Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
DELUsIoNs ABOUT PHILIPPINES.
Some of Them DispeIled by n Return
ed Georgia Army Omcer.


Some of Them DispeIIed by n Return
ed Georgia Army Omcer.
From the Macon Telegraph.
Lieut.. Walter Corbett, who has just re-
turned from service in the 30th Infantry,
United States Volunteers I'm the Philippine
Islands. talked entertainingly with Tele-
graph reporter about affairs in the islands
and how they were being handled by those
In authority. He spoke. too, from a thor
ough knowledge of the subject. He was first
lieutenant and commssary OF his regiment.
for some time was brigade commisssry OF
subsistence under Gen. Schwann, and as
captain and quartermaster OF the transport
Francisco Reyes visited nearly every sta
ton OF Importance in the islands. He said,
in part:
"Aguinaldo is not given a thought The
officials are too busy to concern themselves
with him. All organized opposition has
ceased, and thousands upon thousands OF
natives are taking the oath OF allegiance.
The immense trenches which were built by
the F'iiipinos all over the islands are no
longer defended. and the war-if war II be-
is carried on by bushwhackers and guerril-
las. The Americans are devoting all their
time and every energy they possess to give
the natives a good government. and the
scattered bands Of insurgents give them lit
tie concern.
Right here / want to say something
about the men who have been sent over
there by the government. Every man
of them has but one thought. and that
is the performance OF his duty. 1t is
simply beautiful to see their devotion
to duty and principle. IL the Amer
lean people only knew what their represen-
tatives were doing their hearts would fill
with just pride. The commission OF which
Judge Taft is the head Is the best selection
that could have been made. They have
gained the admiration. confidence and
hearty cooperation OF the better class OF
Filipinos. and by their justice and fairness
have done a world of good. They do not
ruthlessly break down old customs. and In
any matter affecting the natives rights in
variably send out to every province inviting
the representative natives to attend the
meetings of the commission and express
their ideas and views before enacting
law.
Does any sectional or political feeling
exist between the officers of different sec
tons and parties OF our country"
THAT is another good which has been ac-
complished. l repeat that all alike from the
private to the military governor are working
to one end. with only one aim. and that Is
the establishment OF such a government as
will reflect great credit upon our country
The man from Georgia works shoulder to
shoulder with the man from Maine. Sec
lions and parties are forgotten In the united
effort to make honored and loved the flag
Of our country.
ANY honest investment is safe In the
Philippines and much capital will go there.
The hardwood forests are the finest In the
world. / have eaten a meal from ma
hogany table four feet wide and six feet
long, made from a solid plank The hemp
industry is immense. The shipping ana
cocoanut interests VIII bring millions to IN
yestors. The finest cocoanuts in the world
are grown there. The natives have a crude
process of getting oil from the cocoanut-
This oil is used as lubricant and for illu-
minating purposes. Millions OF them are
exported.
How about ice?"
1.-The natives love ice and often will do
without meal in order to get IL. The
quartermaster and medical departments
have built ice factories and refrigerators at
all important stations. What are known
as base hospitals are established at these
stations and patients requiring ice baths,
etc, can receive proper treatment These
hospitals are another source OF good
friendship between natives and Americans
1t is a common thing to see surgeon or
some fair American girl patiently attend
ing the wants Of some native stricken with
a loathsome disease. The ice baths re-
ferred to have saved hundreds of lives. IL
is beautiful TO see the confidence with
which the natives put themselves into the
hands of our hospital corps and the care
and treatment they receive. The natives
have learned to regard us as friends and
protectors and the Insignificant few who
still carry on their guerrilla warfare are
looked upon with distrust. Many Of the
newest designs of firearms have been cap
been able to find out where the got them,
but our navy Is working hand IN hand
with the army and together they VIII
soon put a stop to the smuggling OF arms
and ammunition and the brigand element
will be suppressed.
"How are the houses In the interior
built?"
.They are built of bamboo only one story
high The bamboo. which grows from the
size of a pencil to that of a stovepipe. In
split in about three pieces and Tapped some
thing in the manner of our weather board
ing. This answers for walls. roofs and
floor, the roof being covered with nipa, a
portion of the top of the cocoanut tree. and
resembling palm leaf fan: The bamboo
bamboo fagpole at my station Lucenp Ii
103 feet high
How do the men and horses stand the
'.Splendidly One delusion has been dis
PEELED. and that IL In regard to the rainy
seasons. We all thought nothing could be
done during this season. but we soon iearn-
ed that we could stand the rain much bet
ter than we could the hot tropical sun
have seen men march all day long In the
rain and lie down at night In a muudy rice
field without catching cold. Each man be-
fore lying down would take of his army
shirt. which is worn next to the skin: and
and there would be no question OF sickness.
las for the horses. they do as well as
they do here and can be kept at much less
expense. The food is pail. Pail Is simply
unhulled rice. and a horse or mule viii
grow fat on ten or twelve pounds of II a
day. Ny American horse ate nothing else
for six months, but did not lose a pound.
They thrive on II better than the native
pony, which cannot eat the pail alone. but
requires a mixture Of molasses to go with It
1.-THE food of soldiers? Unexcelled- II
could not be better. The whole time I was
In the islands did not hear q single COM
plaint. The relrigerators have mentioned
provide the men with fresh meat and the
commissary department sees that the best
hat can be obtained OF everything eatable
s theirs. II II q mistake to judge the Fiji
pino by the few wild tribes and insurgents
)ne hears Of in the states. The native you
q eet in the cities and towns b. q rule, q
cultured gentleman have been q Guest
n a native family where twelve or thirteen
,ourse dinners were served. and every ueli-
,acy was had"
William Jackson today pleaded guilty In
the Police Court OF the larceny Of soms
harness valued 1t - from Philip Nay.
The penalty impoeed By JuogH Scott va