Ann Arbor Boy In Philippines

Ann Arbor Boy In Philippines

Until They Build Roads Fighting Will Continue

Because the Insurgents Live Off the Country While the American's Cannot.

Harry I. Tobin, a regular in the U. S. army, and an Ann Arbor boy, writes from the Philippines to his uncle, T.E. Wall. of this city, under date of Feb. 21. In speaking of the island of Samar, he says: The consolidatlon of troops there still continues, which goes to show that the end of hostilities in that troublesome island as yet far distant, but that sufficient troops will be sent there to put down all army resistance and pacify the island.

  It is the general opinion in army circles that the only way to successfully reach the insurgent forces the interior of Samar is to place a sufficient force of men in the field to construct new roads and highways, over which supplies can be transported inland and camps instituted in the heart of the enemy's country.

   The present trails are insufficient as even a mule with a pack cannot. be taken over the trails and detachments looking for the enemy cannot carry more than four or five days rations. When these are exhausted to return for a fresh supply, while the insurgents practically live off the  country, the mountain fruits and what the numerous valleys produce.

   The latest additions to the forces in Samar is one battalion of the 15th infrantry, at present stationed which has been ordered to proceed to the island of Samar and report to the general commanding for duty.

  The rains are almost continuous in that island ;it the present time, which greatly hinders the work of the troops, but by the time the wet season is over the military expect to have a sufficient force on the field to carry out the proposed plan of making trails and establishing supply stations in the interior and an aggressive campaign may then be looked for. 

   There has been a rumor of a possible outbreak in Cavite, I think that has all passed now as a force was sent over there and yesterday two surrenders took place there, one being a party of 90 men of Montalon's force with their army, and the other that of Captain Lucio of the same command, with four men and their guns, only two of which, however, were found to be serviceable. Reports received go to show that the Ladrones are being badly broken up throughout that province and there are now 15 detachments in Ladrones who won't surrender when they are given the chance, and who are chiefly kept 'in the field' though leaders. Every day reports are received of captures are or surrenders of small parties of Ladrones, and in nearly every instance the captures are effected without bloodshed on either side, which looks as if the natives are only making a half-hearted stand, and are always willing to surrender at discretion.

   I will now describe some of the country here. Laguna Bay is quite an interesting place on account of its being the scene of much of the fighting in the early part of the war with the Filipinos. Santa Mesa is the first stop that is made on the way to the bay, at which place is the  San Juan bridge, were the Nebraska sentry was stationed on the night that he fired shot which started the war. The next place of any importance is San Pedro Macati.  This is the place where General Lawton started from when he went on his expedition to Santa Cruz. The next place you come to is Laguna Bay, which is a broad expanse of water divided into three arms. This is the center of one sections of Luzon, and was for a long time a sort of headquarters for the Insurgents who operated up and down the river and around Manila, furnishing Aguinaldo and men when needed. The next place is Pagsingan, on the Lumbang river, which empties into the bay. This was the scene of the recent surrender of General Callies.