The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04

with Spain, and my soJourn mere mas peel
interesting in the highest degree. The eA'
tremc boundary of lie Archipelago IRON
north TO south being about the same IN eX-
tent as that of the United States from tn'
Lakes to the Gulf. and the altitude in some
localities being very high. the climate. ant
the products are very diverse. There arr
vast level valleys planted in rice anC
sugar some twenty miles in extent There
are beautiful mountains. and the air ant
temperature upon the high tablelands ant
benches, or foothills of the mountains. 4
delightful The little Island of Corregidor
at the entrance TO Manila Harbor, as {
place for comfort and health, is equal {,
The temperature is so nearly the sane
during the entire year that this is de-
sirable place to frequent at all seasons.
General Wheeler in whose command
have served for nearly four months and
who has been in many countries, remarked
a few days ago: IF Cuba is the Pearl of
the Antilles. then certainly this country is
the Pearl of the Orient. =" He believes that
the transfer of these islands to the United
States will prove of great benefit to the
people of both countries.
Health in Luzon.
We see many statement in-the newspa-
pers indicating that the climate of Luzon
is not healthy. have given it a fair test
and enjoyed good health. General Wheel
er has given il very severe test. He has
been out on duty in the heat of the sun,
and in the dews of all hours of the night.
When working at the washout, he was wet
as a fish for hours at a time, and the
nightshe built the pontoon bridge he was
in the water for a considerable time.
he has been in the rain day after day, and
while on reconnaissance he has swum riy-
ers with his horse and slept in wet clothes
in the open air and on the ground. He has
waded through Doggy rice fields in mud and
water from one TO two feet in depth, and
yet he has Ger ainly enjoyed the best of
health.
II is possible. however, that General
Wheeler's activity and abstemious habits
may in a measure account for his good
health. He never drinks and does not
use tobacco. Except when duty has made
II impossible, he has been regular in his
habits. but. be this as it may, while he is
the oldest man in the army, he is very
anu NA6oiOdNs anu IA NV SAPNAiSA
to other officers in endurance, he is GER
tainly equal to the best.
General wheeler as a soldier.
General Wheeler came to the Philip
pines filed with energy, enthusiastic de-
termination, and devotion to the cause.
He came with an experience of four years
OF war, during three of which he success
fully commanded an army corps of caval-
ny, winning renown which placed him
among the great cavalry leaders of the
country. He also brought with him an
experience In Cuba where by his mill
tary knowledge and soldiery qualities, he
had won the approval Of the Government
and the applause of the people OF the
United States: and yet his devotion TO his
country induced him TO make the sacrifice
Of travelling u. 900 miles 10 serve under
officers of one-tenth his experience, and
who were but captains and lieufenants
when he was a distinguished and success
full corps commander All he asked was
the privilege of active service ON the firing
line of the army. At every such opportu-
nifty he was in the foremost rank. Al Santa
Rita, Porac. the various fights at Angeles
from October 10 TO October 90 and at
Bamban he was all that any officer could
be, always seeking the post of honor and
danger.
Officers and soldiers who have witnessed
General Wheeler's methods readily I'M
derstand why he was so successful in the
great war o. a third of a century ago.
Always in front and directing all move
ments from his personal observation, he
took every precaution TO prevent failure
He correctly contended that a general
must know the position and strength of
the enemy and the nature OF the ground
~.-t.G III. 49, - a
to accurately obtain this information he
must personally see both the ground and
the enemy.
Old Methods Improved.
When General Wheeler Joined his bri-
gade he found the old system Of advanced
guards and fankers plodding along in
front of columns as they marched. He or
dered this to cease. In place of lankers
he marched two or three men in front.
followed by column OF files the distance
between each file being from eight to ten
PAGES. With such system In vogue. n an
attack is made by an ambushed enemy TO
the right, the column OF files faces to the
right, and is instantly skirmish line fac
ing the the enemy and either advances
or fires from such shelter as seems best
the action being determined by the
strength OF the attacking enemy. II an
attack Is made TO the left the column of
hles faces TO the left. and thus instantly
is In the most advantageous position TO
repel the enemy.
But General Wheeler did more than this.
Following his old custom, which won him
so much success in years gone by, he in
sisted upon riding either with or In adj
vance Of the leading point or file. BY this
method he increased the speed of his
to
General Wheeler was earnestly remon-
straied with, and assured that 20 ride in
front OF the most advanced soldier would |
result In his being anbusbed, but
he replied that the place where a general !
could best do his duty was in his proper |
position.
That such a course is less dangerous |
than one would suppose is shown by the |
fact that, although General Wheeler has /
ridden in front OF his brigade during near
ly every step of its advance upon the
enemy, and also in advance of every |
one when upon reconnaissance neither
he nor any of his staff have been shot
or hurt, with the exception of one Off |
Ger, who was slightly injured by bulo-
men at Gambling. When he advanced upon
that place General Wheeler rode in the |
lead, and was the FIRST TO enter the Barrio |
Of Barang, from which force Of the
enemy reueaten az ne marched IN. He i
and Lieutenant Cramer and Mr.. Gould, |
Of his stan. were the first TO enter Camil- |
Ing In advance Of the escort, which was /
delayed In crossing a deep swimming la |
COON and an almost impossible marsh. |
he also rode In front Of the scouts at |
sulipa and again in the march and en-
trance 10 San Ignacio. as well as on the
march TO Moriones and thence TO Tarlae. /
All this was through a country infested
with abe men OF General Mahabuio's com
nsnd. who were noted for their skill and
cunning in lying abushed.
Several OF our men had recently been