New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-14
Officials in Washington Do Not
Believe Sultan of JolO Is
Leading the Rebels.
GENERAL BELL REPORTS
Probably No Fiercer Battle
Since American Occupation"
Says Gen. Pershing, of
This Weeks Battle.

Washington, June 13.-Reports received
by the War Department from Major Cen
eral Bell. commanding the Philippine d.
vision at Manila. and Brgadier General
Pershing regarding the latest engage
ments between the American forces and
the Moros indicate that the Moros are I'm
an ugly and desperate mood. and will
probably cause considerable trouble. Of
icials Of the department do not credit the
reports that the Sultan Of Jolo is In SYM
pathy with the Moros. but rather declare
that he is an influential ally Of the Amer
leans. and has been a potent factor in re-
straining the lawless element
General Pershing says in his report
that probably no fiercer battle since
American occupation" has been fought
than the one between the American forces
and the Moros at Bagsak Island Of Jolo
yesterday. \ mad onslaught was made on
the American lines by the Moros. but the
latter were overwhelmed. their leader
Anil. and number Of the other leading
outlaws being killed. The Moro loss is
not given in General Pershings report
Philippine Scouts. and three Philippine
Scouts. 6lst Company. were killed and
Lieutenant Edwin II. Rackley was
wounded.
General Bells Message.
experimenting the report Of General
Pershing was the following message from
General Bell:
Fight AT Bagsak incident disarmament
policy Governor General Cameron
Forbes and Governor Moro Province
after many months patient but frutless
negotiations and promises dsregarded by
Moros. The situation arose that be
lieye left no other alternative. Anil and
relatively small following. occupying one
ward Of Island OF Joio. only Moros who
refuse to give up arms peacefully. Dis
armament generally desired by Moros
themselves. All rest surrendered arms
months ago without resistance. Under the
circumstances impossible and unjust 10
disarmed Moros permit "A few Of them re-
tain arms. Have no Information other
than message transmitted % department
Have called for further details"
General Pershing's report was as fol-
lows:
"On June y the Moros resistance a.
BaEsak was formidable. and their fort
and trenches on the precipitous side ~
the crater not only supported each other
strongly. but were defended with modern
arms. The Moros fanatically and contin-
uously tried TO rush the American lines.
bat the careful disposition OF our force
held the American loss 20 a minimum.
Probably there has been no fiercer battle
since American occupation.
Major George &. Shaw. Of the Philip
pine Scouts. commanded the right wing.
with Company ~ SIN Regiment. United
States Infantry. and the ioth Company.
Philippine Scouts. Captain Taylor A..
Nichols. of the Philippine Scouts. COM
manded the left wing with the 5ist. cd
and 2sth companies. Philippine Scouts. a
mounted gun was with each wing and
proved 81 great assistance. At the close
OF yesterday Captain Patrick Moy!an. OF
the Philippine Scouts. with two com
panies. was supporting the gun on Mount
Bunga. and the American force occupied
controlling position on the rim OF the