The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-07-09
GARRISON LAUDS
INSULAR TROOPS
War Secretary Says Soldiers
IN Philippines Acted Gal
lantly and Efficiently.
REPORT FROM GEN. BELL
Details Of Pershing's Campaign
Against Moros Given by Of
6cer in Charge.

The Likelihood Of Secretary Of War
Garrison making an issue of the recent
conflict between American forces in the
Philippines and fanatical Moros who re-
FUSED to give up their arms was dispelled
yesterday wien the Secretary announced
bis cordial approval OF all that had been
done by Brig. Gen. John j. Pershiug.
commanding, and the forces under him.
The Secretary of War announced this
approval upon receipt of a lengthy re-
port OF the. entire campaign against the
Moros, and he has sent a telegram Of
commentator to the American conf
.nanders in the islands. Secretary Gar
.rison expressed the hope. however. that
1t would not be necessary again to chas-
tise the Moros for outIawry and defiance
of the rule OF peace and order.
Mr.. Garrison yesterday received from
Gen. Bell a cabled report giving all de-
tails Of the causes that led up to the
fierce engagement between the American
forces and the Moro band. which en-
trenched itself near Bagsak. on the Is
land of Jolo. This report was received
In response TO his request for more COM
plete informa ton than was contained IN
the early official dispatches. His asking
for the report gave rise to the surmise
that Mr.. Garrison intended to make the
fighting at Bagsak the basis of over
turning the policy hitherto followed in
the Philippines His action in giving
hearty approval to what has been done.
removes all ground for his apprehension.
The Secretary said yesterday:
Gen. Bells reports indicate that the
officers and men of the army engaged ir
the problem of Moro disarmament have
received excellent service. They have
done great deal of work and consid-
cradle amount of fighting. The work in
trusted TO the army and the Philippine
Constabulary has been done in a gallant
and efficient manner, rejecting credit
upon these services"
Gen. Bells report Of the clash with
the Moros was, in part, as follows:
THE disarmament policy was under
frequent discussion with Moro leaders
during several years and was largely
favored by the law-abiding and indus
trious element. The order was quietly in
stituted eighteen months ago, resulting in
tn. peaceful surrender Of about 5000 guns
without any armed opposition except
from the disorderly Moros of Latiward.
occupying about twenty square miles on
the Northern Coast of the Island of Jolo.
Five Days. Fighting.
when no reasonable hope of peaceful
conclusion remained, Brig. Gen. PERISH
ing arrived at Jolo with boats during
the night of June 10 and secretly en-
Baesak was surrounded the same night.
The assaults begain at day-break and
fierce fighting, part of ii hand to hand.
continued during five days, marked by
tenacious resistance and counter attacks
from the Moros, who rushed on our
troops with barongs dong knives), and
furling spears at our storming line. The
control of our troops by their officers
was admirable. thus preventing greater
number of casualties.
The enemy was completely defeated
and all the strongholds were finally
taken. None would surrender, some es-
capped. and the remainder were killed. in
Guiding Anil. the leader. and his princi-
pal lieutenants.
From my own personal observations,
/ should say that conditions are now bet
ter and more peaceful than heretofore.
The operations are still going on against
the armed Moros who escaped in small
bodies. but think there is no occasion to
anticipate further organized resistance.
This affair will put an end to such re-
sistance by the Moros. Several small
engagements since near Bagsak have re-
suited in captures and the surrender of
al ms. ] believe all will be obtained in
a short time. The prospects of indus
trious and peaceful agricultural element
throughout Mindanao are now better
than ever before"