The Denison review., 1899-09-12
A SOLDIERS VIEWS,
John Bagge Writes of Philippine
Question.
HOW THE FIGHT BEG AN.

HOW THE FIGHT BEG AN.
Majority of Natives Favor American
Controi.-What Negros island Did
Interesting Letter.
In this writing it is my intention to
meution just little of what saw and
experienced while soldering for Year
IN the Philippines.
All who have acquainted themselves
with the state Of affairs in those islands
perhaps know how strained was the
relationship between cur government
and the Filipino people before the rup-
ture came.
For at least q month, previous to
Saturday night February 4, American
troops stationed in Manila, were not
allowed farther away from quarters
than hngle call distance. Every avail
able man was kept where he could fall
into line of duty at g moments notice.
Some thought these precautions un-
necessary ard they chafed under this
cyGtipement;s some talked of home,
while still others more recOnciled to
the situation, idled the long hours
away by playing with their pet mon
keys, game cocks OF parrots. Through
out the barracks could be seen small
groups of soldiers eagerly discussing
the state of affairs.
Outside the city. rot more than a
mile at places, laid the Philippine
army. They occupied the line of old
Spanish block houses. Their guard
line was stretched from shore to shore
through the thicket that grew around
Manila. Their sentinels, frequently
within sight of our guards, watched
their posts as faithfully in the darkness
as in the daylight. They would not al
low American soldiers to pass through
their line. So we were hemmed with
in the city by the very line of block
houses that the Spaniards used as a
fortification to protect the city. Hostile
as these conditions seemed, peace and
good order still continued.
| Such was the situation when Satur-
day, February A, faded away into
darkness. The night was beautiful;
no moon, but the stars shown brightly.
The hour was nearly ten. Taps had
ljust been sounded. Most the boys,
except those on guard had thrown
themselves down on their hunks for the
night, and dare say that to some of
them already visions of homes far away
were rising before them. Robinson,
who slept next to me, stepped to the
large doorway q moment, then said:
ssBagge, hear firing at the lines.'
l"Only your imagination" said I, ''as it
has been many times BEFORE" Not q
word in reply. In the darkness heard
him snatch no his trousers. sprang
/ from my bunk and fastened to the
doorway. Sure enough the dreaded
moment had come. From every direc-
tion of the lines came the rifle reports.
Already the firing had become SO rapid
that the sound of it was similar to that
OF several corn peppers at work over a
hot fire.
The bugles sounded the call to arms.
Boys tumbled out of their hunks,
dressed, slung haversacks and canteens
and were in line ready for duty in a
very few moments. Not more than
twenty minutes after the bugle call,
the majority of the troops in Manila
were in the streets. Some regiments
were on the double quick bound for the
firing line. Some we're stationed along
the principal highways to suppress any
outbreaks that might occur within the
city. Still others were standing in line
waiting for orders. The story of what
has happened since then has been told
many times in print.
In the rank and file of the Philippine
army are many who had served in the
instructions against the Spanish gov.
ernment. Spanish cruelty and oppres-
sion had taught them to resort to
treachery and blood shed. They were
filled with the spirit of mistrust and
were growing impatient FROM inaction.
Fighting had been their chief business.
They seemed anxious for the terrible
blood spilliDg time to come.
Now, by no means is this class of
men fair representative of the Philip
pine people, any more than the Rob.
ber's Roost Band" of Southern Utah is
fair representative of American peo.
pie. Some persons with whom have
talked since my return would have me
believe that the entire population of
the islands are up in arms against the
American government. They do not
seem to have read or heard about The
Philippine gentleman who was sent
from the island of Negros by his ow n
people to Manila for the purpose Vt
securing American form of govern
ment on their island. Negros is one Of
the most important and prosperous OF
tho oronn Fahruary 9th Col. Smith.