instant. All captured arms were broken, and all captured ammunition, all rations and extra clothing were burned that nothing might fall into the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant Velasquez recommends the following-named enlisted men for meritorious service, to take precedence as listed: Second-Class Pvt. Mariano Camonoyon, FirstClass Pvt. Nicola Bayanton, Second-Class Pvt. Manuel Callueng, First Sergt. Boinardo Tumalium, Second-Class Pvt. Bernardo Dumlod, Corpl. Jacinto Cadauan, SecondClass Pvt. Antonio Cruz, First-Class Pvts. Domingo Cuayad and Juan Birca, SecondClass Pvt. Alejandro Padasdao. I recommend that for the good of the service, Lieut. Joaquim Velasquez and 10 above-named men be awarded medals of valor as reward for bravery, their heroic courage, and remarkable endurance. All members of the detachment deserve honorable mention.

These two engagements may be classed as exceptional (though there may be many similar ones before the required degree of enlightenment obtains), while the conditions with accompanying engagements occurring in the lake provinces mentioned above are chronic.

The detective system now employed in the province of Cavite, in conjunction with ample scouts and constabulary for field service, whereby 200 ladrones have been captured during the past three months, will surely eradicate the ladrone bands there. Nearly all of the two hundred will receive long sentences under the banditry act. The conditions in this province and in certain parts of other provinces are such that no remedy short of extermination can be immediately effective. More stratagem than force and more skill in securing evidence than in making captures are required. From this it is clear that increasing the soldiers operating would not have results proportionate to the numbers, and also that soldiers untrained to this peculiar work would secure little for the expeditions involved. For years to come no one may expect to command the first constabulary district without incessant work and responsibility.

The following is from Colonel Scott's report under date of October 1: As a whole, considerable progress has been made during the quarter. This is more apparent in Cavite than elsewhere. At the present time the bands are practically all broken and but few depredations are being committed.

Much headway has been made in preventing carabao stealing, and many stolen ones have been returned to their owners. The superintendent, division of information, hopes that he will soon be able to procure sufficient evidence against certain prominent leaders of regularly organized gangs of carabao thieves to convict them. În my opinion systematic steps will have to be taken to concentrate all the carabaos in certain provinces in the pueblos on specified days, and reliable inspectors examine documents and animals in order that many animals may be seized, the alleged owners of which will then be unable to prove their ownership.

Gambling is still prevalent in many places and is proving to be the most difficult vice to eradicate. Little or no assistance is given nor can be expected from the local officials, many of whom are not only in sympathy with the culprits but are the manipulators of the games themselves. With a system of spies and facility for converting some of the prohibited games into those that are authorized, the arrest of the violators of the law, in the act of its violation, is very difficult.

The crops throughout the district are better than was anticipated that they would be earlier in the season, and in many districts where food has been scarce and the people unemployed and hungry the prospects are now that they will be in better condition than for years.

I can predict only misfortune for the organization of the Union Obrera. The people are not prepared for an organization of this kind, and I feel considerable misgiving as to the results if it is allowed to continue and spread. I believe that the welfare of the people demands its suppression. The far-reaching effects of such an organization upon the masses of an ignorant people whose country is just recovering from the effects of war, many of whom are idle and easily influenced by designing and unprincipled leaders, needs no comment or argument.

In conclusion, I desire to state that the work of the constabulary and scouts has been efficient and loyal. But few cases of abuse and oppression have been proved, and in no case has the culprit been allowed to go unpunished.

SECOND DISTRICT (BICOL).

[Headquarters Lucena, Tayabas; Col. H. H. BANDHOLTZ, commanding.]

This district comprises seven provinces, including various ethnographical elements, among which Bicols and Tagalos predominate. At the time of my last report part of this district (Albay Province alone) was keeping about 300 constabulary and nearly twice as many scouts most busily occupied in field work. After a vigorous campaign against the several leaders, having a combined strength of about 200 guns and 800 bolos, in which both scouts and constabulary under Colonel Bandholtz's efficient command rendered most satisfactory and difficult service, the province has been cleaned and agriculture and trade have resumed their normal activity. The following account of the Albay insurrection is taken wholly from Colonel Bandholtz's report dated December 15:

On June 30 nearly all the towns of this province were reconcentrated, and both the constabulary and scouts were actively and persistently engaged in operations against the ladrone bands of "Gen." Simeon Ola, "Col." Lazaro Toledo, "Lieut. Col." Tito Saculo, and "Lieut. Col." Agustin Saria. These different chiefs had with them a total of nearly 1,000 men, mostly armed with bolos and with about 150 firearms, according to our estimate.

On July 15 the first really important and decisive engagement took place in the town of Jovellar, which was garrisoned by a detachment of the Thirty-first Company, Philippine Scouts (Tagalos). On the day in question there was a detachment of only 25 scouts in the town, in charge of Sergt. Nicolas Napolis, when they were attacked by nearly all of Ola's force, including 60 guns and about 250 bolomen. The latter made a fierce and determined attack upon the scout cuartel, but were met by a most obstinate and gallant defense. Sergeant Napolis handled the situation skillfully. At one time, when his ammunition was nearly exhausted, he sent a few of his men to make a dash to an adjoining house, from which they returned with boxes of commissary supplies. The scouts then immediately called to the ladrones to come on, as they now had plenty of ammunition. This ruse caused the attackers to hesitate, and while they were hesitating they were struck in the rear by Lieutenant Sutherland with another detachment of about 25 scouts and Lieutenant Sommer with an equal force of constabulary. These reinforcements immediately turned the tables and drove the ladrones in a demoralized condition into the hills. They left behind them 15 dead on the field. According to their own subsequent accounts they lost about 20 killed and 30 wounded, among the latter being Hugo Palermo, who, with Toledo, was one of the few very aggressive ladrone leaders. Ola told me afterwards that the scouts taunted them throughout the attack, calling them cowards and daring them to come on. Sergeant Napolis and all of his companions deserve great credit for this gallant defense against overwhelming odds, and he has been recommended for a certificate of merit. During this engagement 1 scout was killed and 2 wounded.

On August 4 Sergeant Japon and 25 constabulary soldiers were attacked in camp by Ola's command, but were so well entrenched that they defeated their assailants, who left 15 dead on the field and withdrew, fearing the approach of other troops. Sergeant Japon again, with 30 men, on the 10th, struck Ola's band by surprise and killed 12. Ône constabulary soldier was wounded in the cheek in this engagement. Sergeant Japon was very soon afterwards promoted subinspector.

After the three engagements above mentioned it was impossible to force the ladrones into a fight. They were struck frequently by surprise, many killed, wounded, and captured.

I found upon my arrival in Albay Province a large force of native volunteers who had been armed with guns. While such auxiliaries have frequently rendered valuable assistance, and can sometimes be employed to a great advantage, I could not see that the volunteers of Albay had as yet accomplished anything. One company had expended more ammunition than all the constabulary and scouts put together, without obtaining results, and I therefore promptly disarmed them all, and learning afterwards that this was done just in time to prevent some of them practically turning their arms over to the ladrones, as had been done by the volunteers in the town of Oas during the month of February, when Ola succeeded in getting 47 Springfield

carbines through the treachery of the volunteers and residents of that town. Subsequently I gave a few guns to the volunteers of Jovellar and Albay as a reward for services rendered.

The seat of the trouble in Albay Province was in the section extending along the main road reaching from Albay to Libon, and which contained a population of nearly 150,000. Along this section I had about 750 troops for enforcing the reconcentration, and at the same time carrying on active operations against nearly 1,000 ladrones in the field.

After the Jovellar fight, taking advantage of the demoralized condition of the ladrones, I decreased the size of detachments in the field in order to increase the number of such detachments. By this means we so harassed the ladrones that they became discouraged and completely worn-out. As a result, the bolomen soon commenced to surrender in large numbers. At Guinobatan alone nearly 300 surrendered to Lieutenant Paegelow, Philippine Scouts.

We found from experience that the bolomen were more to be feared than the riflemen, as the thick hemp fields offered excellent opportunities for bolo rushes. In addition, the bolomen always served as the outposts, and after their surrender we struck the ladrones with more frequency and developments came more rapidly, as the riflemen were unable to stand the strain of such frequent movements with additional guard duty. When these ladrones surrendered they were in an emaciated condition, many of them covered with tropical ulcers. Some of them had ulcerated holes in their calves into which a man could thrust his fist.

In the latter part of September, Simeon Ola, with my knowledge and consent, entered into communication with the presidente of Guinobatan, and desired a conference. I permitted the presidente of Guinobatan, Don Ramon Santos, and Lieutenants Paegelow and Pyle to go to Ola's camp, giving them instructions that no armistice would be allowed and that nothing but unconditional surrender would be received, authorizing them to add, however, that none of the outlaws would be shot or hung on the plaza of the town immediately on arrival, but that they would be treated as prisoners until the court had decided as to their fate. As a result of this conference Ola accompanied the above-mentioned gentlemen into Guinobatan with all of the men and guns then with him. He turned over that date 33 firearms, which was the first large surrender that had been accomplished. In the beginning he wished an armistice of ten days to get his men together, but I had previously instructed my officers that nothing of the kind would be allowed, but that he should surrender with all the soldiers present with him and that he would be allowed to bring in the others subsequently.

The surrender of Ola was practically the end of ladronism in Albay Province, as by his example and influence the other leaders all came in within a month and gave themselves up with their soldiers and arms. Palermo surrendered to me at Ligao, Tito Savulo surrendered to the commanding officer at Polangui, and Toledo surren dered to me at Guinobatan.

This outbreak in Albay differed in many respects from that of any other province. Some of the ladron leaders, like Saria and Saculo, had always been ladrones and followed the bandit life for the love of it. Ola and some others were unquestionably driven to the hills by the persecutions of their local enemies and municipal officials, and their followers augmented so rapidly and they were so successful in the beginning that their heads were naturally turned. I wish to add, that from the day Ola surrendered he acted in the most honorable way on all occasions, and worked sincerely and effectively in inducing and enforcing the surrender of the other outlaws. As to the reconcentration which was enforced in Albay Province, it was such only in name, without any pitiless shooting down of defenseless women and children and such other attendant horrors as are generally associated with the word reconcentration. There was no starvation, as all the people were given sufficient food for their needs provided they performed some work, and in case they were sick or helpless, the food was furnished gratuitously. With the few troops at my command it will be seen how impossible it would have been to have established cordons about any of the towns and at the same time have engaged in active operations. The object of the reconcentration was not to punish the people indiscriminately, but to deprive the ladrones of the means of subsistence in the interior, and to enable the troops to operate freely without fear of injuring innocent people.

Since June 30, in Albay, there were 36 engagements, resulting in the killing of about 200 ladrones and the capture or surrender of about 700 others, with 150 firearms. Agustin Saria, with 8 guns, is the only one still at large, and I feel sure that he will soon be captured.

As to the officers, both constabulary and scouts, on duty under me during these operations, I can not speak too highly of their energy, faithfulness, and success.

At this time the province of Albay is undoubtedly cleaner of ladrones than ever before in its history. However, it will be necessary to watch with great care in order that no small bands may gradually develop.

At this date, of the captured and surrendered bandits in the campaign, 140 have received long-term sentences, and two courts are still hearing Albay cases.

The extermination of Gasic and his band in Mindoro was accomplished by Lieutenant Holtman, Philippine Scouts, who struck his camp July 19, capturing 10 guns and killing 20 bandits, and by Lieutenant Gilsheuser and Subinspector Basa, both of the constabulary, who located his camp November 19 and captured him with most of his followers, 17 guns, and numerous bolos.

The killing of the bandit Bigote and several of his band by Lieutenant Kellermeyer leaves Sorsogon in a satisfactory state.

Tayabas is the largest province in the district, as well as in the archipelago; it is also, by reason of its topography, dimensions, and tendency in certain of its parts to fanaticism and ladronism, one of the most difficult in which to maintain order. The hanging of the bandit "Pope" Reos, December 11, will not fail to have a good effect and moral influence on others having similar ambitions to those that actuated him. Until the recent incursions of Pablo Avila and his band from Ambos Camarines, Tayabas had been enjoying almost complete respite from organized ladronism. His success in securing arms by assault on the municipal police of the towns of Gumaca, Catanauan, and Ragay has given a renewed impulse to ladronism and encouraged him and his followers.

Avila's band and Saria with his 8 guns out in Albay represent practically the only robber organizations of present importance in the second district.

Colonel Bandholtz reports as follows:

During the period covered (from June 30 to December 15) by this report there have been about 50 engagements with ladrone bands, resulting in the capture of over 200 firearms, and in the killing of nearly 300 armed enemies of the Government, and the turning over to the courts for trial of about 1,000 others. I estimate that at the maximum there are not over 50 firearms of all classes still in the hands of the outlaws in the entire district, and I believe that the next six months will show a most material reduction in this number. Everything considered, the seven provinces of the second district are at this writing quieter than ever before in their history.

THIRD DISTRICT (VISAYAN).

[Headquarters, Iloilo, Iloilo, Lieut. Col. W. C. TAYLOR, commanding.]

This district, comprising the three Panay provinces, the two Negros provinces, Paragua, Samar, and Leyte, has been handled solely by constabulary. The results attained here have been highly satisfactory and there is not a single ladron leader of any prominence in any of the provinces, if "Pope" Isio, from whom nothing has been heard for months, be excepted.

Several fanatical pulajan bands have been exterminated since my last report, largely through the instrumentality of the aid and information given by the people to constabulary officers. With the exception of the province of Iloilo where carabao thieves are banded together and in some cases protected by people of influence, there is not a province in the district where efficient volunteers may not be secured to reenforce the constabulary whenever required. It will be

necessary to add a few more officers to the present force of that province as soon as they are available and also to establish a section of the information division there before conditions be satisfactory.

Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor deserves great credit for the generally satisfactory conditions obtaining in his district. The following is from his report dated December 15, 1903:

The past six months have been by far the most peaceful of any like period in the twenty months of my service in the third constabulary district. The period of lawlessness which always follows a state of war is at an end. Crime is no longer attributable to seditious or treasonable motives, but to the inborn characteristic of the native to prey upon his neighbor for gain, revenge, or love of adventure. As the higher crimes become less and the natives living under the influence of civilization seek to once more follow peaceful pursuits the savages appear again, as before the war, to prey upon the property and lives of the lowland people.

The trials, convictions, and hangings of the past few months for crimes committed during the year have been a great factor in hastening peaceful conditions and bringing doubtful people to the side of the Government. The element for peace, encouraged by beneficent laws and their impartial execution, is wonderfully strengthened, as shown by the increased assistance given the peace officers in ferreting out criminals and the interest taken in public schools established by the Government.

Twenty months ago armed insurrection or brigandage was flourishing in Samar, Leyte, Negros and Panay. Outbreaks occurred in Surigao and Cebu within a year. At this writing all insurrection with its aftermath of lawlessness has ceased and the brigandage which terrorized Negros and Panay is now confined to a very small section of the province of Iloilo. These thieves are now forced to live entirely in the mountains and have recently threatened towns across the mountains in Antique Province.

Other events worthy of note are Major Borseth's (Philippines constabulary) discovery of a new Pulajan movement in Leyte and the capture of the leaders; the murder of a number of people in western Capiz by savages from the mountains; the partial burning of the town of Córdoba, Iloilo Province, by a band of carabao thieves. The latter was caused by the refusal of one native to give up his carabao and his vigorous defense of his home. The thieves set fire to his house and others burned with it. The ordinary native house is worth about one-sixth the price of a carabao, and as this man saved his carabao in the confusion he is the gainer.

With the decadence of lawlessness, the constabulary can give more attention to the theoretical instruction of its members and the municipal police. The administration of the organization has improved wonderfully in the past six months but we yet have to complain of a lack of a sufficient number of qualified officers.

FOURTH DISTRICT (ILOCANO).

Headquarters, Vigan, I. S., Maj. J. S. GARWOOD, Commanding.

This district includes the three coast Ilocano provinces, the Cagayan River provinces, and the mountain provinces (Abra, Lepanto-Bontoc and Benguet) of north Luzon. While the dominant dialect is Ilocano, there are scores of others, including Tunguiane, Igorote, Calinga, Ibanag, Ifugoo, etc. One of the chief duties of the constabulary in this district is of an educational nature. An effort is being made to establish posts in the most remote important rancherías and gradually to enlist men, some of whom have rarely seen a white man, with a view to making them maintain order among themselves and by associating individuals of hostile headhunters in the constabulary ranks bring about peace between warring rancherías. The field is large and may require, depending upon the degree to which the measure is carried, considerable numbers of constabulary.

The renegade and bandit Vister, who led the disturbances in the Ilocano Provinces nearly a year ago, was recently run down and killed by the constabulary of Bataan.