The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-17
Campaigning in North Luzon.

All our military operations In Luxon,
| until the past few days, have been confined
to the low-lying plains that converge upon
Manila from north and south whore the
irrigated rice folds spread away between
areas OF high and dense Jungle These
plains have been almost impossible In tho
rainy season now ending and tho campo gn
against AoUINALpO was therefore practi-
cally suspended for six months. Under the
best conditions the march and camp in
these stoaning lowlands are trying to men
unaccustomed to n tropical climate.
Last month the monsoon changed. The
southern winds that for six months had
brought continuous downpour veered to
the north and the season OF the polar mon
soon set In. This period OF change Ia the
dreaded time Of typhoons and some weeks
olapse lefore the season OF cooler and
comparatively clear weather begins. In
these last days OF the rainy season our
troops, under Generals LAwToS, MAcAR-
THUR, YOUNG and WHEATON have been
pushing on over tho plains OF Luzon,
making steady progress in spite OF mud
and rain. beginning the campaign thus
early in order to catch AGuISALpo II
to prevent him from returning south.
This northern movement has brought our
forces to the north cdgo OF the rice plains
bounded by high hills and part Of the cav
airy has already crossed tho hill ranges and
descended into the valley OF the Cagayan.
the largest river OF Luzon. Thus our adj
vance guard has left the region OF rice and
entered the best tobacco-growng area of
the Philippines. They have fought, hither-
to, In one OF the most popuous parts OF the
archipelago, where the density OF popula-
ton Is as high as 200 to the square mile.
They have now entered valley which, for
hundred miles north OF their present
position, has not more than fifty inhabi-
tants to the square mile They have
reached river that Ia navigated In light
draught boats for two hundred miles to It's
mouth at tho north end OF the island.
In other words they have attained n
part OF the island. extending about
two hundred miles north and south,
where an all-water route Is the means
OF communication with Manila. All the
settlements along tho Cagayan are ship
ping points for the tobacco that IL collected
at the port OF APART and transferred to
coastwise vessels that take II TO Manila,
II We were entering upon long cam paign
In north Luzon, which seems improbable,
the CaRayan would be OF great Importance
for the transportation Of military supplies,
difficult matter thus far at all points away
from the railroad.
1t remains to be seen whether AsU1SAIpo
can elude our troops by skulking in tho
mountains that border the Cagayan Valley
on the east and west. It does not seem
likely that he could maintain any cons!d-
cradle force among these mountains, for
they are almost destitute OF population
and food resources. Very few OF tho valley
people have taken any part In his war and
coming among them as fugitive he can
scarcely expect to rally them to his SUD
port Entering this valley. he has left be-
hind the region and people that have sup
piled him with fighters and food. No other
proof Is needed to show that his "rcpublio"
is to-day myth.