CAMPAIGNING WITH TWENTY-SIXTHBoston_Journal_1900-05-06_3
"Lawrence's" Vivid Pictures Of Campaigning in the Philippines --- Rebels Look to Bryan
"Lawrence," one of the Boston Journal's correspondents with New England's regiment, the Twenty-Sixth, brings out in his letter printed today some very interesting points in the situation that obtains there now. He says that while the insurrection in the Island of Panay shows symptoms of reviving to a considerable extent, yet its resumption of activity is due to the wild stories spread among the natives, such as that Bryan has already been elected President, that the American troops are to be immediately withdrawn, that America is at war with Russia and similar canards. He points out the influence which the name of Aguinaldo still exerts, and makes plain that this is likely to last until the capture or final disposition of this native leader.
Speaking of the Twenty-Sixth itself, he calls attention to the increase of sickness caused largely by the difficulty of getting pure water and the sufferings which the hot season, at its height at the time he wrote, caused.
RELYING ON BRYAN
Iloilo, Island of Panay, March 20. - All expectations of the complete pacification of this island before the approaching rainy season have preforce been abandoned, and plans are being matured for the concentration of our troops in the few posts which it is intended to occupy during that time. Two months ago, to all appearances, the opposition to our Administration was about to vanish. Iloilo and Capiz Provinces were clear and quiet. Soon, however, disorder broke out in Concepcion, spread into Iloilo and necessitated and expidition into Antique. Now it has become necessary to dispatch ten companies to Antique, so bold have the Insurgents become in the mountains and no post in Iloilo Province will be garrisoned by less than two companies in the rainy season.
From contact with representative and influential natives in the interior I have been able to learn pretty thoroughly the cause of this renewal of life and apparent resurrection of faith in ultimate Filipino success in the war.
In almost every case these natives assured me that Bryan had been elected President of the United States, and had taken office on the 4th of March of the current year. The American troops were soon to be withdrawn, and the islands left to themselves.
In one case I was told of a letter from Manila which gave this important information, and urged all the people to stand firm and keep up the struggle. This rumor is widespread in the disaffected districts and is readily accepted.
Another rumor which is said by the natives to have been circulated by our friends of the European colony is to the effect that the United States is already at war with Russia, and all troops are soon to go to China. Much capital is made of the fact that the warships which have been on duty here so long have been replaced by smaller vessels, and it is reported that the whole fleet has gone from Manila to the north.
The Direful Effect
As a direct result of these malicious reports a score of brave soldiers have already been stricken down in antiquiet and the pacification of the island which is so much needed by the native population itself is put off until another year.
The assignment of troops for the wet season is not yet arranged but it is reported that garrisons will be maintained only at Pototan, Kabatuan, Leon and Miagao, with two companies at each place. Iloilo and vicinity will be the only other place occupied in this province.
The present stations of the companies of the Twenty-sixth are as follows:
Company A, Pototan;
Company B, Pototan;
Company C, Passi;
Company D, Banate;
Company E, Iloilo;
Company F, Iloilo;
Company G, Kabatuan;
Company H, Pototan;
Company I, Leon;
Company K, St. Barbara;
Company L, Barotac Nuevo;
Company M, Miagao.
Personal
Capt. and Asst. Surgeon Washburn is now at Kabatuan, having been transferred from Banate.
Lieut. Rice has been relieved from detached duty at Molo, and returned to his company, I, at Leon.
Lieut. Garrity, Company I, has been detailed as Acting Quartermaster and Commissary, Third Battalion, and is now stationed at Miagao.
Capt. William F. Meeks of New York, Quartermaster, has sent in his resignation to the Adjutant General. He succeeded Capt. Whipple of Massachusetts as Quartermaster, in December.
Lawrence
Boston_Journal_1900-05-06_3
