Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-02
Interesting Communication From
Capt. Frank w. Eckers.
A FEW PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS.
Natives Are Beginning to Realize That
the Soldiers Are Their Friends
Insureent Leaders Given Moral Sup.
port by Certain Americans.


captain of the Thirty-second
regiment United States infantry. The
letter was written at Dinalupijan, Ba-
toon, Philippine Islands, August IS.
1t is not descriptive of the country,
but rather an instructive sketch of the
people, their advancement in ciyiliza-
ton, the prospect of further advance
ment and the outlook for things in
general in the Islands. The action of
the democratic party has been and is
the only hope Of the insurgents. Capt
Eckers says the health of the soldiers
is excellent, and as to himself he says
the condition of his health was never
better. The service is much more sat-
isfactory than it was in 1898.
Capt. Eckers says that he presumes
that most of the boys will be ready to
return to civil life in another year,and
as to himself adds: Probably by
that time will be ready to come back
to the best city in Iowa"
Capt. Eckers' letter follows:
"Dinalupijan, Batoon, P. l.,
august IS. 1900.
Editor Courier: When / promised
to write to you from the Philippines l
ihSOhuOu W WllIC az lCd0I IWO vi LhlSO
letters during my two years of service;
as little over one-half of the two
years has already passed, and, as l
haven't yet begun to fulfill my promise
l have decided to begin before it is too
late.
II will not attempt to give you a
general description of the islands, as
the newspapers, thru their excellent
correspondents, have exhausted the
subject. They have probably printed
everything of interest that l might,
write, but will at least give you a
few personal impressions.
"When we landed in Manila, last Oc-
tober, it looked like big undertaking
to capture and occupy such vast
amount of territory. At that time our
army held only Manila and the terrific
ry within radius of fifteen miles, and
the railroad north for about fifty
miles-to Angeles. AS was the case
with a great many people in the
States, who were roasting Gen. Otis,
we had not stopped to think how few
troops he had to work with after the
state volunteers went home. He could
take all the territory he wished but
he did not have the troops with which
to garrison it.
But the arrival of the new volun-
teers was the signal for an advance
which. was begun even before the rainy
season was overy The Thirty-second
was sent to Angeles, from which Mac
Arthur was to advance along the line
of the railroad, and we confidently ex
pected to be part of his force But
we were left to hold Angeles and the
railroad, and were consequently very
much disappointed. However, we still
had some hope of getting into it,
little later.
''But Lawton's memorable march
north fran San Isidro, MacArthur's adj
vance along the railroad, and Wheat
on's expedition from Lingayan were
executed with such dash and energy
that before we had time to compre
bend it, the insurgent army was scat
tered, and all our hopes of winning
glory on the field of battle were
crushed.
1--WE had arrived just too late to
too soon to take part in the one south
Immediately.
1--WE were sent to occupy the towns
just taken and as soon as the natives
had returned to institute temporary
civil governments. AS soon as the
people were convinced that we were
their friends they came back to their
homes and resumed their usual occu-
pations. Town governments were
started Immediately, or at least after
a few days, as some were suspicious
of us and others were afraid that we
might be moved away, in which event,
they would surely be killed if they had
in any way helped the Americans.
This same fear still works against us
and many good man would be will
ing to help us if he thought there was
no likelihood of the troops leaving.
Our local president (mayorl has ar
rangements all made to move to Ma
Mia as soon as the presidential cleo
ton is over, as he says he saw in a
newspaper that Bryan was sure to be
elected, and would Immediately bring
all the troops home. Before the
towns were garrisoned the people were
told by the insurrectos that the Amer
leans would kill all the women and
children and make slaves of the men,
anu tnSy WOiO Acbe0AaAiJ ouoPASASo9'
When they were told that they were
expected to elect their own officers,
and make their own laws, they could
hardly be convinced that it was not
some trick.
But gradually we have been gaining
the confidence of the best people, and
they are beginning to realize that we
are working for their good. In most
towns their municipal governments
are fairly we'll organized, considering
the circumstances. They are natural
ly bright and willing to learn, but, in
my opinion, they are far from being
able to govern themselves. Further
more do not think the mass of the
people with the possible exception of
few Tagalos in and around Manila)
want an independent government.
"The best people prefer the United
States government, and a great many
with whom have talked, have told
me so. They say that if the United
| cta+ae ebou]d withdraw entirely from