Bitter Struggle on Island of Mindanao Against Two Recal citrant Sultan:
Stubborn Defence of Cotta Manila, May 29.
The most severe battle since the cupation of the Philip-taking place in Lanao province, on the island of Mindanao.
A'body of ninety men belonging to the Philippine Constabulary are: storming the fortress of the Sultan of Ganasai, a recalcitrant Moro chieftain, who is strongly entrenched there with a large number of supporters armed with native weapons and home-made gunpowder. So far, holding out for inst' an attack supported by machine-guns, trench-mor-tara and tear-bombs. The constabulary forees retired at nightfall and ing for sunrise to renew the attack, 'The offensive is being undertaken' by Colonel Luther Stevens, the commander of the Mindanao' and Sulu Constabulary, who has been enlisting seasoned veterans, both native and American, with the express determination of extinguishing the Gefiance of the outlaws who still exist in certain parts of the island.
'A message from Manila, dated May 17, and published in the "Hongkong Telegraph" reads:—Arriving on board the Bohol last evening with the body of Lieutenan: Alfredo Maynes, who died from wounds received during the Constabulary-Moro pitched battle in Marantau, Lanao, Lieutenant A. G. Fajardo, who fought under Captain James 'R, Grinstead, provincial commander of Lanao, brought the first version of the encounter as told by a participant. In all, five of the Constabulary were kiled and nine Lieutenant Colonel Guy chief of the quartermaster also arrived on board the Bohol from Lanao where he arrived two days after the Constabulary-Moro fight.
Tears of joy were shed by Ser-Fajardo, of the con-tabulary band, father of ant Fajardo, when he met his son upon his arrival last evening. Both belonging to the same military organization, father and son embraced rach other, the father happy to sce is son alive. Commissioned in 1928, fight was Lieutenant Fajardo's frst experience on the field.
The soldiers broke open the main gate to the cotta and it was while they were entering that hidden Moros poured their fire on them.
The whole affair took place in few seconds and when it was all over Lieutenant Maynes and four privates were discovered lying dead.
Nine others, including Lieutenant Fajardo were wounded. Captain Grinstead was injured on the knee! ley sharpened bamboo sticks.
The cotta was taken by the constabulary the following—morning when the Moros entrenched in it had fled.
Colonel Fort stated last evening that one of the Moros killed during the encounter was Datu Suu, a powerful Moro chieftain. The colonel also stated that he had heard before sailing for Manila that the Sultan of Maamur and his few living followers had dispersed, some having fled to the forests after having been denied protection in other Colonel Fort also said constabulary' patrols are after them with instructions to take Sultan of Maamur jand his followers, dead or alive. This report of Colonel Fort apparently] is in conflict with a report of Gener-_ al Charles E, Nathorst, chief of the: Jconstabulary who proceeded Lanao immediately, and who reported that Sultan of Maamur has joi Jed Sultan of Ganassi at his cotta at Tugaya.
The Governor, Mr. John J. Heffington, of Lanao Province, recently] issued an ultimatum calling for the submission of the outlaws within three days. This remained unansveered, hence the attack, which is} being made under direct orders from General Charles E. Nathorst, Chief of Constabulary, with the sanction the Governor-General, Dwight E. Davis, The Sultan of Maamur, whose sistance in another stronghold on a previous occasion was responsible for the death of five men belonging to the Constabulary and ten Moros og well as injuries to nine other members of the Constabulary, {s known to be occupying the Sultan of Ganassi's "cotta" (fort) and to have! Joined forces with him. Several casuallies in the present' engagement have been reported but lack confirmation, Lieutenant Fajardo told newspaper representatives who met, him on board the ship that he volunteered to join the constabulary force that was going to fight the Moros He stated he was officer of the day) at Camp Keithley when Captain Grinstead gathered a force to fight the Moros and that he requested his company commander to relieve him 40 he could join the expedition, The lieutenant was wounded twice in the left leg a little above the knee, the first wound being caused by a'buck shot. He was next wounded by a rifle shot a few inches above the first wot In answer to criteisms that the constabulary was not fully prepared to fight the Moros, Lieut. Fajardo said the full force of the artillery was used, The true version of the fight as related by Fajardo and confirmed by ant Colonel Fort who made tigation of the fneident upon his ortival in Lanao two days after, the The constabulary, in. its routing received information that followers of the Sultan of Maamur possessed two unlicensed firearms.
Lieutenant Licerio Balolong was sent with a squad to the Sultan of Maamur's cotta at Marantay. From May 30, Following @ night-long bombard ment of the Moro fortress, in which Stokes mortars, tear-gas," machinegun and rifle fire were used, the Constabulary forces entered the stronghold of the recalcitrant Moro chieftain, the Sultan of—Ganassi, only to find it empty.
The Sultan had been entrenched) in the fortress with a large number} of supporters armed with native] weapons and had held out for many hours against the attack of the Constabulary forces, The defenders vf the fortress which, as previously reported, is in the Province of Lanao, on the Island of Mindanao, fled to the neighbouring hills through a cunningly devised underground passage.
Patrols were hurriedly organized! under Colonel Luther R. Steven tie Commander of the Mindanao and Sulu Constabulary, and Captain James R. Grinstead.
With native lieutenants, they started immediately to round up the outlaws, who are believed to be making' for other fortified cottas (forts).
Colonel Stevens reports officially that the Moros in the vicinity "pretend" friendly relations towards the the gate Lieutenant Balolong held a parley with the Sultan, urging him to turn in the two unlicensed firearms, While officer and sultan were talking, unseen Moros suddenly' fired at the lieutenant who was able
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.