Mesa free press. [volume] (Mesa, Ariz.) 1892-1901, 1900-12-21
FROM FAR AWAY.


DEAR s1R--I thought { would write
you few lines and give you 9 few
facts about our new possessions.
The two northwest provinces of
Luzon, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur
should interest every person who is
making a study of self-government for
the Filipinos. Those two provinces
came under American control during
the campaign of Decemker, 1899
The natives welcomed the coming of
the American troops with show of
great cordiality. The Americans inn
smediately organized civil govern
mont for the provinces, and native
governors and presidents, assisted by
other necessary officials, were ap-
pointed. Native police forces were
armed with surrendered Bennington
rifles, were organized in all the towns,
and for the protection of the people at
large two companies of native scouts
officered by Americans and paid by
the government, were organized and
armed with Krag Jorgenson rifles, one
company at Vigan and the other at
Laoag. Thus under these circum-
stances the natives have had every
opportunity to become conversant
with the workings of good self-gov-
ernment.
How have they repaid the govern
ment for giving them this splendid
opportunity of showing their capa-
hility Of governing themselves Today
these two provinces can muster a
thousand armed insurgents and tuous-
ands Of bolo, men who are waiting for
rifles. They have spy service that
cannot be excelled. An American
cannot leaAe town with
out some one informing the enemy of
their destination and probable inten-
tions. Many natives living under
American protection are joining the
Katipunians, a secret society hostile
to the Americans, and are doing every
thing within their power to aid the
insurrection. It is said that out of
twenty local presidents nineteen have
been found to be favoring the insur-
rection with information or by selling
them supplies. It is an almost daily
occurrence for detachments with pro-
visions or mail to be fred on. The
soldiers scout the country continually,
but seldom find any insurgents. Gen.
Tinlo is the man who is manipulating
the "Rising SUM- government in these
provinces, and thus far he has dis
played great ability in annoying the
American troops in every conceivable
way and in hiding when pursued by
the soldiers.
One bright morning Tinio attacked
Batao, but after several hours of hard
fighting he was driven back to the
mountains. This attack was a great
deal like the attack on Laoag, when
the insurgents were going to drive the
Americans into the sea. The insur--
gents were so confident of success that
they brought large number OF on
carts which were to carry away the
American ordinance and commissaries,
and each insurgent was spurred to the
utmost by the thought of the big
cavalry horse that he should possess
in the morning. The attack began
about 5 o'clock p m, and by IL all that
were able had fled and the carts were
converted into ambulances, The next
day the prisoner buried sixty black
bodies.
In O. recent engagement with the
insurgents near Cabogas two men be-
longing to K Troop, Third Cavalry
were captured and Kept as prisoners
A few days ago they escaped and
passed through here (San Miguel
yesterday The boys lyons and
Scott) were guarded by corporal and
three men, one man staying awake
while the others were sleeping abound
them. The sentinel guarding the