The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-04-26
HOME AGAIN.
Jay saltzman Returns From the Philip
pines-A Graphic Account of the
Life of a Soldier On the
Islands.

Jay Saltzman, who is we'll known in
The Dalles, having gone to school here
for a number of years; has just returned
/ from the Philippines and was in the
city last evening on his way lone,
which is at Burnt Ranch, Wheeler county.
He enlisted in company 1, Fourteenth
regiment. last year, while it was sta
toned at Vancouver.
Last fall he strained hims self, and for
several months was in the hospital at
Manila. He was out in time to engage
in some of the early fights with the
Filipinos. but was again taken sick and
eventually discharged on account of dis
ability. He left Manila March 10sa on
the Arizona, in company with about
$50 other discharged men, and reached
San Francisco April 9th.
"Going over on the transport" said
Mr.. Saltzman, 1--WE encountered enough
to take the patriotism out of any mar.
Several days before reaching Honolulu
our meat all spoiled. We continued to
eat it until we reached Honolulu. We
were fed on it for twelve DAYS there,
and then lived for eighteen days more
before reaching Manila, with no other
kind of meat.
81 saw strong men SO weak with
hunger they could scarcely get out of
bed. If the spoiled meat was eaten it
gave one cramps so badly that starva-
ton was preferable.
"After we reached Manila the food
was better. Until the Filipino war
broke out we had frozen beef from
Australia, and it was good. After the
trouble began we were given canned
beef, and half of it was spoiled.
was only in one hight with the
rebels. That was at Cingalon, February
5th. The battle began about four miles
out from Manila, and from o'clock in
the morning until in the afternoon it
was hot affair.
"We advanced steadily, but slowly,
firing all the time. The rebels would
turn their guns upside down and hold
them high over their heads and fire.
In this way nothing but their hands
and the guns were visible above the
trenches. Of course they couldn't kit
US shooting in that fashion, but they
twenty feet of them. Then they broke
and ran into the canebrake.
"We followed them, and found them
in trenches oa the other side. Driving
them from there they fed to block
house not far away. 1t was while in
this second trench that the hottest
fighting occurred.
1.-THE rebels who were fighting US that
day were Aguinaldo's crack men. They
wore white helmets and had good guns,
and if any one tells you they will not
fight, don't you believe 1t. If they ever
learn to shoot like our boys can, they
will be hard lot to handle.
''I think it will take a long time to
conquer these islands. They will never
be worth the lives and money it will
take. There are so many natives that
killing a few thousand doesn't count
There are millions to take their places
SIN each battle there are number oi
men in the rear armed only with knives
When man in front is shot, his place
and gun is taken by one of these.
"Carbines and sixshooters are the
weapons Uncle Sam can use to best ad
: vantage there. Bayonets and sabers are
worthless, and are really in the way.
"1he boys there think Dewey's mis-
take was in not sailing out when he haC
destroyed the Spanish feet. But Dewey
is the idol there. All of the boys would
like to see him nut in charge The,
! think Otis is good Office man, but b.
: is too slow for active field work"
Mr.. Saltzman says if there are an.
boys there who do not want to COM
home he couldn't find them.
''For few days after the fighting be
gan," he said, "while excitement raj
nigh, they forgot all about home, bu
that soon passed away, and they ar
longing for home again.