The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-10

Angeles, p. /, Aug. III hope the read
ers OF The Washington Post are a Ittla
more lanleat with t,ie boys in brown in
their campaign In the Philippine Islands
than are some OF the papers From their
writings and editorial comments they
sem 10 think there Is no reason why hos
tiliies should cease during the rainy
season IL they were over here they
might be better able TO Judge the condi-
ton OF anairs than they are IN fine Offices
IN New York and other large cities.
II has been little over a year since
Manila was surrendered 10 the American
troops, and from that time on it mas be N
hard and eXhaUsting work for the troops,
with everything at the present tine point
ing to fighting and a stubborn resistance
for every mile OF territory We are Eow
advancing over. What has been accom-
plished in the past year seems so little in
comparison with what is before US that
the sentiment is that ten years from now
We Will be fighting in the Philippines. II
Is true that We have advanced into terri
tory that the SpanlaTds never were with
In miles OF. for all OF their cam
paigning was never more tnan five miles
IRON Manila at the most. Still, We are a
long way from conquering the FiliplnOs.
Towns and villages that were captured
months ago by the Americans on the lire
Of the railroads are giving the troops left
10 garrison them great deal Of trouble,
as TIE main body advances farther north.
Ey this hardssing large body Of troops
has 10 be scattered along the railroad
to protect IL, thus preventing their as
sistanCc in the advance. The situation
along this road can be summed up II a
few words: We have control and the
right Of way over nearly fifty miles Of
the road which We can hold by force Of
arms. but mile Oh either side it ls as
good as a mans life Is worth 10 venture
and hardly a night passes that there is
not some trouble about Caloocan and
Malolos towns captured months ago.
This alone seems TO point TO the fact that
the Filipinos are not thirsIing to drink
OF the waters of protection held cut by
Uncle Sam. bat prefer their mode OF gov
oTning themselves.
Estimate of the Enemy.
IL can be nothing else than patriotism
with these people or they would never
have held out as long as they have. They
are not sayages nor ignorant and Hitter
ate. Their mode Of living is different,
their manner Of dress and culture are
different In some respects from ours, but
in business respects they are able to hold
their own with a Baxter street merchant.
They all seem to be fond OF the adVan-
tages of education and very deVout in
their religious belief, judging by the class
or books left behind in their houses as
all the works are religious or historical
Their writing shows great care in their
penmanship, and some of their ledgers
and account books compare favorably
with those Of any bank in the States.
With this advantage of education and
the cunning instilled into them from their
ancestors and intermarriage with the
Chinese. they make a foe different from
any that the American forces have had TO
contend with yet. 1t can never be charged
that the American army was ever any
thing but humane in its warfare, but ii is
at times bitter dose with these people |
Our forces will advance on q town and |
after slight resistance the native va
mooses and the American forces take |
possession. The next cay In they will |
come through our lines, dressed in their |
white clothes and carrying a white nag. |
They are "Amegos" or Macabebes then. |
but we have learned at last. at the cost |
OF the lives of several good American sol |
der boys. to trust none of them, for there |
is no confidence or respect of word to be /
placed in any of them The ''alcalde" or |
mayor, of town will meet you with all |
the protestations of friendship and good
Will for the American and tell you that /
the Filipino and Aguinaldo are MARROW"
(no good and at the same time, as was
shown few days ago in capturing one |
Of the most friendly TO the American
cause. have a commission as colonel or
some high Office In the insurgents army.
1t is hard thing to have TO do, but the
only plan before the American army is TO
drive them before you. women and chill
dren. and If they want TO come back in
the town take the men prisoners and send
the women outside of the lines. This has
more effect than the use of force, as the
Filipino household seems to be a happy
and peaceable home, and TO separate the
husband and father from wife and chill
dren causes tears and lamentations, more
than the bullet will ever do; but God for
bid that the American army will ever be
compelled 10 resort TO such actions 10
gain their victory.
Not All in Manila.
There is one peculiar thing noticeable
as the advance is made farther north,
and this is that though Manila is spoken
Of as the chief city of Luzon, and the
seat OF learning, wealth. and culture.
the farther north you go from Manila the
appearance OF the country and habIta-
iions OF the people show a marked i'm
proVement The land seems to be better
cultivated and the homes are far better
built, making neater appearance than
those near Manila. In this town of An
geles, captured by ten companies of the
Twelfth Infantry on August 10, after the
strongest resistance encountered yet. ey-
cry indication points 10 an intelligent, !
well-gOverned city. The houses are iarga !
and cOmmodious, a number OF them built |
OF stone, brick, and frame. while those |
built OF bamboo are OF a different design
than in other places. There is a maeni-
fcent church built OF stone and finished
in mahogany. and the furnishings of the
altar VIII compare favorably with The j
finest church in the States. There are
no pews In any OF the churches | have ,
seen in the interior. / should say be- +,
tween 300 and 4COO could worship in ,
this church without crowding.
Difficulties Of Advancing,
Now TO say few words in reference
10 the hardships encountered by our bows
in advancing during the rainy season.
our outposts around San Fernando re-
qu!red the constant detail Of a large /,
number OF men. and as the Insurgents +,
were becoming little more active II /,
was decided TO make a general advance .
along our entire front and drive them
back farther from san Fernando. on the
night or August s came the word dat w /"
were 10 take one days cooked ratlons !,
and $50 pounds OF ammunition ana be-
ready 10 march al o'clock in the morn !.
Ing. Col. Bell and tie Thirty-slxth. his
new regiment. were 10 move at midnight :
10 the town OF Bacaloor. on the extreme :
left OF our lines, and be n position al !,
the first peep OF day. We were 10 be In ,
position along our line OF outposts az dsy- :
break. and advance IN line Of skirnlsh :.
when We heard the guns for the open- .,
M OF the bail. Just as the gray mist :,
rolled away and the first pink streak :