February 2, 1901.
Sir: I am instructed by the department commander to advise you that General Capistrano, commanding the insurgent forces in Northern Mindanao, has signified his wish to meet the department commander in conference and to direct that you take whatever measures are possible to insure his safe conduct accompanied by his staff and that of any tribes with a pass signed by the commanding general and countersigned by the adjutant general. Patrols and expeditionary forces need not be suspended but should be warned to be at special pains not to molest unresisting parties of natives and to take special care not to interfere with individuals or squadrons, to indicate that their mission is peaceful.
Very respectfully,
J. J. Pershing,
Assistant Adjutant General.
To the Headquarters Department of Mindanao and Jolo.
Cagayan de Misamis, P. I.
February 28, 1901.
Sir: I am instructed by the Department commander to invite your attention to the fact that there are at this place ten prisoners of war either now or recently officers in the insurgent forces. With one or two exceptions these officers have voluntarily surrendered one at a time and have been induced to do so with a distinct understanding that they would not be closely confined or otherwise molested so long as they refrained from all conduct which might be construed as hostile to the United States.
It is understood that most of these have severed their connections with the insurgent forces and have thrown up their appointments as officers.
You will please assemble these men, give them strict, but fair limits of arrest, extending in no case beyond the limits of the town of Cagayan de Misamis and inform them that any violation of their obligations as prisoners of war, however slight, will be followed by immediate arrest and deportation from the Philippine Islands to Guam; also that they are to report daily in a body at a stated hour to the Provost Marshal.
The Department Commander further directs that you assemble all the more prominent citizens of this and adjoining towns who are known or suspected of being in sympathy with the insurgents and inform them that they must refrain absolutely from giving aid or comfort to them and without communicating with the insurgent forces in any manner under penalty of immediate arrest and deportation.
In carrying out the terms of this order you are directed to exercise considerable vigilance and the most drastic vigor.