The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-07-26
4 FRIEND OF THE FItIPtNos'
Capt. Frank Greer Talks Enter.
fainingIy ofthe Country.
~ (Spartanburg H,P,ld.D

tainineIy oftI,e Country.
r. (Spartauburg H'r,ld.)
Capt. Frank w. Greer, formally
Captain OF the Moore Guards q
Pacolet, but later of the U. S.Army,
20. +, 42d Rsgt., has just returned
from Manila. He left on May 90
.nd landed in San Francisco June %.
He arrived at Pacolet July 4th. Capt.
Greer talks entertainingly of tho
Philippines and Fliipinoes. He was in
the city yesterday and closed q con-
tract to travel in the interest of Tho
Herald.
Il was on the i land of Luzon II
months, was engaged in = number of
skirmlshes, two of which l got credit
for on my discharge. In these nv
Captain WAS wounded and Corporal
Henry Hart was killed. The island
is YER, fertile and Nj nila is a be.uti-
tul city and healthy enough after you
become clinatized. 1 found plenty of
English but few Americans outside
If the army The chances for max
ing money there are good.
"The Filipinos, the Tagalog tribe,
are intelligent and capable of develop
.nent. The IIlocanons and Minon-
lions are shiftle,s class, the Same %
our. Negroes and Indians. Through
the prejudice they had for the Tss-
alogs they we're friendly to the Ameri-
cans aud while the Americans were
at, their back they would fight, but
we're towards otherwise. Tho Tag
alogs were brave but overpowered BY
American troops 65, 1000 to their 3O.-
900. We could net accomplish in
lS months what Aguinaldo did in "a
hours. After marching II months
fighting the Fllipinos, l ana clearly
Of the opinion that they ought to be
a free and independent people. The
American people will come to this
conclusion sooner or later. These
people are quick to perceive, deeply
religious and patriotic to the back
done. Illustrating their patriotism,
on Feb. 22nd, Washington's birth.
day. they placed a portrait of Wssh-
ington and Aguinaldo side by side,
and in every town throughout tho
island of Luzon the white flag, the
emblem of peace, was hung on tho
door. They have been taught for
100 years to honor the father of
American independence. Aguinaldo
is believed to be the George Wash
'ngton of the Philippines. They love
hun, from the cradle to the grave,
and would fight to the death at his
command.
1.-The government as it is today is
distinctly a carpet bag government
similar IN all material respects to that
which existed in South Carolina IN
reconstruction times.
1.-The chief products are rice, corn,
potatoes, tobacco and tropical fruits.
Hemp grows on the hills. 1t is .
good place for civilian, but no place
for a soldier. The islands are
pa cited now except small band of
outlaws in the mountains. These are
gradually coming in. The people
are not going to be satisfied with
American rule. There will he an in
surrection inside of two years headed
by Aguinaldo indirectly.
I'VE left with 1O6 men and came
back with 60, one death from bullets
and the others from dysentery. Had
the American soldiers received tho
rAtions allotted, the mortality wonld
not have been so great. The natives
are appreciative and generous to q
degree. They are strictly honest and
frequently warned the Americans
against attacks of insurrectionists.
"There are IS different languages
and the people Of one province as
close as Spartanburg and Union
connties can not understand each
other"
Capt Greer has delivered several
lectures and spake to the Odd
Fellows at Pacolet on Saturday even
ing. He talks entertainingly Of tho
people and the country, and is Of the
| opinion that every shot that was fired
by the Americans was unjust.