The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-03-21
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
Has Been Serving 10 the U. S. Army
In Manila and Has just Returned.


ing in the United States Regular
Army, talks Interestingly OF the
islands, their prospects, of the Ameri-
can soldiers stationed there, and there
relations with the natives, and the out
look for peace.
Three years ago he joined the army
and just two and one-half years ego he
went with his company, the Sixty-frst
Coast Artillery, to the Philippines. His
command was stationed at Manila, and
that place has been their headquarters
during their whole time of service. He
has seen several pitched battles, but
his company the most of the time was
engaged in little skirmishes, in which
few men were lost on either side, but a
number Of Filipinos captured. This
guerilla warfare is the only kind that
is going on over there, and has been
about the only kind since the American
army went to take possession, which
they have not as yet done.
When asked about the fighting, and
the prospects for general peace
throughout the island, aud a peaceable
American rule, Mr.. Lyles said there
were now no organized bands of insur-
gents. There is nothing but bush
whacking here and there, and it is a
most difficult matter to get at the in
surgents. That is where the trouble
has lain all along. They sometimes
organize companies in the interior for
a special purpose. and the companies
are sometimes disbanded within ten
inmates. There is no telling how long
the war will 60 on in this manner. Ali
the prominent Filipino generals CON-
manding regular commands have now
either been captured or surrendered,
but the Americans are gradually tired
out By this bushwhacking mode Of
warfare.
He said that few captures were now
being made. Scouts and natives who
have Joined the American forces are
now doing the most effective work. AS
to the treatment given the captured,
in all the cases that had come under
- his observation they had been tried, up
until July OF last year, under the laws
existing there, and after that time, un-
der American laws, and after being
given a just trial, punished according
to the offenses they had committed. He
had heard various reports OF prisoners
being given the water cure, as it is
called, in order to extract information
from them, at the command of officers
in the army, but he would not vouch
for the truth of these reports and could
not say from personal experience that
any harsh treatment was ever accorded
them.
In reply to a question as to the num-
ber of American forces in the island
and whether or not they were sufficient
to keep in check those hostile to the
existing order of things, Mr.. Lyles re-
piled that at present as well as he could
remember there are about $1,000 troops
in the islands, and this number will
soon be reduced to 10000. If the same
conditions continue to exist as now.
these are sufficient, but should the peo-
pie rise again they would not stand
any showing whatever.
As to the general characteristics OF
the people and their ability for self
government, the natives around the
cities are very intelligent. OF course
there are some in the interior who are
as yet wholly uncivilized. The lowest
class are dark skinned, kinky haired,
about the same color and appearance
as the American negro. They have no
idea of morality or decency. Some
times they go half dressed, sometimes
without any clothes on at all.
The highest class compare very well
with the average japanese, are neatly
dressed and very religious. n their
religion they are strictly Catholic. In
fact before the Americans took posses
sion, II was considered a very grave
ofense to profess any other religion.
This class is generally friendly to the
Americans.
The fighters are composed of all
classes but mostly of the lower. COM
manded by men from among the higher
classes, whose object is the plunder
they ,~ay be able to secure. They may
be compared to the American highway
men we read of in stories of Jesse
James, except they have not the
courage.
About one-third Of the whole popula-
tion is friendly. The great trouble the
Americans have in making the natives
friendly is that the Catholic priests
have everywhere gone before them and
imposed upon them, and wherever
these priests have preceded the SOL
diers the people are hostile. They are
very treacherous, protesting friendship |
to your face, and as soon as your back |
is turned, hesitating not a moment to |
murder you.
The highest class of people, | think |
L Df nf