The evening times., 1899-02-01
EXPLORING THE
LUZON INTERIOR
Interesting Trip of Officers Of
Dewey's Squadron.
Expedition by Naval Cadet Sargent
and Paymaster Wilcex.
Refused Passports by AguinaldO,
Hut Assured OF Their Safety-Sus-
piciOus of Their Diaries.

The clearest and most accurate picture
island of Luzon, the largest of the Philip
pine group, which has yet been presented
to the public, is that set forth in report
made to the Navy Department of the tour
of two young naval officers, Paymaster W
b. Wilcox and Cadet R. L. Sargent off,
GERS of Admiral Dewey's fleet This recital
of the hitherto unknown characteristics of
the island beyond the limits of Manila and
few OF the more important Luzon ports,
with its glimpses of its military condi-
tions, the difficulties that lie in the way
OF the explorer, and the habits of the
people, is presented in most comprehen-
siye manner.
These young officers, having been grant
ed the necessary leave of absence and be-
ing possessed of the true spirit of eX-
plorers, with full warning of the perils of
their undertaking, started out on October
.. with five servants, eight horses, and
about 400 pounds of baggage, including a
camp outfit, two rifles and shotgun, with
ammunition, to make thorough explora-
tion of Che interior of the island of Luzon.
Notwithstanding the fact that they had
previously secured the formal sanction of
Admiral Dewey, Aguinaldo refused to issue
them passports, but assured them that they
might proceed unmolested by his forces
Halted on Their Route.
They were met at Bayambaug by squad
of Philippine soldiers but through the in
fiuence of an English resident Wilcox and
Sargent were enabled to proceed toward
Rosales. On this portion of the journey
they encountered bad roads, deep in mud
and inundated in places with water, so
that they were forced to proceed on foot
the greater part of the distance. They
passed the small town of Alcola about IL
o'clOck where they were met by squad
of twelve soldiers. under command of a
sergeant, armed with Remington rifles, as
well as by civil authorities, who after dis
playing a great deal of curiosity of a
harmless and friendly nature, allowed
them to proceed onward
The travellers were treated courteously
at Rosales, where twenty soldiers were
stationed, though surprise was expressed
at their lack OF passports.
From Rosales TO Humingau and thence
TO San Jose their experiences We're, with
little exception analogous to those already
described 1t rained almost perpeually
rendering the roads impossible; the horses
grew weak rapidly, because of inadequate
food, and occasionally prostrated as many
as three at time; one servant became i'll
and had 10 be left at a village the remain
der of the party frequently suffered attacks
OF diarrhoea and consequent weakness of
the stomach incident to the climate OF the
country travelled, and, in general, although
the explorers obtained the romance which
they were seeking in such an interesting
country, the trip was full of hardships.
In the country thus far traversed there
is but little timber, except the forest along
the Ogra River: but little cattle except
buffalo, which abound and are of extreme
utility. The most primitive methods for
thTeshing rice, which constitutes the sole
labor OF the natives, are in vogue.
Talked With Spanish Prisoners.
In the village OF Humingau and Lupao
there are a few Spanish prisoners-priests,
soldiers. and civil otficers-who are appar-
emily we'll treated. They are for the most
part an intelligent class of men exceed
ingly eager to learn news from the outside
world, upon which they were. however
surprisingly ignorant. Wilcox and Sargent
took them their first definite information
regarding Cuba and the status of the Phil
ippines. One or two had heard of the Con-
gress of Paris but none had the vaguest
idea as TO its purpose. They were. how
ever, well grounded on three points, the
destruction of the Spanish squadron. at
declaration by the Philippine government
at Malolos of the independence of the Isl
ands and the establishment of republican
form of government with Aguinaldo as
president, but even in this regard the de-
tails were very inadequate They had been
warned by officials at the last town that
San Jose must inevitably be the end of
their journey because of the heavy rains
which rendered the trail impossible TO
white men. They pushed on, notwithstand-
ing, and were joined and accompanied by
ten men acting as packers and left San
Jose the next morning for Canangian.
They were at this juncture met by twelve
soldiers who volunteered to protect them
against the Igarroles who infested the
country. They proceeded toward Arito
which is town of Il 600 inhabitants and
only rendered accessible by means of a
banca used to ford the swift stream which
separates these two towns, as well as
forming the boundary between the prov
inces of Nueva, Leila, and Nueva Viscaya.
They pushed onward to Bambang, Bogo-
gag, and later TO Gordon. They left the
latter town about October "a for Carig
and expected to arrive at Echague that
night. They arrived there next morning,
however, and remained six days.
Military Officials DiscOurteous.
They were not accorded very courteous
treatment here by the military officials
who were particularly suspicious of the
diaries and camera which they carried.
From here they went to Llagan by boat
and were almost lost in the eddies They
were anxious to go to Tuguegarao and
across to the western coast by land but
were advised of the impracticability OF
this attempt, so they decided to take
steamer and disembark at a northern point
on the western coast and proceed thence
by land southwark. News had just bcen
brought from Hongkong to Apairi st2 ing
that Philippine independence had
been assured and warfare was at an end
They sailed on the steamer Oslo for vi
gan where they presented a letter, which
had been given them, to the commanding
general of that place, but because of an
order which had been previously issued
the general commanding refused to allow
Wilcox and Sargent to disembark. Owing
to their shrewdness, however, they got
ashore before he knew it. The explorers
then proceeded by land, with but little
adventure Though a fertile country in
which tobacco was the principal export 10
Manila, passing through the towns of Ia,
gudin, Rangar, San Fernandino, Dagupan.
arriving at their destination November 20.
six days before the expiration of their
leave of absence.
Retreat of BOlivia's President.
Lima, Peru, Feb. 1.-Trustworthy adj
vices received here from Bolivia say the
President of that Republic, Severe Alonzo.