The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-06

Luzon and bear more resemblance TO
the Malays of Borneo and Malacca.
In disposition they are less soclable
and hospitable than the Tagals and
less clean in clothing and person, the
women were of finer looking CLASS
than of any other class of Filipinos we
have seen yet; they pay more atten-
tlon to their dress, they have langu-
age of their own, but most of them
speak Spanish as well, their principal
articles OF food consist OF fish and
rice, highly seasoned with red pepper,
they are great fisherman, and daring
swimmers. The cock fight is as popu
lar here as elsewhere in the Islands,
they are lazy people as class, al
though great quantities of sugar, hemp,
manila, rice, tobacco and corn are
exported from Cebu. From appear
ances 1t seems to grow without cultlva-
ton. The 10Th Infantry stationed
here, reports very little trouble. Be-
sides fruit and cocoanuts, many beautl-
ful shells were offered for sale by the
bum boat people. Our next stop was
at Zamboansa, (Nov. 20 27 2S) stu
ated on Mndanao Island, the second
largest Of the Filipino Group. Until
lately nothing was known of the
interior, but Jesuit Missionaries by
their fearless explorations have given
us complete maps, and accurate IN
formation. There are few active,
and many extinct VOLCANOES. The popu.
lation consists of twenty-four tribes of
which II are Pagan, and the remain
der are Christian. The Negritos were
the original inhabitants but large wild
tribes of Moros coming from the
south drove them into the interior
and might have swept them from the
Island had not the Spaniards checked
their northern course. The warllke
Moros are found on the southern and
southwestern parts of the coast and
on the banks of large rivers and lakes
The Spaniards made no attempt to
clear the Islands of their religious
enemies. Zamboarga is the principal
town on Mindanao,, it is of fair size,
clean, pleasant and beautiful. Ap
preaching by the sea Its appearance
is differen, from all towns we have
yet visited, the water front being
lined with the original bamboo or
Nepa "Huts." Further back IN the
town is number of brick and stone
buildings, chiefly the Commissary,
Post Office, and Officers Quarters.
The climate is soft and balmy, the
scenery is delightful, in fact it is the
garden spot of the Philippines. l can
scarcely describe to you the beauties
OF this tropical growth of palms, etc.,
and should make an attempt it
would be impossible to give it truth.
tul description for words cannot ex-
press its grandeur Zamboangai is the
center of the Spanish rule in the
south. 1t was fortified shortly after
Cavite was strengthened and became |
the second Naval Station. 1t is also
the Clearance port for ships trading
in the Southern Islands. Part of the
18TH Infantry is stationed here and
many of the officers have their families,
making 1t quite an American Colony.
The Plscatagua accompanied us to
this Port, and shortly after our arrival
tine Admiral and staff boarded her
and visited Isabella on the Basilian
Island, about 20 miles distant. On
Thanksgiving eve delightful enter
tainment was given by the ships Com
pany under the auspices of the Chap
lain, on the Quarter Deck. In addi-
ton to the officers from the New
Yo,k, and Piscatagua, many Army
Officers were present with their ladies.
1t seemed more like Fourth Of July
weather than Thanksgiving. On
Thanksgiving afternoon we had games
and contests on the fo'cas'le. Moro
shawls, bolos, and other curios were
plentiful and cheap too. About two
in the morning of the 29th we weigh
ed anchor and skirted the southern
coast of Minanao reaching Palloc the
same afternoon, this small town is
beautifully situated on the bay of the
same name, near the mouth of the
Rio Grande River. The surroundings
make it one of the most beautiful bts
of scenery in the Philippines. Not
numbering the Moros who come and
60 the population is about $50. In
Spanish times it was an Army station,
1t also had small Dry Dock. The
ruins OF good sized Spanish Gun
boat are lying on the beach, it looks
more like hugh snowhitened skele-
ton. We use Palloc as a Naval
station, also base of supplies for