The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-12
SAW SERVICE IN MANILA
MAURICE j. sCANLAN GIVES SOME
FACTS ABOUT THE ISLANDS.
He Went with the First California
volunteers-Descript OF the
Island of Negros.

Maurice ]. Scanlan, who was with one
of the first regiments of infantry sent
to the assistance of Admiral Dewey after
the fight in Manila bay, is staying at
the home Of his father. ]. L. Seaman,
on St. Clair street. this city. Young Scan
Ian was living in California when the call
came for troops to fight in the war with
Spain, and he enlisted in San Francisco
with the First California Volunteers.
This regiment was sent to the Philip
pines in the transport City Of Peking ar
irving at Cavite on June 8, following the
fight in the bay. Seaman says his regi-
ment was the first to land. The men who
went over in the City Of Picking carried
news of the happenings in this country,
through the medium of letters and news
papers, and they were warmly welcomed
by Dewey's men. Seaman, with the First
California Regiment, took part in the
fight for possession Of the city Of Manila
The young man spent most of his time
while in the Philippines on the Island OF
Negros, which, he says, is exceedingly rich
in vegetation. The soil is particularly
adapted to sugar growing and Is covered
with rich sugar plantations. Seaman says
there are rare opportunities for hustling
Americans on this island and he Is not
sure but what he may some day return
there himself. He says that had not al
fairs been in a most unsettled condltion
when he left he would have remained there
indefinitely. The Island of Negros, ne says,
is little larger than the State or OHIO:
1t is about three hundred miles south or
Manila. A range of mountains extends
through the center of the island from one
end to the other. On each side the land
has a gradual descent to the sea. Seaman
says Negros is the largest sugar pro-
ducing island in the Philippine group. The
sugar plantations are mostly owned by
Spaniards and they comprise IRON three
hundred to four hundred acres. He says
he knew of a man being offered half
interest in plantation Of about go acres
for $1,000 American money.
Seaman speaks interestingly or the city
of Manila, where he spent some time.
He relates a story CT having been enter
tanned most lavishly by Spanish colonel
who owned a handsome residence In Ma
Mia. Seaman and several other soldiers
who had been doing guard duty about
the coloners property were invited to take
dinner with him and his son. His wife
and daughters had been sent away 10
Spain. The dinner was distinctly Spanish,
but It was enjoyed by the Americans. The
house was most deliberately furnished and
everything indicated wealth and refine
ment. Seaman was introduced to num-
Ter of refined and educated Spanish girls,
with whom he was able to talk a little,
having learned some Spanish words. he
says that in many of the Spanish MONIES
there are piaros and the daughters CT the
households know how to play them.
Wherever a Spanish girl is asked to play
for an American she contributes After
the Ball.
Seaman left the Philippines In July,
reaching San Francisco on Aug. %. He will
probably remain here with his people. He
carried with him a pocket camera all the
time he was gone and succeeded in get
ting q great many interesting views. From
a photographer III Manila he purchased a
plate from which he has printed num-
Der of excellent likenesses OF Aguinaldo.
He also brought back with him a Mauser
rifle, which he took from a dead Filipino
soldier just after battle.