News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-01-25
FROM THE PHILIPPINES.

We started from San Francisco on
the 9th of June and reached here
opposite Cavite at about $3.50, p. m.
July 81. We were on the boat eight
days, then crossed the Bay to Camp
Dewey. There were 10000 troops in
that camp. The trenches or Ameri-
can lines were three miles from camp,
running from the sea shore back into
the swamp for about ten miles. in a
semi-circle around Manila. From the
time we got to camp until the 18th
of August we had to take our turn in
the trenches for "a hours. On the
night OF July 81 the hottest fight of
the land forces took place in a regn
lar down-pour of rain. We could see
the fash of the guns from where we
we're on the boat in the Bay. 1t
was a hot old fight, but the Spaniards
we're slaughtered like sheep. There
we're over 5000 Spaniards against
some 1900 Americans. They made
three charges but couldn't stand the
American fire.
On the 18th of August we marched
from Camp Dewey. 5000 strong, in
drenching rain to take Manila. The
first shot was fired from the Flag
ship, (Olympial, at about 9:45. and
in Just three quarters of an hour the
signal to stop was given. Well, while
it lasted, the air seemed to split open
and the earth to shake. A few shells
and bullets passed over us, but they
did not DO any damage. | helped to
pull the first American gun into
Malatp.
Before the surrender We had pref
ty hard time of it, with the crest of the
boys, and lots of times were pretty
hungry We did not enlist for q
pleasure trip-those who did got
fooled. You have no need to worry
about me getting enough to eat.
In the Philippine Islands, under
Spanish rule, all males over 81 years
Of age must pay poll tax that
equals about 81 of English money,
and the women G3. A man must pay
a license to sell cOcoanufs from his
own trees, or indigo Of his own rails,
ing Every article OF furniture that
costs half Il sovereign or prehaps $40,
is taxed. The curtain never goes up
at the theatre unless $40 4SSpanish,
equal to 1914 American money, is
paid to tire government, and for
every act of Strengthening his own
animals, clipping his own sheep, or
telling his own trees, the Philippine
farmer must pay fee TO the govern
il ~ AI mo mt
tribute for getting married, and for
being buried. and at every step and
tnrn oil his life the tax collector holds
out his hand to him, and it is not Il
demand that can I've refused. No
wonder Spain wishes to keep a pos
session that yields such q return no
wonder also that in the last sixty
years have developed seventeen rebel
lions in the Philippines.
The Philippines never wear shoes
and stockings and most of the child
ren have nothing on but littIesbort
shirt. The women are hAlI-dresseG,
the largest part of them naked. II
some Of the American girls and wom-
en- were to see some of the costumes
we see, they would hold up their hands
in holy horror. If the Americans re-
main here, either as protectors or
governors of the Island, irrigation
works should be one of the first things
TO occupy their attention, and ny
making the main canals nayigablp
the concern would he at last self
supporting. There are said to he
magnificent plains throughou the
Island of LUZOn that only require
water to convert them into rich fields
and there is also water in abundance
if properly directed.
The most important products o
these fertile Islands are hemp, sugar
tobacco and rice, and the following
figures. which have been able TO Oh.
tain, will show tina in spite OF Spain
oppressive Colonial policy, the Philip
pines were fairly prosperous, owing
TO foreign enterprise aud foreign cap
ital, mostly English and American
The great American firm of Russell
Sturgpss and Co., started ia here by
the lavish distribution of their CAPT
tai among the natives and the cult
walton of hemp and sugar rapidly in.
creased. Like many other liberia
men, they did not reap the benefit o.
their pluck and enterprise, for the
number of bad debts they made
through the bad faith of the ma
tiVes, caused the downfall of the firm
but the country proftad, and pro
ducts rapidly increased. In 1897 The
exports were 902,37S bales, at ar
average value of $14.00 per bale
100000 pounds of sugar, valued al
$4,000, 900; 30S, 900 quintals of lea
tobacco, and about twice this guam
tity in the form of cigars, valued al
$20,000,000. The horses here are G
small dwarfed race of ponies, anC
those owned by the natives are only
skin and bones. Those owned by the
Spanish are sleek and fat.
You have read about the Battle o
Manila Bay, May Z, 1898, but | viii
give you a brief description of it, al
told by two boys on the Baltimore
We left Mrs Bay at 2 p. m, Wednes
day, Apr. 81. That evening our sus
pense was brought to close by tn,
Captain assembling all bands on The
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