The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-02-04
A PICTURE OF LUZON.
Riches of the Greatest of the Phil
ippines Depicted.
Returning Naval Officers Give Their
Impressions-its Wealth OF Nat
urnl Resources Its Noun
tainS, Forests and Fields.

dtions as they exist to-day in the in
terror of the great island of Luzon, the
largest of the Philippine group, with
an area equaling that of the state of
Virginia. that has yet been presented
20 the official eye, is that set out in u
report made 10 the navy department
OF the tour Of two young American ma
val officers, Paymaster w. Il. Wilcox
and Cadet II. l.. Sargent officers OF
Dewey's fleet. They tell Of the hither-
70 unknown characteristics OF theisland
beyond the limits Of Manila.
Harmless Curiosity OF People.
"For the first five or six miles from
Bayambang we found the roads in good
condition and travelled with ease
Nearer TO Rosalcs the roads were deep
In mud and covered with water in
places. About IL o'clock i'm the morn
ing we passed through the small town
of Alcola. There were IL soldiers sta
toned in this town in charge of a SER
geant; they were armed with Reming-
ton rifles. We were met by the civil
authorities and were surrounded by
the people. Much curiosity was ex-
pressed in regard TO our outfit, but it
was OF harmless and friendly nature.
SIN the province Of Nueya lcaja al
most the only form OF agriculture en-
couraged at present by the natives Is
rice growing A little sugar is also
raised. The land is very rich; we on
countered no barren or unfertile spots.
The fields at this season Of the year
n -. Ia. f,,t Hhara
was no timber Of value along the direct
line OF our routes, but in the hills
along the River Agno forests could be
seen. There are very few forests and
practically no cattle. There are n
great number of buffalo and these are
Of extreme utility. The principal la
Dor OF the natives at this season of the
year is the threshing of rice.
'ln the mountains and highlands
through which we passed were extern
sive forests, which are not homo
geneous, but contain many different
classes of trees, the timber Of which
is In many cases valueless OF the tim
Der which we have seen the most val
ued on the island IS the 'mulawe,' so
called both IN Spanish and Tegala.
This is a 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 water and
weather. IL is much used for boats
and for the floors and exposed uprights
OF houses. There Is also much bam-
boo, some of which has been cut. The
heavier trees are as yet unmolested
Towns of European Appearance.
"We arrived al Ilagan November l.
This town is the capital city OF the
province OF Isabella. II has a popula-
ton OF between 10000 and 1900 in
habitants, and has many large wooden
houses rooted with corrugated iron,
giving il rather a European appear
ance. IL is well situated for defense
being at the junction Of the Rio
Pinacanauan with the Rio Grande. In
this town we were entertained al the
house of wealthy citizen. The first
night after our arrival ball was given
i'm our honor, at which there were more
than 80 young ladie. and an equal
number of well-dressed men. The ball
was well conducted; the dances were
Spanish. The next evening we were i'm
vited to the theater to see two one-act
Spanish comdies. presented by the So
ciety young people Of the town.
ToDncco Provinces.
"In these two days we passed out Of
the province of Isabella and entirely
through the province of Cagayan
These are the leading tobacco provinces
in the island. An idea of their wealth
can be obtained from the fact that,
before the Philippine insurrcction,
5000, 900 in tobacco alone came yearly
from the one province of Isabella. The
tobacco OF this province is preferred
for expectation TO that OF Cayagan.
Both provinces raise also sugar, rice,
cocoa and coffee. Cattle also are
shipped from Apart.
I'm going from Tagudin 10 Bangar
we passed from the province OF locus
Sur into that OF Union. the province Of
locus Sur raising principally rice, to-
bacco, sugar, cattle and sheep. The
/ cultivation OF cocoanuts is profitable
and Is increasing in extent. Goats and
pigs are raised In great numbers
Many of the people are engaged in the
weaving Of cotton, from which they
make cloth. towels, etc
Many Mines In Mountains.
"In the mountains there are mines OF
copper, sulphur and gold, but these we
have not seen. The streams are
numerous, but many Of them have very
| little current. They are crossed by a
ferry-a bamboo raft hauled across by
means OF bamboo rope which spans
the stream. Travelling on this read In
the rainy season Is rather difficult. Car.
riages are usually used, but they are
frequently mired and the passengers
are compelled TO walk The carriages
are drawn by either horses. steers or
buffalo. according 10 the state OF the
roads"
Cases Dismissed.
Wilkesbarre, Pa. Feb. 2.-District At
torney Martin, who prosecuted the case
against Sheriff James Martin. for the