The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-05
GLIMPSES AT THE
ISLAND OF LUZON.
A Picture Of Conditions as They Exist
in the Largest Island Of the Group.
TWO ADVENTUROUS OFFICERS
Employ Their Leave of Absence IN An
Exploration OF the Interior. Which
Had Been Hitherto Almost I'm
known To Americans.

WASHINGTON, Jan So.-AAo SieaieeN
and most accurate picture OF conditions
as they exist In the interior Of the great
Island OF LuzOn. the largest OF the fhii-
ipplne group. with an area equaling mat
OF the state OF virginia that has yet
been presented 10 the official eye, as that
set out IN report mace 20 the Navy
department OF tho tour Of TWO young
American naval officers. laymaster ".
B. Wilcox ana cadet r. l.. sargent
officers OF Dcwcy's ncet This recital OF
the hitherto unknown characteristics OF
the island beyond the limits OF Manila
and a few OF the more important OF the
Iuzon ports with its glimpses OF the
military conditions. the difficulties that
lie IN the way Of the explorer the habits
OF the people. and finally the modest re-
cftal OF the almost insurmountable OBJ
sfacles that were overcome by the
shrewdness ana nerve Of these young ma
Val officers has earned for their achieve
ment not only the praise OF Admiral
Dewey. but also the officials here in
Washington 10 whom II has been sub
mitted.
Being granted leaves OF absence last
October Paymaster Wilcox and Cadet
Sargent chose 20 employ their leisure
time In making an exploration OF the IN
terror OF the island of Luzon, about
Knirn very IAtsf WIS E44DFN BY Ait'
American army and naval officers. At tho
outset they were warned that they could
not PASS the lines OF the Philippine forces
without permission OF AgUiualdo. Upon
application 10 this leader nj Malolos.
his headquarters. ne first required
formal sanction OF their request by Ad-
mlral Dewey. General Otis or General
Macarthur. and later when this was pro-
duced. declined altogether 70 issue pass
al o naDlrrrH the officers nIf
they were free 20 proceed without moles-
tstion from his forces Accordingly
start was made October 5th with five
servants. eight horses and between POO
and 400 pounds Of baggage. including
camp outfit. two rifles and a shot gum
with ammunition.
Al the town OF Bayamh2ng. whore they
took horse. they met two Americans. VINO
had been turned back to Manila because
they had no PASSPORTS from AgiinaldO. A
souad Of Philippine soldiers was al tho
station. but through the influence OF an
English resident. wilcox and Sargent
were enabled 10 proceed towards Roealcs.
tho next town on their route. They say:
GOOD RAODS.
For the first five and six miles from
Rayambang we found the roads ia good
condition and travelled with case. Near
o. 70 Rosales the roads We're deep IN
mud AMI covered with water in places.
We were forced 10 go on foot the great
or part Of the distance. men and horses
having great difficulty in making their
way About II o'clock in ;he morning
we passed through the small town OF Al
cola. There were twelve soldiers STA
toned in this town IN charge of a ser
vcant. They were armed with Reming-
ton rifles. We were met by the civil
authorities and We're surrounded 10y the
people Much curiosity was expressed IN
regard 10 our outfit. bat 80 was Of harm
Tess and friendly nature No passports
we're mentioned and the soldiers lid not
assert themseives I'm any way"
The travellers We're treated courteously
AZ Rosales. where twenty soldiers were
stationed. though surprise was expressed
at their lack OF passports.
Continuing. the report reads.
Prom Rosaies 20 Huminr1n. and
thence 10 San Jose. our experiences Or
travel were much the same as those al-
ready described. The road lead through
the low rice region or the Province OF
Vueva Icaja. II rained almost constant
u and the roads We're nearly impossible.
We went on foot much OF the distnce
Tsa pack horses We're unable 10 carry
their loads ana we were forced 90 engage
natives 70 relieve them. Labor was
cheap. Ten men could usually be en-
gagged for a day for the sum OF two dol
lars In silver, or less than ten cents in
rolJ per man We travelled slowly over
This distance the labor OF waking
through the mud frequently over our
knees being excessive nh" horses
grow poor rapidly and We were forced 10
husband their strength. They We're occo-
fionallv FRUSTRATED in the road and our
progress was delayed until they could re-
cover their strength. Moreover we could
id fmDrn
night. As many Of thcm as three ~
time were unable 20 carry any weight Tor
several DAYS one eervan. became hl
and vas left az n village The rest OF
the marty retained their health with the
exception Of occasional cases OF mar
rhoea and consequent sickness OF the
stomach which did not prevent travel
ling. Our food during this period con-
sisted OF bacon and hard-tack which We
had brought With ms. and chickens and
rice which We obtained from tho ma
,ives. The cooking was done by our own
servant.
RICn GROWING.
Throughout this part OF the province
~ Nueva Icaia almost the only form or
agriculture encouraged at present by Oh"
natives Is rice growing ittle sugar ~
also raised. The land is very rich we
encountered no barren or unfertlle spots
The feds al this - ason OF the yea aif
ssveral irches deep IN water. There was
20 timber OF value along the direct line
=, our routes. bur n re hills along the
liver arno forests could be seen. There
are very few forests and practically 10
cattle. There are a treat ru~1bs- r. h"t-
s,lo and these are of ext~ene util'tv. I'M
r-incipai labor OF IRE NATIVES ~ tbs Sca-
a., n, re Yer "a the tNrosNinF - rice.
M. (. done verv r~irn't'veIy wa IN
r,ernent. that resemble on a larTe scale
H.. nestle and NOR ~ OF a chemist. The
,oo~ta- IA renisced bv q section OF log
=, had wood followed out 20 receive fhc
Grains Tho p~gt'e by a hard club from
tour 10 Eve feet long and about SIX
.pches I'm diameter a. each end
In the villages % Humi"10 and Inneo
,.hero are a few Spanish prisoners
,-ts4t. soldiers and civil officials We
have seen rcnresenfat' ves or each or
.hese three classes IN those towns. We
could detect no sigrs OF m treatment nor
~ undue restriction On the contrary.
tbev appeared % possess the freedom OF
sho towns IN which they lived. The
,,-csaaen. local and other local ofiic'a's
are native Philippines. Most OF them
bavo received n certain amount OF eou-
cation al religious schools IN Manila.
,rbev are intelligent men ond orc "N-
.rcroefv eager 20 learn news from the
npfstde world Their knowleige ~ mo
t.vu hiatorv and geography Is extremely