Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-04

OF these three classes in these towns.
We could detect no signs Of ill-treat-
ment nor of undue restriction. On the
contrary, they appeared to possess the
freedom OF the towns In which they
lived.
",rhe Presidente local and other local
officials are native Philippines. Most
Of them have received certain
amount Of education at religious
schools In Manila. They are intclii-
gent men and are extremely eager IL
learn news from the outside world
Their knowledge Of modern history
and geography is extremely limited
and their ignorance Of current events
is surprising. We brought them Their
first definite information with regard
to Cuba and to their own present
status. One or two Of them had heard
of the congress at Paris, but no one
had any idea as to it's object, nor as Il
| its relation to themselves.
They were well grounded on only
three points-the destruction OF the
| Spanish squadron in Manila harDor
| the surrender Of Manila. and the
declaration by the Philippine govern
ment at Malolos. Of the independence
of the islands and the establishment
of a republican form Of government
with Sn. Aguinaldo as president. Even
on these points the details they had
| received were very inaccurate.
I'VE had been warned by the officials
] of the last town that San Jose mus
| inevitably prove the end OF our jour.
ney. There is no road for 30 miles be-
youd this point. and in this season the
natives consider the trail impossible
| to white men. Very few of the natives
at San Jose were willing to try it.
However. 10 men willing to accompany
us as packbearers, and with these We
started the next morning. The trail
proved to be little better than repre-
scented. Twenty-four hours more of
rain would have made at least three
mountain streams impossible. The
trail. moreover. Is extremely intricate.
1t leads for half a mile along a shOal
in small river. and follows the beds
of mountain streams for many times
that distance. Rushing water fire.
quently knee-deep on the horses. COW
cred these stretches Of the trail at the
time we passed. On land, grass and
underbrush grew thickly over the trail
and concealed 1t for considerable dis
tances.
Our guide had spent his life in this
district. and had Travelled the trail
very often. He deviated from 1t twice
that day, however. and had much diff
Guilty in regaining it. During the in
surrection company Of Spanish SOL
diers had been sent over this trail.
L.
where numbers of them had been am
pushed and slain. According to the
statements Of our guide very few of
this Spanish force lived to reach the
town OF Carranglan.
1T is undoubtedly a trail that a few
men could hold against heavy odds; it
is the first of this nature we have seen.
1t Is very hilly, and the ascents are
steep, crooked and surrounded by
heavy trees and underbrush. Numer-
Gus rapid streams were crossed during
the day. The packbearers at first re-
fused to cross two streams that were
deeper and more rapid than the others.
They required both encouragement and
example before they could be induced
to make the attempt. 1t rained fiercely
all day.
o
1.-THE river Barat was swollen to such
an extent that our horses were carried
off their feet before the bed Of the
stream was reached. Not being able
to get our freight across the stream
with the means at hand we attracted
the attention of Il native on the other
bank by discharginS our firearms, and
sent him to the town of Carranglan to
procure buffalo for our assistance.
The buffalo did not arrive that evening,
however, and we spent the night in
camp on the bank of the river. Next
morning we found that the river had
gone down considerably. Buffalo ar
rived from the town, and with their
help we crossed in safety with all our
freight
THE American officers We're received
coolly by the Philippine military Off
GERS at this town. owing to their lack
of passports. but were permitted to
proceed after drying their mouldy bag
gage, in the face of the predictions
that they had worse rivers to cross,
and other obstacles as well. 1t was
plainly impossible for them to accom-
plish their journey in the months
leave they had taken, so they mailed
back letters asking extension until
November &c.
Leaving Carranglan the Presidente
Local insisted upon their taking a
guard of twelve soldiers. with a
sergeant to protect us against the
Igorrotes. or savages. that are said to
infest the hills between this town and
Aritao.
1--WE arrived at Aritao shortly before
shutdown. A broad branch of the Rio
Magat separated us from this town.
There was a "banca" or native dugout
canoe, however. in which men and bag
gage were taken to the other side. while
the horses were Swum across at point
higher up the stream. These facilities
for crossing streams were always avail
able, when necessary, during the remain
der of our journey.
In the mountains and highlands
through which we passed in the last TWO
or three days, there are extensive for
eSts. The forests are not homogeneous
but contain many different classes of
trees, the timber of which is in many
cases vaiueless. OF the timber which we
have seen. the most valued on the island
is the "mulawe;" SO called in both Span.
iSh and Tegla. This is tall straight
tree with very few branches: the bark is
very light In color, but the wood is very
dark and close grained, and resists wa
ter and weather. 1t iS much used for
boats and for the floors and exposed up-
rights Of houses.
t.,