The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-22
MUST BE HELD.
Views of Canadian-Born Soldier on
the Philippines.

Views of Canadian Born Soldier on
the Philippines.
The Toronto Globe prints a letter
from a Canadian-born private soldier
in the American army in the Philip
pines which gives in few words clear
idea of some main facts about that
country. For example:
The average Filipino has no am
btion and cares very little whether
the Spaniards or the Americans gov
ern his country: as long as he can
obtain his living he is satisfied. The
Filipinos who are still holding out
against our government are, in the
case of the officers, men who believe
that if the Americans are to rule this
country they will never be able to
hold any public Office and line their
pockets at the expense of the poorer
classes. The rank and file are still
holding out simply because they love
the life. Nothing suits them better
than this wild, uncertain life. and they
flock around the disorganized army of
the insurgents not so much because
they care who governs their country.
as because they love this mode of
living.
These islands are exceedingly
wealthy and will prove to be an excel
lent country for any enterprisinE
young man who has few hundred dol
lars, and who Is willing to endure the
hardshps of this country. Tobacco
hourishes in almost every part of these
islands. The cocoa tree is found in
many districts, and it is of the hest
quality. Sugar cane plantations are to
he seen everywhere. and the juice Is
very refreshing il taken in small guam
titles. Rice grows everywhere, and
forms the staple food of the Filipinos.
The hemp industry is one of the largest
of it's kind in the world, and is one
of the best paying industries on the
island, The cocoanut Is cultivated to
large extent, and the oil is used
throughout the whole archipelago for
lighting and for cooking when it is
fresh. Coffee growing is as vet in its
infancy. but it has been proven that
the plant thrives well and produces
one crop annually of the best quality.
Fruits Of nearly every description
grow in the different islands, and in
food of the Filipino.
orally tropical but, owing to the eX-
tent of the country and it's position. q
very wide range of temperature and
local conditions Is TO be observed. The
seasons may be classed into three
hot, cool and wet. The first begins
about March LIST and lasts until the
end of June The second begins in No-
vamber and ends in February, The
temperature is then delightful. the air
halmy and springlike, with northerly
winds, clear sky and a bracing at
mosphere. The latter season begins in
July and ends in October. during the
greater part of which time it rains.
The natives live for the most part
in small huts built of bamboo ana
thatched With nipa grass or palm
leaves. They are built about five or
six feet from the ground on posts, and
look like a good-szed bird cage. Ths
better class have frame houses, with
corrugated iron roofs, With n small
pagoda in front. These houses are sell
dom more than two stories high, and
the lower story is generally used for
the animals and storchouse Beds are
luxury ard are made of bamboo. and
in some OF the finer houses old-fash-
ioned four~posters may he seen, made
of mahogany. with cane bottoms. The
natives in general sleep on piece of
mating that is spread on the hoor
at night and carefully rolled up in the
daytime. Finally, it may he said that
in spite of all the talk by those who
oppose the United States policy in