The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-07-07
IN Isn Who Were Here Report
From Manila.
s;RFoRM PRACTICAL SERVICE
Follow Up the Lines with Reading
Matter and Wriiing Material
In Camp and Hospital.

report from the Association workers
stationed in Manila:
Dear Friends: Our last letter left
the troops holding line OF intrench
ments around the city, some fifteen
miles in length. This position was
maintained until March 25th. when
general advance along the north was
begun and has continued with short
intervals of rest up to the present
time, the troops having advanced as
far as San Fernando, forty-five miles
north of Manila and fifteen miles be-
yond Maiolos, the former insurgent
capital.
The Manila and Dagupan Railway
which traverses the region OF the Sc
verest Of the conflict, has been made
the base of supplies, the trains follow
Ing the course OF our advancing troops
as fast as the Engineering Corps can
repair the section Of track torn up by
the retreating Filipinos. BY the time
the advance had been made as far as
MalOlos some 1000 men had been scat
tered by companies along the railway
to protect the base of supplies. One
regiment is stationed at the water
works and nearer the city, for its pro-
lection, the line of intrenchments va
Gated March 25th. are held by some of
the newly arrived regiments Of Regu-
lars. This in few words defines the
location of the troops.
Since the last report our main work
has been the continuance of the distri-
button of stationery and literature
The field Is large, extending from Pa
sal. FIVE miles south, to as far as the
Bag-bag river, 80 miles north, but as
far as possible the troops were reached.
especial attention being given to the
incomplete regiments which have no
chaplain to do such work for them.
To enable us to more readily reach
the men We were kindly issued gen.
eral passes by Gen. Otis, which also
permit us to use the railway, there be-
ing two trips daily between Manila and
the present terminus at the Bag-bag
river.
Some of our trips occupy several
days; for instance, when Malolos was
taken and the advance halted for sew
eral days good supply was taken up
on the train and temporarily stored at
the Commissary Depot. Three days
were spent visiting the different regi-
ments and disposing of the supplies.
On such occasions a blanket and ra-
tion outfit are carried, when one Is al
ways welcome to the company mess
and to occupy the shelter tent of some
man who happens to be on outpost
duty. For such trips as to the water
works, Caloocan or Pasai the supplies
are usually taken in one OF the two
wheeled carts or caramatas, and the
distribusion along the lines done on
foot.
Various supplies were sent to the
men at Negros, Cebu. lloilo. Correg-
idOr, and an effort made to supply
those at the First Division Hospital
During March and April the following
were distributed:
Envelopes, 20,500; writing paper, 53,-
900 sheets; New Testaments, $50; pa
pers, 2300; Colportage books, 1885, |
magazines, $50.
rhA ~ 1ftNfn
ater on Sunday mornings. at which we
have been assisting with our organ
and hymn books, etc, still continue.
The attendance at the service at the
First Division Hospital has been in
creasing, an average of between rs
and 100 of the convalescents gathering
every Sunday afternoon. The inhu-
ence of the meetings extends far be-
yOhd this. however, as many of those
confined TO the wards can hear the
singing and listen attentively as the
familiar tunes greet their ears.
The prospects for the future seem
encouraging, Regular troops are con-
stantly arriving so that should the
Volunteers be sent home, as they justly
deserve, there would still be a large
army gathered here. During the
rainy season, which Is close at hand,
many OF the troops viii no doubt be
located In the city, even sho nd peace
be declared. In such case steps will
ba taken TO secure a Suitabla ,Nuilainp