The Portland daily press., 1899-02-02

Their Report the Clesrest nm"
Most Accurate Picture OF Conditions
ms They Exist In the Interior Of the
Island Yet Presented.
Washington, January IS The clearest
and most accurate picture of conditions
as they exist in the interior of the great
island Of Luzon, the largest of the Philip
pine group, with an area equalling that
Of the State of Virginia, that has yet
been presented to the ofii,ial eye, Is that
set out In a report made to the Navy De-
partnent OF the tour Of two young Ame-i
can naval officers, Paymaster W. b. Will
cox. and Cadet X. L.. Sargent, officers of
Dewey's fleet. This recital of the hither-
TO unknown characteristics OF the island
beyo nd the limits of Manila and few OF
the more important Of the Luron ports,
with It's glimpses OF the military oondi-
lions, the difficulties that lie In the way
of the OF plorer, the habits OF the people,
and finally the modest recital OF the al
most insurmountable obstacles that were
overcome by the shrewdness and nerve oil
these young naval officers has earned Tor
their achievement not only the praise oil
Admiral Dewey, but also the officials here
in Washington to whom 1t has been sub
mitted.
Being granted leaves OF absence last
October, Paymaster Wilcox and Cadet
SARGENT chose to employ their leisure
time In making an exploration of the In.
terror Of the island of LuZon, about
which very little was known by the
A merioan army and naval officers. AT
the outset they were warned that they
could not pass the lines Of the Philippine
forces without permission OF Aguinaldo.
Upon application to this leader at Malolos,
his beaoq uarters, he first required for
NAL sanction of their request by Admiral
Dewey, General Otis or Gen. Macarthur,
and later when this was produced, de-
cliped altogether TO issue a passport, al
though he assured the officers that they
,yere free to proceed without molestation
from his forces. Accordingly start was
made October 9th with i've servants,
eight horses and between 200 and 400
pounds Of baggage, including camp ont
lit. two rifles and shot gun, with am
munition.
AT the town OF Bayambang, where they
TO TX morse, tDtN INV WV n 49,
mad been turned back TO Manila because
they had no passports from Aguinaldo
SQUAD of Philippine soldiers was at the
station but through the influence OF an
English resident, Wilcox anu sargent
were enabled to proceed towards hosales,
the next town on their route. lhey say
''For the first five and six miles nom
Rayamba bang We found the roads In gooh
condition and travelled with ease. Nearer
IN kosaies the roads were deep In mud
and covered with waite + In places. We
were forced 10 10 on foot the greater part
of the distance, men and horses having
grant difficulty in making their way.
Atout II O'Clock In the morning we
passed through the small town Of Alcola
There we're : soldiers stationed in this
town in charge of a sergeanti they were
armed with Remington rifles. We were
met by the civil authorities ana were
surrounded by the people. Much curiosity
was expressed in regard TO our oueut; put
it was Of a harmless and friendly nature.
No passports were mentioned and the
soldiers did not assert themselves in any
The travellers were treated oourteously
at Rosalee, where 20 soldiers were
stationed, though surprise was expressed
at their lack Of passports.
'From Hosales to Humingan. and
thence to San Jose, our experiences oil
tray,l were much the same as those al.
ready described. The road led through
the low rice re ion of the Province OF
Vuesv Icaja. IL rained almost constantly
and the roads were nearly impassaole.
We went on foot much of the distanoe.
The mack horses were unable to carry
their loads and we were forced to engage
natives 10 relieve them. Labor was cheap.
len men could usually be engaged for a
day for the sum OF two dollars In silver;
or less than ten cents In gold per man.
We travelled slowly over this distance; the
labor of walking through the mud. fire.
ouently over our knees, being excessive.
The horess grew poor rapidly ana Te
were forced to husband their strength
They were occasionally Frustrated in the
road, and our progress was delayed until
they coull recover their strength. More
over we could seldom find proper food for
them at night AS many OF them as three
al time were unable to carry any weight
for several days One ssrvant became Ill
aud was left at a village. The rest of the
party retained their health with the ex
oepuion of occasional cases OF diarrhoea
and consequent sickness Of the stomach
which did not prevent travelling. Our
food during this period consisted OF bacon
aud harctack which we had brought with
as: and chickens and rioe which we OBJ
tanned from the natives. The cooking
was done by our own servant
Throughout this part OF the proVince OF
Nueys Icaja almost the only form OF
agriculture encouraged at present by the
natives Is rice growing. A little sugar Is
also raj ed The land Is very rich; we
encou ntered no barren or unfertlle Spots
The fields at this seast of sthe year are
several inches deep in water. There was
no timber OF value along the direct line OF
our routes, but in the hills along the river
A Qno forests could be seen. There are
very few forests and practically no cattle.
There are great numb OF buffalo and
these are OF extreme utility. The princi.
nal labor of the natives at this season of
The year is the tbreshing of rice. This is
done very primitivey with implements
that resemble on IA large scale the pestle
and mortar of a chemist, The mortar Is