Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-19
THE FILIPINos AND THE ARMY.
Mr.. John Howe PeytOn Delivers
Most Interesting Address.

A deeply interesting and instructive au-
dress was made at Grace Episcopal
church Friday night by Mr. John Howe
Peyton. who has recently returned from
the Philippine Islands and is fully quail
fed to speak of the religious conditions
prevailing there.
MIR. Peyton IS a Virginian by birth, but
has lived for a number OF years IN
Charleston, W. Va. and IS tho member
OF the National Council 81 the Brother
hood Of 81. Andrew from that state lie
was commissioned by the House OF
Bishops OF the Episcopal Church TO go no
the Philippine Islands 10 investigate the
condition OF affairs, both In the Amen
can army and among the natives, retain
Ing al the same time his posiuon a2
army secretary OF the BrOtnernQod OF
St Andrew He arrived I'm Manila May
90 last, and spent three months IN
travelling through the country tr1VeIsinS
FIVE of the larger islands and studying
the religious life Of the natives as VOL
as the soldiers Many Of our IDEAS as
TO the Philippine Islands, he said, are
wrong. We suppose the people are lars .
ly heather, and the country "a "lld' ul-
cultivated Jungle Almost exactly tHs
contrary is true, the country ptlhB Won-
derfully fertile, much OF 81 under cllu-
walton. and the balance covered with 3
splendid growth OF timber. lhe trees
are Of the most rare and valuable klnd
including mahogany and many oiner haid
woods. some Of them towering up % ana
20 feet high. The cultivation and uhe
civilization Is that Of 200 years ago. Dut
even with the primitive methods in vogue.
coffee. sugar and other products or inc
soil grow IN profusion. The country ~
also. in all probability, rich m gold
though Il has been little developed ID TINS
direction. .......
THE INHABITANTS.
As 10 the inhabitants. they are nearly
AL Nalays. Mr.. PeytOn said, ana ara
divided into three great families, TWO OF
which are Roman Catholic ana one MO.
hsmmedan. There are a few trlDes OF
aborigines I'm the mountains, but they are
rapidly disappearing There Is the great
est diversity Of language among the m
habitants between thirty and Sixty az
feront tongues being spoken IN me IS
lands. Both mentally and physically,
the Filpinos are far inferior TO the Anglo,
saxon race. They seem TO have Bool
memories. and are bright and quick. Duu
lack personal and other traits whlch go
10 make up what We call force OF chat-
aCter
The people. though blinded by supersti-
ton. are the most religious In the world
and can be often seen kneeling or stand
ing for two hours at time IN the peWie2S
churches. out OF probably half mlI,loh
OF the native people with whom Mr.. Pey-
ton came in contact. he did not see
single case of intoxicatiOn. They are
remarkably clearly. are hospitaDle' cl'l'!
and. as far as can be learned, seem 10
have a high sense Of morality. The TWO
great evils are lying and gambling.
CHINESE DO THE WORK.
In all there are about 10000 Chinese IN
the islands, by whom most OF the work
is done, the Spaniards under the old
regime, having been accustomed 10 90
practically nothing, being contented II
they earned enough from the labor OF the
Chinese 10 live on and pay their dues "a
tho church There few l.n@Il<nmen
I'm the islands, but already these control
the finances, and the two banks I'm Manila
are practically owned by Englishmen.
Suddenly the great American army or
between 1000 and 5000 men was sent
among these simple, deeply deyout people
Of the Philippine Islands. IL Is natural
10 suppose that they would study and pe
influenced by these men OF superior minds
and stronger bodies. What have the ma
tfyes found IN the men of the American
army2 After paying high tribute 10
their patriotism and valor in battle, Mr..
Peyton drew a most deporable picture or
the morality existing In the army ana
the almost Irresistible temptations LY
which the men are surrounded. Thou
sands Of them, separated from the iniiu-
ences Of homo and friends. sink 10 the
lowest depths Of degradation II Is I'M
der such conditions as these that the
FilipinOs view the American army which
10 them stands for Professionalism. The
CRYING need Of the hour, therefore. Is for
Christian workers I'm the American army.
rather than among the natives Of the
Philippines, for 10 minister 10 this vast
OF men there are now only i've
army chaplains, two being Catholics, one
Episcopal one Methodist and one VINO
is detailed 20 secular work After eni-
phaszng the great possibilities for the
race among the nations or
tho East Mr. Peyton closed his address,
which was fun Of interest throughout.
with a strong appeal IN behalf OF the
Christian work I'm the army in the Philip