The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-14
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Original Description of Them by One
Who Speaks From Observation
After an Experience of 10 MOaths
on This "God Forsaken, CannibaI-
Face of Gods Green Earth"

I
The GOLD LEAF is in receipt of the
following unique combination Of
humor, sarcasm, truth and IRONY
about the Philippine Islands, written
by Vance county man doing service
in that far off land as one OF Uncle
Sans boys in blue. The author i.
Mr.. John II. Burwell, a brother Of
MIR. Walter ID. Burwell, OF Henderson.
| For cold irony, cutting sarcasm, and
fine sense of humor his production
stamps him as a writer OF no mean
parts OF the peculiar style affected.
| Mr.. Burwell writes from a familiar
knowledge Of this subject after an e1-
perience Of year and half on the
Islands. He says:
The Philippine Islands are bunch OF
| trouble gathered together on the Western
horizon of civilization. They are bound
ed on the North BY rocks and destruc-
ton; on the East by typhoOns and mon
| soOns; on the South by cannibals and
| earthquakes; on the West by hoodooism
and smugglers. The climate is a com
| bination OF electric changes well adapted
to raising cain. The soil is extraordina-
ny ''i ti't, IA oduSihS lt1I Sst CIOpS vi III
surrections and trickery Theinhabitants
are very Industrious, their chief occupa-
ton being trench building and the manu-
facture of bolos, knives, and reloading
Remington cartridges Their amuse-
/ ments are cock fighting, monte dealing,
thevlng and cheating. Their diet con-
sists OF rice-boiled rice, stewed rice, fried
| rice, cooked rice, and rice. The Filipino
marriage service is Very impressive, espe-
clally the clause wherein the wife is given
the privilege OF working as much as her
husband desires. The beasts of burden
are carabOus; on Il three mile journey
only ten days rations need be taken, but
If the Journey is 100 miles the driver
would die of old age before reaching his
destination. The rivers are serpentne
in course, the current running in opposi-
ton to all known laws of gravitation.
Manila, the capital and principal city, is
situated on Manila Bay, a large land
locked body Of water. full OF filth, sharks
and Spanish submarine boats. Cavite
the next city OF Importance, is noted for
its natural facilities for Il Naval Station,
and for it's large number of saloons and
Cinnamon. The principal exports Of the
Islands are rice, hemp and war bulletins.
The principal imports are American sol
uleTS. arms, aHilntnunltlOD, beer ana
tobacco. Malaria is SO prevalent that
on various occasions the Islands have
been shaken with a chill. Luzon, the
largest of the group, resembles one OF
Cy. Green's east off boots Comnnnrl-
ton has been established between the
numerous Islands by substituting the
mosquito for the carrier pigeon. the
mosquitoes being mucl: larger AID better
able to endure the fatigue of the i}uruey.
The native costume consists Of flour
sack tied around the waist. Children
twelve years OF age wait till the next
year for their clothes The towns are an
aggregation of shacks built of bamboo
and full OF filth, fl as, cur dogS, cats,
horses. chickens; pigs, flies, bcd-bugs and
lice. The family all sleep on terms OF
equality. The native drink is bno, |
concentrated tarantula poison. cactus
juice, barbed wire and forked lightning.
The Philippiness all appropriated present
Tor deadly enemy. The natives are |
friends at the point of gun The elm
ate, pleasant and heaIthful for reaches,
tarantuas, ailigators scorpions, cent? |
pedes and snakes. The soil, adapted to |
raising foul odors and diseases. The |
Islands, a God forsaken, cannbaliz-d, ,
AguinaIdo-infested blot on the face OF |
Gods Orpor oartb