Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-04
Seventh District CONGRESSMAN
Arrives Home From His Vis-
II to Philippines.
Talks Interestingly Of the II.
lands and Conditions Pre-
vailinf ON Them.
He will Remain at Des Moines
Until Congress Meets Next
December.

a. =. 1AuAA, accompanied ny ATs. 'duH
and their daughter Miss Annette, ar
rived in the city last evening at $3.50
over the Rock Island, having returned
from trip of five months to the Philip
pines and Japan.
Captain Hull and the members Of his |
family returned In the best OF health.
They enjoyed the trip abroad to the ut
most finding 1t interesting and instruc-
tive in the extreme. Captain Hull will
remain in Des Molnes from now ON until
the time for congress to meet, IN De-
cember.
Captain Hull was seen at the Slavery
last evening shortly after his return. He
talked freely concerning the Philippines
and incidentally asked numerous ques.
tions on affairs at home, saying he had
been largely out Of touch with the pro-
gress of Iowa events.
II did not suffer from the effects OF
the climate" said Captain Hull. THE
climate do not consider bad. unless as
the boys in the army say, one has to
hike OF course II a person is out of
doors and exposed to the sun and rain,
1t is severe.
II visited Manila and made trip thru
the southern islands. Leyte it was not
possible to visit, as the insurgents there
are in control. was with General Chat
fee when he made his tour of inspection
following his taking command Of the
army and had the opportunity to seee
much OF the actual conditions 1t has
been charged that went to the Philip
pines in the interest of my own business
affairs. AS a matter Of fact, / gave no
attention to them, not 30 much as 4
would like to have given, simply be-
cause did not want to place myself in
the way Of criticism. saw the condt-
tions at the different military posts and
visited and talked with the officers of
the civil administration in various parts
of the islands. had stenographer
with me and took stenographic reports
OF statements received from various
quarters bearing on the situation in the
islands believe the facts have gath
cred in this way will prove of inesti-
mable value in my return to Washing
ton Indeed, / think every member Of
congress should take a trip to the
islands. It is simply impossible TO un-
derstand them unless one does go and
see with his own eyes the conditions as
they exist,
/ Captain Hull talked at length con-
corning the wealth OF the islands. He
depressed the belief that the Americans
had no alternative but to remain there
and retain possession and work out the
problems incident to possession.
"The soil of the islands," he said. "is
rich in the extreme. There is no doubt
| of the existence OF valuable mineral
wealth. Copper, coal and gold are
among the minerals. Old miners have
assured me of the existence Of valuable
placer mines in the interior of Min.
dinao and other islands. The timber
found there is another valuable re-
source. In Negroes there are the richest
sugar regions in the world. In many
parts Of the islands corn can be grown
1 to advantage, tho corn Is not a staple
product, rice being much more extern
sively cultivated.
"The population of the Islands has
been variously given at from 5000. 900 to
10, O0O 900 people. AS matter Of fact,
lit is doubtful II the population will
lsreach that. statistician from Cali
fornia who has been gathering the
facts very carefully was on the same
boat with me going to Japan. He COM
Iputed the poulation at little less than
1000, 900.
| Ibid you penetrate into the interior
OF Mindanao and other southern islands
OF which the interior is little known"
1--WE did not go into the interior of
Mindanao to any great extent. While
| the interior of this is largely unex-
plored the natives in this island are as
peaceful as anywhere in the group.
/ You know, there is a fringe of Filipinos
around the coast. In the interior are
the Moros The two are deadly enemies
and as matter of fact the government
will have to protect the Filipinos from
| the Moros or they will be driven out. A
Moro looks to me like Comanche In
dian. The Moros are friendly to the
| United States and on this account ex-
ploration of the interior will not be
difficult The interior is timbered, like
4 the interiorof all islands. The Moros
claim to have fortified stronghold in
the Interior where 100000 people are To-
cated. This Is probably an exaggera-
ton"
what did you find as to the system
OF transportation of the government"
II believe there can be savings ef-
fected in the transportation system. 1
lconsider there are several ways in
which savings can be made.
"As to the army, there are now up
wards Of 10000 men there. do not
think the number Of troops should be
made less than 10000 for some years to
come. We went to no point on the is
land where the civil government said 1t
could spare any Of the soldiers. The
heath Of the troops is good. was in
formed OF: many cases where troops,
whose time had expired, were trying to
exchange places with those that want
ed. to come home. On the other hand,
many Of the soldiers want to get back.
I attribute much of ti1ft desire to re-
turn to homesickness. After soldier
has been in the island for elk months
or longer he is generally DESTROYS of re-
naming. Many Of the soldiers go into
business The trouble 10 that It is diff
cult for person to set himself up in
any business that will be successful
that will admit of being tarted with
limited capital. The metropolitan po-
lice force, consisting Of 800 men, has
given employment 10 many OF the dis
charged soldiers This police force is
the finest body OF men have ever seen
anywhere. The nativess have been ueed
Il ~, hoiuc, i'm noaad an nv ~, . !, a tive M.