ich Pershing was to find his field of activity were
as difficult as any in the islands. For years the natives had been
accustomed to import arms from Borneo and elsewhere. Certain of the
tribes were famous also for their skill as forgers of swords, krises
and barongs. Every datto had numbers of lantaka or brass cannon and was
well skilled in the use of them. Pershing's problem was not only to
subdue these men,--farmers, artificers and all alike fighters after
their own manner, but he must also at the same time convince them of the
good will and helpful intentions of the new Government, which for a time
and for their own good was now to control them. Naturally suspicious,
treacherous in many ways, the Islands presented difficulties that well
might have staggered the young officer.

General Pershing's first term of service in the Philippines was from
1899 to 1903. In the interval between his first and second terms of
service as soldier and governor in the Islands, he was back in the
United States to serve on the General Staff and also was serving as
military attache in the army of General Kuroki in the war between Russia
and Japan.

In his first years in the Philippines his work was of a character that
made him known to the Army and to the authorities at Washington, but it
did not make him widely known to his countrymen.

Briefly stated, his record during his two terms of service in the
Philippines is as follows: he was in the field November, 1900, to March,
1901, against General Capistrano, the commander of the insurrectionary
forces; he was in command of an expedition against the hostile Moros of
Maciu, starting from Camp Vicars, Mindanao, September 18, 1902. In the
actions at Guam, September 18, and at Bayabao, September 20, 1902, he
had a responsible part. On September 29, 1902, he captured Fort Moru,
driving the Moros from that Peninsula on that date. He attacked the
Moros at Maciu, September 30, 1902, capturing their two forts and then
returned to Camp Vicars October 3, 1902. He was again in action at
Bacolod, April 6-8, 1903, and again at Calabui April 9, 1903, and Iaraca
River, May 4, 1903. He commanded the first military force that ever
encircled Lake Lanao.

In May, 1902, General Chaffee was desirous of securing a young leader
to deal with the troublesome and specific problem in the province of
Zamboanga, where the fierce and turbulent little Moros dwelt. Many of
these people were Mohammedans and had been ta