The Delta independent., 1917-04-13
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

W OOu TdHhS beneTdl Dell.
Leonard Wood has been outspoken in
his demands for preparedness, and at
times the spirit of his words have
seemed TO be critical of the administra-
tion. The best military opinion seems
to pe that Woods new command will
be more important than the one which
he has relinquished. He will have
charge of the department which in
cludes the southeastern states with
their coast lines. If the United States
ever is to be invaded by the armies of
European nations the invasion will be
attempted by way of the country over
which Wood will exercise military con-
troll. Ii is possible, therefore, that the
general has been promoted rather than
denoted. There is Il sharp difference
Of opinion about The matter, however.
Bells Long and Brilliant Career.
Some second Kiplins should write
Of one Of the deeds of J. Franklin Bell.
The general went over TO the Philip
pines as a first lieutenant of the Sew
enth cavalry. He had not been in the
islands long before he was put in com
mand of volunteer force composed
almost wholly of regulars whose terms
of enlistment had expired, but who
were willing to take on n short term
of duty to help In the clearing up of
the work which they aided in starting.
Back in one of the provinces was
band of Tagalogs which had given
the government forces a lot of trou-
BILE and annoying attention.
.,tfl laI h.a IN tho vicinity
of Tagalog village. Night fell and
the Tagalogs We're all unsuspicious of
the approach of the white enemy. At
three o'clock in the morning, when
sleep always hangs heavy on the eyes,
Bell led ais men toward the village.
The Taglllogs had sentinels posted
along an ouGying line. After the man
ner of the people of the plains the
soldiers crept silently between the
pickets, only one OF whom was visilant
enough to detect the presence of the
enemy. He was silenced before he
had Il chance to raise cry or shot.
Village Easily Captured.
Straight into lii. village Went Bell
at the head of his men. Dawn streaks
We're beginning TO show in the sky,
but the warriors We're asleep past the
ordinary waking. for We're not the SEN
tinels posted, and were they not bound
by every tradition of tribal honor 10
be awake and watchful?
General Bell had given his men or
ders. The village was cordoned with
troops and there wasn't u mousehole OF
escape. Bell has whimsical humor.
In the very heart of the Tagalog VII
lage was an old muZzleloading brass
cannon, trophy taken by the Taga-
logs from the Spaniards of another
day. and which the natives We're hop
ing to use against the equally hated
Americans. Bell detailed loading
party of three men. The three be-
came boys again and they rnmmed the
piece full of powder and grass wadding
after the manner of the loading OF Il
Fourth of July cannon ON the village
green in the home land.
The light of coming day was strong
enough for the conducting of opera
tons. A lanyard was pulled and the
brazen piece roared out its reveille.
The sounds of IL shook The foundations
of the Tagalog huts. 1t reused the war
rior sleepers as would the cracking of
doomsday. They came armed but
naked to the fray. The Tagalogs
looked on bayonet points and down
gun barrels and surrender came.
Rsked Almost Certain Death.
When the Seventh cavalry, in which
General Bell was then lieutenant,
reached the Philippines, the Spanish
troops were still in possession, for
Dewey had reduced the fleet, but not
Manila city and its Immediate de-
fenses. Information was wanted CON
corning the Spanish earthworks. Lieu
tenant Bell volunteered to get II, lie
didn't tell any one how he was going
To get IL. His method was daring and
novel.
Under cover of the darkness he
went to, the water front, stripped on
his clothes and plunged in. He is
powerful swimmer. On that nigh. he
swan the entire distance around the
bay. landing now and then to get
closer look at the enemy's Waterfront
fortifications. He did this unscer uf
any sentinel. If discovery had come
II meant almost certain death to- the
swimmer. He came back to his start
Ing point with full knowledge OF The
strength of the Spaniartls in heavy
guns. and when the time for the as
sault cam" the Information wus Of
priceless A>vice.