Evening star., 1898-11-18
LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Views of 1t as Given by Washington
Soldier Boy.
Member of First CALIFORNIA; Rcpiment
Gives His ENperiences-Nntive
Rebellion Against spain.

Washington High School boy who en-
Ested in the LIST California r gimert UP n
the declaration Of war with spain. and
VINO is now in Manila. has written ,e,-
ter to friends in this city. under date OF
Septs smber ~. ls!S, as follows:
We have row been in the Phiiinune
Islands for about three months. havins ar
rived here, after thirty-nins days VOYAGE
across the Pacific ocean. the I'd dan of
July. You have probably heard of The
principal events of the voyage over, the
stoppage at Honolulu and the taking of
Guam Island. one of the Iadrone group,
situated about 2.20) miles from the Thil-
ippines. 1 have seen little of every kind
OF life TO which soldiers of the Uni,ed
states are subjected, including camp life
at San Francisco and a months experience
on a transport ship; camp in tropical
chime during 4 rainy season, in shelter
tents. where a man is compelled to step
outside in order 10 dress. whether IN sun
shine or rain. and finally We have come to
the easy part Of our military life.
We are now I'm barracks on the ground
OF the governor generals palace. a suburb
OF Manila. Thus you can see | am a vet
eran in every sense OF the word, for though
/ forgot to mention H. / have been under
ilre On two or three occasions. in one Of
which our company alone lost five men
wounded and one kiled-our captain, Rich
ter. But there is no more fighting to be
done, and We look for a speedy return
home. That depends however lpon the
disposition of the islands and the number
OF troops to be retained mere We OF The,
volunteers here are snXiously awai ing the
result of the findings of the commission
appointed to arrange affairs i'm resnart 10
this question.
About the Philippines.
I've occupy our time principally with the
reading Of old newspapers speaking i'm
provised Spanish and buying souvenirs for
cur friends at home. / suppose the Philip
pines are attracting an extraordinary
amount of attention in the states Now 2
few remarks from a temporary resident
here would cast light upon many disputed
points in regard To the Inhabitants. eli
matte conditions. and also in reference tC
the insurrectIon which so lately ended here
In the first place the inhabitants of these
ISLANDS are of a color similar 10 a light
negro, so familiar to the residents of Wash
ngton. They have features of a refined
cast. and lovely black silk hair They are
an easy-going people, whose only charac-
teristic seems to be hatred of Spain her
people and everything connected with the
Casulian government in the islands. The
weather here is very hot from March to
June, with almost continual rain from June
to September. followed by a few months of
cooler weather. SO you see we are now en-
joying the most delightful climate the Phil
tie, for at the best the climate is never
healthful The heat is greatly intensified
by the humidity, here and everywhere at
present.
The Rebellion.
I'm regard to the rebellion that has been
going on here for nearly two years. | have
very little 70 say. owing to the measer Sup
ply of information which l can CLEAN from
with European residents
Earn In ha
become so obnoxious to the natives, aad
abuses and iLdignities had been heaped
upon them so VI remittingly. that the best
element among them decided to demand ra-
forms of the Spanish government. This
party was headed by Rial an intetIistut
rat tive, educated in the best European
schools. a distinguished linguist. also a
man of medicine and law, in fact we'll
able TO take his place by the side Of great
er scholars and diplomats of Christe,.doro.
But many of the Fiipinos. in fact, the ma
Jcrity, believe that nothing short u abso.
lCte independence would satisfy their needs
Sc that whe1 this latter class began 20 hold
meetings in the neighborhood of Mania TO
further their obellious schemes the Span-
ism authorities that stern measures
would be necessary, and Immediately ar
rests were n de all over the city and
among the rciCrm class of the natives ROT
Wlthstandi1g TIE fact that they had work
ed IN direct opposition TO the more radical
OF their fellow oountrymen. In a short tia.
all the leaders had oeen shot
RiZal. on acc cunt of his great intellect
ualty and general superiority over his fol-
low men, was sent to Spain for trial
through the insIumentality of isiauco
tf.en governor general of the islands Tpon
MS arrival in Spain a landing was denied
the distinguished islander. and he WAS has
TED back to his native land. to be shot or
dCne away with in some mysterious man
ner. there being no Blanco there to defend
him. " '0-'N
Gaining in Strength
Meanwhile the rebellion was gaining
strength and numbers and was going on I'm
earnest by the last of the year. About six
months ago, as nothing had been gained
by either rarty, war between the United
States and Spain was imminent, and Spain
suggested a six months armistice To the
natives for the purpose of granting the de-
manded reforms. The suggestion was ar
cepted upon the promises that about ff,y
OF the leaders should absent themselves
from the country upon the payment 30
them OF a large sum Of money. and that
an Engish merchant Of Manila accompany
them to Hong Kong to forestal treachery
on the part Of the Spanish government
After this the Philippines were brought so
prominently before the eyes of the civilized
world that they have been well able Ia oh
serve the progress of the revolution until
this time.
"Aguinaldo, the present leader, has only
recently sprung into prominence. gained by
parental prestige.
such long letter has so weared me I'm
TINS torrId land of sunshine and flowers
that must discontinue, begging that Won
folks at home will remember the lads i'm
the far-away islands of tho Ioaciso r.