Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-06-21
FROM THE PHILIPPINES.
An Interesting Letter From an Old
Darlington Boy.


(from the publican-Journal, Darlington,
wisconsin,
The following interesting letter from
A. Carpenter, youngest son of Mr..
and ihrs. IL. N. Carpenter, formerly
of this city but now of Syracuse, Neb.,
will no doubt be read with interest by
hundreds OF our readers who are friends
of the Carpenter family.
Young Carpenter has been in the
Philippines for two years, and, being
close observer, is enabled to present
the Philippine question in clear and
forcible manner.
The letter was first published in the
Syracuse Journal, April 18th, and has
been extensively copied throughout
the west.
''Santo Tomas,
Luzon, p. l., Feb. 26, 1900.
DIR. ID. Il. Hill, Syracuse, Neb.
KIND FRIEND see by the news
papers that great political war is
coming on in the States, with the
question foremost in the minds of the
American people, What shall be done
WIN 'iio hiiiPpihc ioiuhiS
feel, as / am on the ground, and
have ever opportunity for observation,
that | should give you my conclusions
as to the conditions existing here. l see
by some of the state papers, great mis-
representation of the condition of af-
fairs as they actually exist here. BY
their arguments they endeavor to lead
these people to believe if they continue
their Bolo warfare, congress will with
draw all American soldiers from the
islands, deliver the same into the hand
of Aguinaldo and his followers. II
those Americans who call themselves
'Anti-lmpeIialists' could lose sight of
the spoils of office long enough to see
the result of their damnable work on
these misguided people, believe they
would right about, face ? and support
an administration which is doing all
possible to set bound people free.
BY all the laws of nations these
islands belong to the United States,
and L hope will remain so forever
This island is the Flower of the Paci.
fic,' with vast resources undeveloped
only waiting the advance of civilization.
In travelling through the Archipelago,
a revelation of vegetable and mineral
wealth will be observed on every hand.
No land In America surpasses in fer
tility the plains and valleys of the
Luzon. Rice, coffee, sugar, tobacco,
cocoanuts and hemp and many other
products of the temperate and tropic
zones will grow with vigor known
only to these islands. The forests can
supply the furniture of the world for
years. The mineral wealth can hardly
be estimated nor the boundry line
fixed. Yet ample evidence is at hand
that mineral and coal are deposited
here in untold quantities. The fact is,
during all these years of Spanish rule
these islands have never been explored.
On the Island Luzon light grain
gold has been found in the sand of the
streams, and on one of the islands
great deposits of copper exist. / base
this statement on personal observation
as well as the statements made by
merchants and escaped prisoners who
have had ample opportunity to observe
the formation of the country. Look at
these islands which are the door to all
east, and time is not far distant when
the question will be asked, Where are
we to turn for customers of our sur
plus?' All will admit that in the fut-
ure the largest trade must be with
thickly populated but so far undevelo-
ped Asia. The great commercial
powers of Europe have not been slow
in observing the advantage of the trade
of the east, as they have all secured
permanent bases on the borders OF
China. The Pacific is ours, and the
power that rules the Pacific will rule
the world. With the Philippine Is,
lands as our base, America will hence,
forth be the dictator. Are we to retreat
and leave this people to lawless and
and unjust power? No! we will not
abandon our opportunity or repudiate
our duty in the Archipelago; nor will
we renounce our part in the mission
of our race. We will move forward
with gratitude worthy of strength, and
thanksgiving to our Creator that He
has marked us, His chosen people, to
lead in the civilization of the world
Let pardon be granted to these So
called 'Anti-Imperialists' for much of
the sentiment is due to the tales of a
few would-be soldiers, who have found
their way back to homes they never
should have left. An ever-ready par
tisan press magnify these fables and
Bryan and his party march through
the country bowling calamity and in
spring the people of Luzon with false
hopes.
Our regiment, Both U. s. ", has
been doing grand work since landing
in Manila Bay, and too much praise
cannot be given our gallant and noble
commander, Col. r.. l.. Bullard, who,
with his command, has restored peace
and order in the provinces of Lozuana,
Batanzee and Tayabas. With few
more commanders of the type of Col.
Billiard, the instruction would very
soon be but page of history.
With kind regards to all, am,
Very respectfully,