TO
negotiate a steep incline through open
country to the Gotta, which was
guarded by crude but dangerous alb
bats Most of the fatalities occurred,
however. not during the advance, but
in the moment of handto-hand fight
ing as the Americans came over the
trenches. The Moros fought with
great desperation. but they could not
break through the line Of bayonets.
Few Of them were taken alive. They
are Mahometans. and saw in the battle
a chance for paradise promised TO all
warriors who die on the field Of battle.
In this final scufle Lieutenant Edwin
H. Rackley was stabbed in the leg.
A company Of regular infantry, a
troop Of cavalry, seven companies Of
scouts and two companies Of cOnstabu-
larry, as well as the mountain battery
and a machine gun platoon, were in
Guided in General Pershings force.
The Moros still occupy a strong posi-
ton in the hills, but it is not probable
that another frontal attack will be nee
tssary. as there are neighboring heights
from which the American commander
plans 10 shell the Moros into the open.
Claimed Supreme Power.
To-days battle was punitive Of a
long series Of outrages by the Moros.
The Sultan Of Jolo not only claimed
supreme power over all the Philippines,
hut told his followers that the United
States was a tributary nation. While
a peaceful solution OF the difficulties
raised by the Sultan was still being
sought, gifts were sent TO him by
American officials. and he used this oc-
Casion 10 support the claim that the
United States was paying him tribute.
1t is presumed that the Sultan is
with the remnant of his followers in
the hills. General Pershing has issued
PROCLAMATION that he will continue
operations in Jolo as long as there is a
gun in the hands Of a single tribesman.
General Pershing's dispatch TO Cen
eral James F. Bell. division comman-
DER Of the Philippines, states that the
Moros, who fought with their usual
desperation, were part Of the rebel
uibesmen Of the Sultan Of Jolo (better
known as the Sultan OF Sulu, Of comic
opera fame. and that the scene Of the
battle was a mountain fastness in the
interior Of the largest island OF the
Jolo group. The dispatch does not
state whether the Sultan was with his
ngnting datos. but a private account
received over the Commercial cable
from the southern islands indicates
eonclusiyely that the royal pensioner
OF the United States has formally laid
cain % sovereignty over the entire
United States, basing his extraordi-
nary stand upon the homage done him
oy General Bates, former President
Iaft and Generals Wood and Pershing
and the gifts and pension given to him.
lhese, he declares TO the datos, were
IN the nature Of tribute given him "by
me American vassals."
General Bell is awaiting detailed
account which will, Of course. be at
once forwarded to Washington. Cen
erai Pershing, however, has already
PAD tribute TO the bravery Of his
command and recommended several
o'ncers and enlisted men for medals Of
honor.
The first news Of the battle came
from the insular wireless station at
zamboanga.