The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-02-13

proposes opening large sugar and
coffee plantation. A representative of
this firm came along with us from
Palloc to Manila.
Were it not SO far from the center
of population Palloc would be one of
the most delightful places in the
Philippines for one to make his home.
At tour A. M. Dec. 9Th, we retraced
our course to Zamboanga, arriving
! there at 8 o'clock the next morning.
We had a head sea going back and
even some of the older men were
suddenly filled with philanthropic
ideas. those of feeding the fishes. I
am happy to say was not affected. l
think my first trip across the Western
Ocean was enough to last me forever
The sight ofthe beef boat, "Glacier"
brought JOY to the hearts ofthose who
had grown tired of "Canned Willie !"
and chicken. We remained in this
town only long enough to take on
fresh stores, and to transfer to tug
the propeller of a small army tug, the
Detroit, which we repaired on our
way from Palloc. The Detroit ground
ed in neap tide and our men got
her off. From Zamboanga we pro-
ceeded to Ilo Ilo, the second largest
city in the Flippines. This city was
taken by the "Boston' one of Dew
eys ships.
Great quantities of hemp are ex-
ported from here and the harbor is
real lively with shipping. In lilo Ilo
is manufactured the famous pinal
cloth for which the Islands are noted,
the body of the cloth is made of the
fibre Of the Pine apple while the color.
ing is formed from stripes or blocks
of silk. Wanamaker has bought up
most of the output of the entire
Islands and intends to introduce 1t at
home next summer. 1t is rather ex-
pensive, costs little more than silk.
lilo lilo is more of European city
than the Others we visited and was
not SO odd. Our Pilot left us here.
| forgot to tell you about the child
rem at Cebu; as soon as we were
anchored off the city, boats filled with
the young Filipinos surrounded us,
and 1t was surprising to hear the excel
lence of their English pronunciation.
The boys stood up and gave us an
exhibition of drilling, using the pad
dies as guns, with an exactness which
would have done due credit to an old
time soldier, they also went through
the same drill in the water. The girls
entertained us with native songs and
dances, and both boys and girls show
ed their ability as swimmers by
diving into the water after small coin
which were thrown over the ship side
by our men. Not coin was lost,
some boy or girl always rising to the
surface with it. They reminded me
Of ahe diving boys in Funchal, Ma
deira. A noticeable fact of the per
Torrance was their ability to swear;
it seems they learn this quicker than
anything else. send you a picture
of a public hanging which took place
in Cavite on the nth. l also send
piece Of rope taken from one of the
nooses. If you want to you may place
the picture where our townspeople
may be able to see it, it is certainly
something they will not see every
day. While in Palloc we caught a
large shark and among the numerous
things in his stomach were eleven or
twelve chicken feet, four whole crabs.
a large bone which appeared to be
the back bone of large COW, it was
about IS inches long, some potato
peelings and other rubbish hey ond
recognition.
The trip from Ilo Ilo was one of
continuous rain, but we were happy
to get back to Cavite again as several
mails had arrived in our absence.
nave been examined for first class
apprentice and passed. l don't know
where l stand, but tried my best to
stand first. l received five which is
perfect in signal, and | know l made
good mark in gunnery. l have been
studying hard and do not give up the
hope of getting to Annapolis. You
know there is great need of officers
now and Naval officers duties are
those that no civilian could fill like
he could an Army officers place.
great change is gong to take place If
the Navy and our president is a mar
who understands the Navy as mucl
as any other man, as he was Assistan
Secretary before the war.
If you wish you may publish thi
letter leaving out all personals. l d'
not like to publish letters but l thnl
some of my friends would be please,
to hear from me and who could do S
in no other way. This letter cover
great deal of time but intervenin
things which / know would interes
you, seem as common occurrences
and it is hard to recall them. | ar
/ aycapttopn llu uali hoya kaao -