New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-02
N THE INTERIOR OF LTZON.
DARING TRIP OF TWO or ADMIRAL
DFWEY'S OFFICERS.
DESCRIPTION OF TIE RESOURCES OF THE
ISLAND IGNORANCE OF NATIVES
HARpSHIPS or TIE JOURNEY

UARDsHIPS or TIE JOURNEY.
Washington Jan 3l-The cloarcst and most ac-
curate picture ~ conditions they exist I'm the IN
terror Of the great island Of Luzon, the largest "
the Philippine group. with an area equallinG that
Of the State Of Virginia that has yet been officially
presented IS that SGT out i'm report made to the
Navy Department Of the tour - two Young Ameri-
can naval officers. Paymastor ". p. Wilcox and
Cadet r. L. Sargent officers % Dcwcy's feet This
recital Of the hitherto unknown characteristics n
the island beyond the limits Of Manila and fow
Of the more important of the Luzon ports with its
slimpses Of tho military conditions the difficulties
that lie the way of the explorer. the habits -
the people and finally the modest recital OF the al
most insurmountable obstacles that were overcome
by the shrewdness an nerve Of these young naval
officers has earned FOR thclr achievement not only
the praise OF Admiral Dewey but also u the OIL
Gals here in Washington 90 whom # has been SUBJ
mitted
Having received leaves OF absence last October
Paymaster Wilcox and cadet Sargent chose TO en-
iploy their leisure time I'm making an exploration Of
the interior Of tho island OF Luzon. about which
'little known by the American Army ana Navy
officers At the outset they were warned that they
could not pass tho lines Of the Philippine forces
without the PERMISSION of Aeulnaldo. Upon appi-
cation 10 this leader at Malolos, his headquarters
he first required formal sanction Of their request
by Admiral Dewey, General Otis or General Nc
hArthur and. later when this produced de-
,olined altogether TO issue passport although he
assured the officers that they free to proceed
without molestation from his forces Accordingly a
start made on October with FIVE servants,
eight horses and between three hundred and four
HUNDRED pounds Of baggage including camp outfit.
Two rifles and a shotgun and ammunition
ROADS ALMOST IMPAssABLE.
The travellers were treated courteously at Ro-
sales where twenty soldiers stationed. though
surprise expressed AT their lack Of passports.
Continuing, the report reads
From Rosales 10 Huminsan. and thence to san
Jose experiences Of travel were much the same
the 'R o% ee G region Of The province 81 Ngeva Ic
1t ra.ned almost constantly. and the roads were
nearly impossible. We went on foot much Of the
distance. Tho packhorses were unable 70 carry
their loads, and We were forced to e2sage NATIVES
usually he engaged for a day for the sum OF s In
, ,VeT o. so yha over his dlaoe The labor If
walking through the mud: frequently over our
Tapidly and We were forced TO husband thcir
strength They were ireouSniy 5r0s,rated IN ne
md proper food for them at night As many Of thcm
as three at a time unable 10 carry any weight
FOR several DAYS. One servant became III. and was
health with the exception ~ occasional cases of
this period consisted OF bacon and bareback which
which We obtained from the natives. The cooking
done by our own servant
Ieaja almost the only form OF a9riculi1re encoar-
I'M s,,car s ,ls r,i.ld Tho land is rch. we en-
countercd no barren or unfertile spots The fields
at this OF the year are several inches deep
IN water. There was no timDcr OF value along the
direct ne OF our routes. bat in the hills along the
River AgnO forests could boz seen. There are few
forests and practically 30 cattle There are great
number az bunaoes. and these are OF extreme utii-
fty. The principal labor ~ the natives AT this
season o. the year g. tho throshing ~ rice. tbs
IS done 2rim.tivey. with impe m"nis that resemble
large scale the pcstle ana mortar o. chemist:
The mortar Is replaced by section OF q log of
hard wood followed out 10 receive the grains the
pestle by hard club from four 20 FIVE feet long
q nd about sx inches IN diameter ~ each end.
in the villages Of Humingan and LupaO there are
few Spanish prisoners, priests. soldiers and civN
officials We have seen rcprescr tatives OF each
~ these three classes IN these towns. We could
detect signs - iil-trea tnent nor OF undue re-
striction. On the contrary. they appeared 70 pos
sess the freedom Of tho towns IN which they lived.
IGNORANCE OF TIE NATIVES.
The Presidente and other local officials native
F!npinos. Most Of them have received certain
amount OF education religious schools in Manila.
They are Intelligent men, and are extremely eager
TO learn from the outside world Their
knowledge OF modern history and geography 10 ex-
ueinely limited. and their ignorance OF current