Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-18
RAVAGES OF CHOLERA
CUTTING A WIDE SWATH ON IS
LAND OF sAMAR.
Few Americans Are Victims of the
Disease-Desertions From the
Army.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
GUINAN, Samar, p. L., August IL. 1902.
Cholera. the scourge of the east is now
cutting a swath in this section of Samar
One week ago the first case was reported to
the commanding officer. The number OF
cases to date is seventeen. of which only
one lived. 1t is almost sure death II the
germ gets into the bowels. Every thing is
being done to keep the disease down, and
il the Americans take good care Of them
selves there is not any great danger. The
germ is taken in through the mouth in
eating or drinking, so we do not eat any
thing unless 1t has been thoroughly cooked.
The water Is first boiled twenty minutes
over a fire and is then run through ster-
i!zer.
From what l can learn there have been
only two deaths from cholera among Amer
leans on all the islands, which is remark
able when 1t Is considered the large number
OF deaths among the natives.
The natives here are helplessly going
about their work, expecting any hour to
be attacked. They huddle in groups and
talk of nothing but cholera. They are try
ing to be careful of their diet, but they
have not got a CommiSary to draw provl-
sions and must subsist on native products,
from which the disease Is contracted. One
family parents and three children, were
buried together.
The dead are not allowed to be buried in
the cemetery, nor are they granted the
priests blessing, which is something the
people cannot understand, as it Is firmly
rooted into them that without these cere-
monies it is impossible to go to heaven.
The priests lose considerable by this, as
deaths and marriages are their main source
of revenue. A young lady told me that about
eight years ago, when the smallpox swept
this island, the people of this town died off
like crickets, and as the padre blessed them
all he made high thousand dollars
day.
This morning we thought the cholera had
died out, there was not a case In town
We have just received news of two deaths
this afternoon. and the gloom has settled
on the town again. The church has been
crowded all day with frightened women All
last night they sang and prayed in many
houses to drive the cholera away, and now
as L write l hear their mournful voices
calling on the Almighty to relieve them in
their distress.
Experience With Deserters.
1t has been the custom that when a regi-
ment Is ordered to he states" all the long
time men transferred to other regi-
ments which have not been very long here
This rule Is not always carried out: instead
they transfer all the toughs and guard
house buns This command recently re-
ceived one of these consignments. Eight
of the twenty-five men were serving
tence. and at once took up quarters in the
mill In very few days more followed
and out of the entire lot there are probably
half dozen men who intend to serve HON
orabIy.
One Of the prisoners was a tough propo-
sition" Upon being searched two revolvers
were found upon him. After being here ten
days he refused to work, together with his
'bunkie,' and they were given solitary con-
finement on bread and water. Special quar-
tiers were made for them, with a heavy
chain and lock.
The tough" broke the chain the first
night and got away without the guard see
ing him. He took his blanket with him,
and we have heard that he also had a re-
volver. but where he got 1t Is a mystery
1t was thought he would return by morn
ing, as this Is not a hospttable country for
deserter; and where can they go on one
of these islands? He went nevertheless
and is still gone.
He called on the commanding officer of
Salcedo. where there is company of Phil.
ippne scouts, and told quite a story of
being an American in search Of a business
proposition. Salcedo Is only thirteen miles
from here. The lietenant partly believed
man was gone the officer felt that he had
done wrong, and tried to intercept the pc
destrian. but 1t was too late.
The same day three other Americans
called on the lieutenant. stating they were
In search of business chances This in the
wilds of Samar will cause suspicion. so
when the men were gone he sent messen-
gers here with the information. Later on
he was notified to hold these four men.
as they were no doubt deserters or escaped
convicts. Several parties were sent out
without success
During the Instruction on this island 1t
was stated that Lukban was willing to
surrender. but that he was held from doing
so by the American deserters in the ranks.
In one Of his propositions to Gen. Smith
he expressly requested favorable terms for
these ours, which were, Of course, not
granted.
I was always under the impression that
there were at least a dozen with Lukban,
which included several negroes. Thsre was
not a single one surrendered so the men
now tramping In this section are no doubt
deserters.
Last evening about dusk a heavy-bearded
white man was seen on one of the back
streets but when noticed by a soldier took
to his heels. Four parties went out In diff
ferent directions today, but found nothing.
The natives all say they have not seen any
one. 1t Is most probable that the natives
are shielding these men from arrest. in
view of what they have supposed to have
done for the Filipinos In the past.
If these men were volunteers nothing can
be done to them, as there are no volunteer
officers to try them and the Supreme Court
has decided that regulars cannot try vol
unteers. An old IriShman named Carney
was recently sent up for twenty years for
deserving out of the 43d Volunteers over
on Leyte and Joining CapIle's forces. where
he became chief of ordnance. Under the
ruling he Is now free man.
The Military Step Down.
The military authorities on these islands
have stepped down and out, except on Min
danao and the civil officers have now full
control. It now takes a governor of a
province to call out the soldiers, and no
less than a brigade commander can accept
the call.
In a general order relative to above 1t is
ordered that IAN sattempt to assault by
bolos will not justify an attack by fire.
arms" This means that II Filipino Is
making for you with a bolo, his intention
being to make a choice cut. you must not
shoot him, but If possible try to borrow a
bolo from some one: IL none Is at hand you
will not be justified in stopping the coming
process in any other unlawful manner.
w. 8. X. i