Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-17
PROSPECTING IN LUZON
ENCOURAGING REPORTS REGARDING
THE NORTHERN DISTRICTS.
Excellent Prospects for the Develop
ment of Rich Mineral Deposits
Gold and other Metals.

Encouraging reports have reached the
War Department regarding the condition
of affairs in northern LuZon. A party of
prospectors who recently returned to
Manila from visit to Apart and the sur
rounding country reported that they found
the natives very kindly disposed toward
Americans, and that there were excellent
prospects for the developments of rich
mineral deposits in the province of Caga-
yam. particularly in the mountain regions
to the west and northwest of APART. The
party went seventy miles up the Cagayan
river to a place called Tuguegarao, where
they remained for some time, examining
deposits which had been formerly worked
by the natives. The two Americans. en-
tireiy unprotected, had no trouble with the
natives at first, and were received with
many courteses. The conditions soon
changed. however. and the demonstrations
of the people became so hostile that the
prospectors found it prudent to return to
the protection of an American garrison.
Subsequently affairs again quoted down
and another party went into the interior
in search of gold. This party consisted of
ably the most careful search for minerals
that has ever been conducted through
northern LuZon. They travelled fifty miles
to the south. at easy stages. to the town
of Abuluy. and as the country in the sec
ton gave little evidence of mineral wealth
crossed to the beautiful barrio of Plat, sit
uated on the little Cagayan river. From
here they cut loose from every sign of
civilization. going straight into the heart
of the mountains to the west. Towering
thousands of feet. until the fading tops are
lost in the clouds and mist above. the
peaks of the mountain range stand SEN
tinels above the beautiful valley of the
Casayan. Hail storms and sleet We're en-
countered several different times by the
prospcctors while exploring the canyons
and cliffs of the higher ranges. Camp fires
and wooden blankets We're very essential
during the cold nights Several places
We're located where the outcroppngs of
numerous lodges We're rich enough to in
vite an early return. Numerous deposits
of coal We're found but very poor in quail
ity- Specimens of copper ore and a few
rich pieces beariNG the native article We're
brought down by ~ returning prospectors
returned to APART and refitted for another
expedition to the northwest across the
everglades, which cover large portion of
the lower delta Of the Cagayan. The
Guilty to Pamplona. where they remained
but short time. They returned by diff
ferent route. and again succeeded in find
ing traces of rich minerals
1t was reported that food was becoming
very scarce and that a famine was threat
cned. The miners report that the natives
have plenty of money, more of it. in fact.
than there is food. The ladrones are
slowly but surely being cleaned out of the
country Very few of the inhabitants are
in sympathy with the thieves. Several
parties OF head hunters were encountered.
hut they fled at the near approach of the
Americans. All the miners signified their
intention to return to the scene of their
operations. Their existence in the north
has been much more favorable than that
OF any other parties who have yet attempt
ed to penetrate in search of gold and other
minerals.