Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-10-24
Letter From the Philippines.

proluse vegetable CROWN, ABOVE Which
cleaned radiantly in perpetual sunlight,
a towering mountain, which reminds
one of the unfnished work of some
giant architect, who had planned more
than he could execute.
As we travelled along the Calamba
river, a gradual incline was noticeable,
and after four hours Of uncomfortable
riding in native carromatta, drawn by
two native ponies, we arrived at Lipa
in Batangas provinces, known as the
wealthier district in Luzon As we
drove up the main street, Gale Real,
we passed several fine carriages with
the best Of livery, out for drive along
the river banks
+ The altitude is several thousand feet
above that of Manila, undulating be-
tween four and five thousand feet above
the restless China sea until on the
westward border the high plateaus
break rapidly down to an elevation OF
less than 800 feet at the valley OF broad
and capricious stream that flows
through stretch of rich alluvial coffee
land, With barren rock spires rising
against the sky. The stream is the
Lipa river, wayward, possessed of
terrific energies when the mood is on.
1t has chiseled canyon several hundred
feet deep far TO the north and south,
and now resllessly saunters onward to
the treacherous China sea, visible in The
distance.
Lipa has population at present, Of
20 900 souls and during the Spanish
time, it was estimated to have 10000.
The city is picturesquely located on the
mountain side, full OF color and the air
has u pure transparency that lends
depth and distance to the view, 1t is
here forget all my cares, and cit dur
ing the delightful evenings, thinking oI
my boy hood days when at home. The
temperature is the same as we find in
the mountains at home during August
and September.
Lipa is second in Importance on The
island OF Luzon and during the Spanish
reign was considered fashionable sum
mer resort for the opulent class from
Manila. Many Of the dwellings are
grand beyond description, elegantly fur
nished with hand carved furniture, with
large plate mirrors set into the wall, and
the borders of the rooms finished With
rosewo ood.
This evening as | passed along the
street, every balcony was filed with
native ladies sitting in the twilight
dressed in their attractive garb, and the
weird, foreign cries of the street ven.
ders "Selvala DulceW 81 vende dulce
"Aqua de cocoa, mucho iresco l'' Fol-
a hundred years, yes, for two hundred
years, have their voices filled the eve
ming and pleaded for patronage from
some fair buyer on the balconies above
where idly the native bellies while
away the ytning in laughter, and cas-
longing eyes at the gay caballeros prone
nading beneath. A generation henc,
and all this will have passed away, anC
in the dying, new, strong nation viii
have arisen, the old charming pictuf,
gone, and new one OF smoking trains
burning trolleys, binding lights, anC
milk men IN wagons and huckster
with one-horse carts who cry, Fish
Fish,"
As to the character Of the averag,
Filipino it can be 5um med up in three
words, thief liar, and deceiyer. FRS
your impression as to their honesty car
be confirmed by leaving any thing loos,
lying around, from a heavy winter over
coat to q ships anchor, and such aricle
that no one could use in the Philippines
and any native in sight will TAX,
great pleasure in dispelling any falls,
impression that honesty is natiy,
virtue.
Next you notice he is dirty IN hi
habits, but fairly clean in person, hr
will lie without any apparent cauRl
when he knows the truth would b.
better He is treacherous. lying
cowardly, theyinF, worthless hall
breed mongrel born Of mongrel spawI
Of Asia crossed upon fitchs OF darkes
India. lie is no more capable Of sci
government than the llottcntot8 WIN
roam the widest regions Of the south
he has no original ideas Of his own, al
he thinks Of IS how he can rob hi
fellow man, be can not be trusted lik
the American Indian, nor viii he vor
like the Negro, and again he will no
fight, but, he will lie like a casUlleor
with polished suayi.y, and bolo you il
the dark with all the dexiehty OF
goncher.
Providence has reserved a iairer iutur.
for these wealthy islands than 10 has,
them governed by this herd Of igno
rant people,
The Filipino is easily Influenced au,
( when under the influence OF American
energy and capital governed by a frn
and dednale policy, it will blossom a
the rose, and in the course Of two O
three generations more the Filipinol
may be brought 10 appreciate IL
virtues Of cleanliness, industry an,
honesty.
One can not cross this island wiihou
gaming new idea Of the immens
historical significance Of the wes,war
yearning 0! the Saxon, who in two an
half centuries has marched iron
Plymouth Rock to the far east, and ha
subordinaied every people in his pat
IRON shore " shore.
G. 3. PERgNs.