BATANGAS , February 11 , 1902 – 12 . 25 p . m . ADJUTANT - GENERAL DEPARTMENT NORTH PHILIPPINES , Manila :

Finished my inspection of the towns in province of Tayabas yesterday morning , and leaving there arrived here last night in order to start Eleventh Cavalry into the field proinptly . Political conditions in Tayabas exceedingly unsatisfactory . Have given orders to commanding officer of towns requiring the adoption and enforcement in full of measures which have been efficacious in Batangas , and the adoption of which was heretofore left to their discretion in Tayabas . There is no possible ques tion but what Laguna insurgents have been encouraged to continue the struggle by their ability to get food supplies from towns in Tayabas and from Manila , through the open ports of Tayabas . Their ability to do this has led many insurgents to flee from Batangas and Laguna to Tayabas , which province they use as a base of opera tions in Laguna and Batangas .

An insurgent government has also been organized at Binangonan , province of Infanta , and agents sent to communicate with Malvar and Cabelles . Stringent measures are necessary in Tayabas and will be fully taken within the limits of my authority . I expect to return to Tayabas with a large field command just as soon as the last stretch of country in Batangas has been fully searched and cleaned up , namely , the stretch of territory between Calamba - Batangas road and eastern shore of Lake Taal . I came back here on horseback , and while riding through San Juan de Boc Boc met Luis Luna , Malvar ' s adjutant - general , coming in to see the commanding officer about surrendering . Had conference with him . Was willing to surrender unconditionally , but had no arms . Was informed that he would have to remain a prisoner of war until he surrendered his entire following . Stated that being only chief of staff of Malvar , from whom he separated January 22 , he had no men under his control , but offered to use his influence to do whatever he could to bring about the pacification and render any service I might stipulate in turn for his liberty . He offered to hunt for Malvar and try to influence him to surrender . Authorized commanding officer , San Juan de Boc Boc , to let him go with another native here , hunting for Malvar .

I feel much encouraged to believe that if the ports of Tayabas could be suddenly closed without warning that this measure , in conjunction with those I have already adopted , might convince Caballes and Malvar of the futility of further continuance of the struggle , and something beneficial might result . It is also possible that the insurrection can be brought to an end without closing the ports of Tayabas , but it is worse in that portion which lies in the Fourth Brigade than it is in this . Halfway measures only tend to prolong the war , and vigorous measures were never more desirable , even though the war might be ended in time without them . Respectfully recommend that all ports in province of Tayabas be closed until further orders and that I be authorized , in case I find it necessaay , to push my operations into the southern and eastern portion of the province of Tayabas , now included in Fourth Brigade . After I whip them out of the western end they can subsist themselves in the eastern end unless the same measures are adopted to prevent it which now exist in my brigade . I expect to leave here again in a few days .

J . F . BELL , Brigadier - General

I concur in the recommendations of General Bell .
February 12 . — General Wheaton to adjutant - general division :