The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-30


about the rainy season that my repu-
tahon for truth and veraclty will suffer,
as did that OF the volunteer.
A fellow could draw pretty heavily
on his Imagination, however, without
straIning the situation a particle, and
/ feel that my story has been a very
conservative one. We are as greatly
surprised at the state of affairs as you
doubtless will be II you believe all you
hear OF this rainy season. The trouble
OF course lies in the peculiar position
Of most OF the cultivated districts OF
the island. Only to the far north and
west is the country even billy, and
every stream which drains the great
fertile plain is affected by tides almost
to Its source. Let one OF the large
rivers get bank full OF what Ohio
river boatmen would call "a spring
freshet." and every newly awakened
little stream will simply spread Itself
over the surrounding country in lieu
Of some other basin into which 1t can
flow. Add to these conditions a thick,
rich soil into which the heaviest rains
will rarely, II ever penetrate more
than a few inches, turn on an abnor-
mally large faucet for u few consecu-
tive weeks at time and everything Is
favorable for a deluge OF the entire
landscape as far as you can see It In
any direction.
Manila, from Its position much nearer
the ocean thDn San Fernando, is doubt
less more fortunately equipped for the
annual visitation than is San Fernando
but the only elevation In this whole re-
gion was appropriated by the cathedral
which Aguinaldo's hasty evacuation OF
the city left in stately ruins. Hence the
native here wisely built him rude
gondola, which he stores under his
house for nine months In the year and
uses, In true Venetian fashion. for the
remainder. While the flood Is rising
he visits his nelghbors in the canoe or
looks after n small herd OF perfectly
cOntented water buffalo. and when II
GIBBS he paddles TO his rice paddles and
sows the next years crop.
Only time will determine which army
will suffer the most from this rainy fac
kuE III AAAG bAAAdkluAs WI AAuk va W.
post duty our men are provided with
dry and even comfortable quarters In
the numerous deserted streets OF the
city. With the insurrectO army, accom-
modations must necessarily be poorer.
One OF the secrets OF Aguinnldo's sue
cess in keeping the instruction alive
thus far has been his almost inconceiv-
able power OF drawing nearly all the
inhabitants of towns, cities and even
whole provinces away with him when
he moves, thus keeping them outside
the sphere OF American influence and
from the knowledge Of American meth
DDS and plans. II Is said that over half
a million Inhabitants OF the fertile re-
gion between this point and Manila are
still missing from their homes Per-
haps the number has been exaggerated,
but certainly there Is very considera-
BILE body Of his followers. OF both sexes
and all ages, which is utterly useless
from a military standpoint, but when
must be qunrtered even more securely
than his soldiers. There are no towns
or cities within five miles to the north
OF San Fernando. and since these are
doubtless thickly populated with home
less sympathizers. the chances are that
his army Is much more destitute OF
shelter than Is ours. The proper use OF
proper clothing will have an effect from
a medicinal standpoint. The natives
wear nothing but the fiimslest cotton
material. and once this is thoroughly
soaked the weareF shakes like an aspen
with the cold. To speak Of cold in
the Philippines is like talking OF sum
mer" in the Klondike, but both have
meaning that is suggestive.
Remarkable Endurance.
While even so much dampness fails
to lower the temperature very mater
tally, there is a chill to the 2ir which
makes u flannel shirt comfortable at all
times. and wOolens not uncomfortable
during the dampest periods.
When the sun finany succeeds IN
breaking through the clouds and mist,
however, II seems to Ialrly scald every
thing under Its glare The prevalence
Of malarial fevers. OF course, is source
OF anxiety Of army physicians During
the present season. Add rheumatic
complaints OF all sorts, as well as nu-
merous cases Of very troublesome va
riety OF adobe Itch, and you have
very considerable portion OF each COM
pany answering sick call each morning.
Until quite recently the general health
OF the entire command had been eN-
cellent, and doubtless the rather sudden
and complete change in weather Is the
cause Ol al ever lllNlNhhAAh SANAN AA9sH
seems almost marvellous when you real
lie what the boys over here have been
able to endure.
Coming to a country where climate,
customs and conditions OF living are
as different from their home life rs any
thing we'll could be. they have tramped
for weeks at n time, sustained by
kind Providence and those convention
nj army ratiOns OF bacon, oatmeal
beans and other articles Of diet which
are far better suited to one Of DIR. Nam
sens Arctic expeditions than to trop--
zeal campaign. The wonder Is not that
so many. but so few. cases OF malaria
and rheumatism are manifest by the
physicians returns.
The continued dampness Is so perme-
ating that every article containing
leather In Its makeup must be brushed
each day to keep II even passably free
from mould. Men for weeks at time
during the wet period do duty In damp
clothing and sleep between damp blank
cts at night. But so long as fellow
retains his health there is no complaint
10 be made and he does everything nee
essnry for him 10 do willingly and
cheerfully. II Is pretty serious mat
ter for n man TO become sick anywhere
in the foreign service. The army to-
day is composed mainly OF youngsters
who make splendid soldiers when they
are well and very poor ones when sick
ness gains the upper hand. Pure I'M
adulterated inconsistencies killed more
OF our army than all other agencies
combined. Once RELOCATED 10 the hos
pItnl one has every opportunity OF be-
coming respondent over matters which
but rarely occur 20 the active man. In
these tropical countries there Is same
ness about the days and tameness 10 /
the life which increases the tendency TO
turn 20 other days and another lie.
Hence you naturally expect TO ind n
iUW