The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-17
s. B. LOwther, of Kansas, City,
Kan, Tells of Funston.
Twentieth Kansas Wants Him
to Return With Them.
SOLDIERS ARE WEARY.
Tired of the Hardships and I'm
bearable Heat.
Says California Soldiers Are
the Poorest Fighters.

Kansas City. Kan, July 17.-"That IS
the most melodious music have heard
since the 9th day of June, 1898. SOusa's
rendition OF his celebrated march, The
Stars and Stripes Forever is not in it,
The music referred to was the big
Armour whistle, sounding the curfew
hour in Kansas City. Kan, last night,
and the speaker was Scott B. Lowther,
a member of the United States relief
corps, who arrived over the Santa F'e
last evening from the Philippines. He
is through with army life for the pres
ent, and his services will be in greater
demand the next time he enlists.
LOwther accompanied the so sick sol
diers from Manila to San Francisco on
the steamer City of Pueblo. They left
Manila May T. landing in Frisco June 2.
The sick were sent to their respective
homes as soon as released from quar-
antine, some of them being mustered
out and some given sick furloughs. He
was mustered out Of the service on
July 6, and five days later he started
for home. He arrived in good health,
and was apparently OVerjOyed at being
once more in the land of peace.
Yes, l am very glad to get home.
said he last night, "and there is not an
American soldier on the island today
who would not like to be in my place.
All of the boys want to come nome
They have seen a great deal of hard
fighting, and have encountered many
hardships, but they all inherit the grit
and staying qualities of their fore
fathers and are doing no grum bling II
the worst comes to the worst believe
that every soldier in the Philippines
would resign to remain and fight it out.
However, such a thing is not consider
ed necessary, and those who have stood
the brunt of the fighting so far would
welcome a rest and visit with dear
ones at home. I believe that all of the
n f1af
home coming will be a glorious event
The members of the gallant TWen-
tieth, for this regiment is the pride of
the island, would like to be accOmpa-
MED home by their leader, Frederick
Funston. When I left it was not known
whether or not he would get to come. I
dare say that, should Funston call for
volunteers to remain and continue the
fight against the Filipinos, he would
have no difficulty in securing a regi-
ment. He has the hostile natives of
the Philippines 'buffaloed,' and he
keeps them in constant fear of him, for
they never before encountered anything
just like him
Mr.. Lowther says that the California
PRESS may well devote much Of its space
in singing the praises of the Kansas
troops However, he says that it
might incidentally call attention to the
work of the California troops when de-
sirous of using a little criticism.
1.-The California troops are the poorest
lot of soldiers on the island said Mr.
Iowther L do not want to criticise the
California boys for / believe that they
have done their best, but the fact is
that they are not made out of the right
kind of stuff to fight FiipinOs- 1 I'M
derstand that the First California was
given some credit for taking CalOOcan
The truth Of the matter is that the
California troops were fully fifty miles
from the place when it was taken by
E'unstOn's men, assisted by Dewey and
some Of the Utah and Montana boys
During the fight on July 81 the First
California fired into the Tenth Pennsyl-
Vania, killing two men. On February
5 it fired into the Fourteenth infantry
United States army and killed a man.
No one knew what was the matter with
them and I don't think they did them
selves The California boys may be pat
riots and a little better looking than the
Jayhawkers, but they are not the fight
ers.
In speaking about the general health
of the troops LOwther says that those
who have become acclimated are doing
very nicely The rain and heat make it
extremely uncomfortable to those who
enjoy the best Of health. He says that
the newcomers get along all right as
long Is it rains, but the minute the sun
gets out from behind the clouds they
become very sick. The heat knocks
them out. The heat prostratiOns there
are not fatal like in this country They
are not serious. AS long o person
perspires freely he can stand the heat,
but when the pores dry up it is then
the mans sight will leave him and he
then falls0in a heap. The prostration
| leaves him helpless, but he is soon re-
vived.
The FiIipinOs will not surrender until
they are chased off the island. so
! Lowther says. He is of the opinion that
it would take five years to whip the ISL
anders into submission. There are many
friendly natives on the island and Mr..
LOwder says that there are thousands
! now in the hostile ranks who would like
to be on good terms with Uncle Sam.
| Those who want to be friendly, or a
/ great many Of them at least, are afraid
| to on account of the hatred manifested
! for the friendlys on the part Of the re-
belliOus natives.
| There are a great many friendly ma
! tives in Manila. They are known as
( Amigos. The Manila police force and
/ fire department are composed of Fill
} pinos and many of the merchants are
/ natives. The Filipino police do much
/ work bout the hospital tents, keeping
/ the grounds clean. They also do odd
/ jobs about the tents. The fire depart
| ment that is the Filipino department
consists of hose companies. There is an
/ English volunteer department in the
| city which has one steamer. 1t does all
| Of the work at a large cOnhagration.
While rice, hemp and tobacco are