The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-05-24
With Gen. SMITH
Word From the First California,
On N8gT0S lSle'
ARE IN A FAIR PLACE
Call the Station Paradise The
People Rather OutIandish
Some Interesting Service.
(Manil3 FTeedOm.)

| On tle 23rd OF March Father Doyle
left for Negros with the 2nd battalion
of California Infantry, under Col Du-
boce. He returned Tuesday per Bu-
| tuan, and reports that tranquility
reigns IN the south islands
The California boys are stationed as
| follows:
2 Companies, BacOlod
2 Companies, mammalian
Companies, La Carlota.
The End battalion after stopping at
| IlOilo proceeded to San Enrique, Neg
ros, whence it was transported by
tramway to La Carlota. Col. Duboce
| is in command at this place
The natives are peaceful and friendly
and order and discipline prevails. Each
town continues to be governed by the
local officials, who always confer with
Col. Smith regarding local affairs.
The natives resemble the Filipinos
in looks, manners and customs, but
their language is Viscayan, a Malay
dialect not understood by the Tagalos.
There is a financial Mahomedan leader
in the mountain district who is doing
business as a God. He is known as
Papa Icio and he has about a thousand
villainOuS cut-thrOatS with him who
rob, plumber and murder the peaceful
natives. Not long since the head Off
cial of mammalian, a town 20 miles
from BacolOd, sent ten native citizens
to endeavOr to arrange a truce with
the would be deity. While the ENJOYS
were conversing with him, they were
set upon and slaughtered by the out
laws, but one escaping.
Word was at once sent to Col Smith.
and Co. A. Capt. JnO. T. Connolley,
and Co. E, Capt. VIM. T. Robertson
under the command of Major Hugh J.
Sine were at once despatched to Jima-
mailan. At 3 o'clock the next morning
this little detachment, having native
guides plunged into the dense tropical
forest, and started for the mountain
fastness Of the marauding fanatic.
These two companies might easily
have been ambushed and the whole of
America horror stricken. But a kind
providence prevented such a dreadful
ending and at day light the twelve
miles of jungle trail We're traversed,
and the neighbOrhood of Icio found
deserted. Probably the known proves
of the American soldiers saved them
from annihilation. Father Doyle hero
ically accompanied this expedition and
he expected serious trouble before its
work was completed.
The bandit had a natural fortress
surrounded by morass, approachable
by only one path. The graves of the
native peace commission were found
but of the outlaws nothing could be
seen. Their spies had given warning
and the band had retreated into the
higher mountain Businesses.
Father Doyle says that the soldiers
are making an enviable record, and
are on the most friendly terms with
the natives. Col. Smith is preparing
provisional constitution, and main
tanning perfect order. The better class
Of natives are ready 10 accept any form
of government that may be offered,
as they recognize the fact that the
United States in any event will treat
them humanely and that the fullest
measure of self government consistent
with circumstances will be allowed.
The soldiers are in excellent health.
Most delicious sea bathing is at hand.
tropical fruits abundant. The island is
q typical tropical land 1t is a Para
disc, and fullfils ones idea as to what
an IueaI lduu should De. ne climate
is delightful. cool breezes prevailing
The richness of the land cannot be
described; the entire island is like a
garden. AS the boys marched out in
The dim light of dawn towards the lair
Of the mountain rObber, they thought
they were passing through luXuriant
and highly cultivated gardens. Dawn
revealed the fact that they were in the
midst of virgin forest and mother
Nature was the only gardener. Grasses
as high as the shoulders, graceful
palms, cocoa groves. banana trees and
a variety of tropical fruits were grow
ing in the utmost profusion.
The principal agricultural product
is sugar The land is mostly owned in
large tracts by Spaniards who are
willing TO lease the same. At present
the sugar industry is in demOraliZed
condition, and little is being accom-
plished. Now is the time for Amer
lean brains. enterprise and capital.
Untold fortunes are awaiting growers
on NegrOs.