Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-04
ABSOLUTELY PURE


the Rio Pinananauan with the Rio
Grande. 1t is protected by these wide
streams from all points except the
south. To attack the city by land
from the south it would be necessary
to bring troops up the eastern side OF
roads. The site of the city, moreover.
is raised about 40 feet above the level
of the river.
SPANISH PRISONERS.
We desired to continue our journey
from llagan TO TuguegaraO, and from
that point cross the mountains to the
western coast. This request was wired
by Sn. Villa to Col. Tirona at Aparri
The officer replied that 1t would not
be possible to make the proposed trip
Mt this season OF the year. He repeat
ed his invitation to visit Apart, take
steamer from that port, disembark
at northern point on the western
coast and continue our journey south
by land. This arrangement was ac-
cepted as the most satisfactory one
left open to us
There are many Spanish prisoners in
this town--civil officers. priests, SOL
diers.- Eighty-four- priests were parad-
ed in the street for our inspection. only
four or five of them wearing robes of
their office. Nearly all of them were
long haired and boards. They appeared
i'll good health, and We could detect no
evidence of maltreatment. These priS-
oners had been assembled from differ
ent parts of the province. They are
kept under stricter guard than either
of the two other classes of prisoners,
for the reason that the native officials
fear that. if permitted to go among
the people, they will use the influence
they possess through their position in
h. oh ,.,lk ,,.,tt af,,..t tl,..
Philippine government.
PROVINCE OF CAGAYEN.
In these two days we passed out of
the province of Isabella. and entirely
through the province of Cagayen. These
are tie leading tobacco provinces in
the island. An idea of their wealth can
be obtained from the fact that, before
the Philippine inSurrection. three mil
lion dollars in tobacco alone came
yearly from the one province of Isa-
bella. The tobacco of this province is
preferred for expectation to that of
Cagayan. Both provinces raise also
sugar. rice, cocoa and coffee. Cattle are
shipped from APART.
INDEPENDENCE ASSURED.
The steamer Saturnas, which had
left the harbor the day before our ar
rival, brought news from Hong Kong
papers that the Senators from the
United States at the Congress of Paris
favored the independence of the ISL
ands, with an American protectorate.
Colonel Tirona considered the infor-
nation of sufficient reliability to juSti-
fy him in regarding the Philippines
independence as assured, and warfare
in the island at an end. For this rea-
son, he proceeded to relinquish the mil
itary command he held over the prov
inceS, and to place this power in the
hands of civil officer elected by the
people. This officer also made n speech
in which he thanked the disciplined
military forces and their colonel for
the service they had rendered the prov
ince; and assured them that the work
they had begun would be perpetuated
by the people of the province. where
every man, woman and child. stood
ready to take UP arms to defend their
newly won liberty. and to resist with
the last drop of their blood the attempt
of any nation whatever to bring them
back to their former state of depend
ence. His speech was very impassioned
He then knelt. placed his hand on an
open Bible, and took the oath of of
flee.
We were Hospitality entertained at
the APART. Two balls were given in
our honor. The town has Il populatio
of 10000. The military force stationed
mere consists of three hundred soldiers.
in addition to which the harbor has
the protection of the gunboat Philip
PIMA" which carries two guns of n call
ibre of about three inches. There are
no SpaniardS here. with the exception
of two or three merchants.
A COURTEOUS SPANIARD.
At the town of Cabajao they permit
ted us to proceed to Magsingal, where
they could communicate S.-iit theirs SUI
perior They very politely insisted on
our taking their carriage, while they
followed in our cart. We were delayed
at Magsingal until the early evening.
waiting for an answer from the com
mandante. He brought the answer
himself. in n handsome carriage drawn
by four horses. He had with him
copy of the order he had Just received
from the Philippine Secretary of War.
This order granted liberty TO persons
of any nation, except Spain, to travel
at will through the islands. under GER
tain restrictions, viz: they could not
carry arms, nor approach within 200
metres of fertilization, nor make any
plans or take photographs of them In
compliance with this order. we were al
lowed to proceed: but were requested
to give up all our arms. including our
revolvers. We went on to Vigan that
night. accompanied by the com.
mandante and five other officers. who
had assembled at Magsingal.
We remained at Vigan all next day.
November 18th.
COMPLAINT OF TAXES.
At one of the houses of several
trades people. we heard the first and
only definite complaint. which came to