The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-03-14
IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The Great American Eagle Still Firth.
er Spreads His Protecting Wings.-
Interesting Talk Of the Far OF
Lands. 80.

Lands. ,...
Letter from Ensign Thos. D. Parker, -
Us. S. Aparia, .oa .s,
Of Aparia, Jan. 10, l9OO.
We have been empire building since last
wrote. We ran up several hundred miles TO
the Batan Islands where we wished 10 hoist
the flag. On the way we stopped at Logayan,
remote o sand Sa asmd n0r5n q aS y
ing, but that was soon replaced by white
flag, and the latter by an American ensign
which the Captain and three OF US watched
rising with great soemnfty, while our bugler
tives around looked az If they didnt know
what the noise was about and didn't care:
When ordered they gave three "Vivas" for
the Americans with conscientious energy, and
then retired to their fishing and rice culture.
We wandered about the town IA hamleD and
into the most ancient church nave ever seen.
A long, low thatched hut, with an altar and
all necessary, though rudely carved, images.
The best thing about hogayan was the sea
shells, such as have never noticed anywhere
else.
were more interesting. The Governor, ma.
tive, came up with us from Caparri. Though
he had been born on the island and had lived
there much Of his time, be was singularly
intelligent, might almost say, polished man.
Really 1 should say that this Governor Of q
remote group of little Pacific Ocean Islands
was more polished in his manners than al
most any officer aboard the princeton. He
with regard 10 the newcomer, and showed
both force and tact In handling bis little COM
munity. We landed at San Domingo, 10
us, includfpg the Governors thirteen chill.
dren, most OF them daughters.
After the flag ceremony the Governor and
his large family entertained us In very good
matched house, and "warmed the heart" with
lily music. II was, or would be, a lesson to
many American families TO see the thirteen
children sit all together {on the chairs or the
floor and after starting up chorus, all at
the same time and In the same key, sing on
as naturally as II they were in church. The
people seemed TO be deserving and free from
At night there was "bali," to which most of
the officers went. excluding the omcer OF the
deck, which was Mo, and Rust, Of Virginia,
who drew the color line.
The Paymaster carried over phon ograph,
with a view to being sensational. This is
great country for smoking. I am bringing
back cigar about two feet long and CORES.
pondingly large: The ladies' here are fond OF
smoking large cigars, and prefer putting the
big end in their mouths. While we were ex-
changing compliments with some ladies at
Logayan, one Of them noticed tnat she had
left her cigar and sent q little girl (she was not
over five) TO get 1t. The little girl not only
managed to bring 1t with difficulty, but
was also smoking It herself when she ran up,
saving her mother the trouble OF lighting 1t
In the wind. An American girl would never
have done this.
Though IL would takes reporters imagina-
tion to describe life or Aparri. do not find
1t dull or altogether useless. There is great
temptation to read on the Princeton, and just
now great necessity for study, SO that person
ally, tue Philippines may be good for me.
The change of duties makes me much better
reconciled to q tropical climate. Since join
ing this ship I have secarcely ever felt any
heat. s ..-
This afternoon we had another 1boat race,
each of the sailing boats In charge ofEa Watch !
ffnr rof Int
boat, the I'd Cntter, came In ahead.
YesterdayI went ashore fora little wander
ing walk. L went into the Army Com mis-. |
sary store to select some cigars. You would
be aston shed at the completeness OF their |
stock. When time allows, our troops are
we'll looked after, The army gave q 'balp'
last night 10 which we were all invited, but |
no boat wentin.