Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-10-13
ARMY LIFE IN
THE PHILIPPINE
The Hardships and Trials
of a Soldiers Life.
Cock Fighting nd Gambling
the Sport Of the Natives.
Filip.nos say Aguin-
aldo is Crazy.
San Fernando, P. l.

July 81, 1899.
Editor NEws:-The following is the
general impression as far Us can be
learned from those that speak little
English. Some few natives can speak
fairly good English, and those that do,
speak freely, and give their own views
and the feelings of the natives in gem
erhl:
A native of Gupan. in the interior of
the iusurgent country and about three
; days travel by foot from Carbanatuan,
where Aguinaldo holds forth arrived in
the city lately aud says he had no troub-
le in coming in, He said he thought
the war one of self interest. Insurgents
are not doing any thing in that region
and that they are disarming large
arms away. From his statement it
would appear that the impression
among the natives in that territory it
that the insurgents and Americans have
sort of understanding and that any
differences that exists could be settled
by Aguiualdos representatives. The
impression has taken hold of the people
that are not taking an active part in the
insurrection, that the war is only con-
tinued for the benefit of tn" officials
and leaders of the contending forces.
They are rapidly finding out that their
leaders are having the best of it, and
they impute the same motives to the
American leaders. They all believe that
the war should cease, Their soldiers
are like other soldiers trained 10 obey
their superior officers, and they have
nothing to say. They wink at the mo-
tives of the leaders. and as the army is
the power that exists they are satisfied
that they are getting at least their share
of the best of it. Plunder is getting
scarce in that section, as all the rich
people have been reduced to poverty.
Orders of the Insurgents having been
to coniscate everything to pay the cost
of the war. They have plenty Of rice,
salt canned goods and almost every
thing they need in large quantities.
Large supplies of goods are taken daily
from Manila. He stated that he did not
know that the lines were closed, nor do
the natives in that vicinity.
Before the Americans went up to San
-Isidoro they were suffering fer want of
food but now they can have everything
they require, and it has left the impress
ion that the war is about over, or it is
the fault of those who are aggrandizing
themselves that keeps the war up. They
have an idea that Americans have lots
of money, are easily cajolcd out of it,
and want to get their share out of it.
That is the only seeming reason why
they want American rule and would
welcome the Americans. They feel
that ''Aggie" has been having a good
time long enough, and it is about time
they should have chance at it. When
asked what tue natives would do to the
English and Americans who left their
mining and other interest in that sec
ton when the war broka out. should
they go back to continue their work, he
said that .hey would ring the church
bells two days of very joy. They seem
to realize that the leaders have the pow
er in their hands and thev will have to
wait until the leaders have had good
time of it and are satisfied to quit, when
1t will be their turn to reep some of the
benefit. There is no patriotism lying
around loose among the Tagalos in that
section and it is the impression there,
aud also among the natives in San Fer
nando and Manila that they would be
perfectly willing to submit to American
rule, for they believe that there would
be something in it for them.
The boys from comfortable nnd ha ,py
homes in the States are being initiated
into the homes of the rainy season. The
entire city is almost one flood of warter
and the rain continues without any
prospect of letting up Most of the ex-
treale outposts have been withdrawn
but the reserved forces are still kept
in their accustomed places. The SOL
diers on duty last night had great ex-
perience. One company was surround
ed by water and could not get in the
city until late next day. 1t is reported
that many of the outposts spent most
of the night in water up to ther waists.
A good many of the bamboo shacks
along the line are surrounded by water
Several of the companies were compell-
ed to build platforms in order to cook
their meals The San Fernando river
is bank full an over flowing at several
places. AT places the streets are almost
impossible and hard for the faithful
2 ord erlfes to navigate Those who are