The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-18
THE LETTER.

THE LETTER.
have been in the Islands about nine
teen months
left San Francisco on the u. S. trans
port Hancock" on the twenty-fourth
day of March, 1901 as member of Troop
F, 9th Cavalry. We stopped at Honolulu,
Hawaii, about two days. 1 saw good
part of the town, the natives are quite
civilized and very friendly to the Ameri-
can soldiers that land from off the trans
ports. The buildings are modern and the
streets clean and have the appearance
of an American city. 1 heard the Ha-
waiian band discourse some excellent
music. The musicians present quite a
picturesque appearance and their style
of playing is very charming.
We sailed from Honolulu with many
regrets that our stay was so short
On the 18th day of April We passed
"Corregidor, which is an island a
short distance out of Manila harbor and
dropped anchor in Manila harbor about
o'clock that night. How glad we were
to see the white topped houses of Manila
across the bay and how anxious We were
to get on shore and see the sights, but
we We're disappointed. About 8 o'clock the
morning of the 18th we weighed anchor
and went south to Taal a large town il.
Bahamas province, about 100 miles from
Manila. We landed that afternoon about
5 o'clock and spent our first night in
the "consotorial' or court house sleeping
on the floor
The 4th Cavalry, were stationed III the
town and had quarters in the convent
which adjoins the large cathedral.
While stationed in Taal, we went
through quite an experience in hiking"
and chasing "gugus." There are quite
a range of mountains around Taal and
the insurgents found them quite con-
venient for supply dcpots, and as re-
fuge when TOO hard pressed by General
Bell, the Brigade Commander. General
Bell issued his famous concentration or
der the last of December, 1901, which or
dered all the natives to move into the
towns garrisoned by American soldiers,
and to remain there until further orders
All who failed TO obey this order were adj
judged insurgents and were chased day
and night until the campaign eliminated
in the surrender of "Malvar" (the com
barrio a short distance from Lipa. in
played most excellent sagacity in his
dealing with the situation.
While the country people were living
in town the military authorities furnished
them food supplies at extremely low
rates, and where the natives had no
money, they were given food gratis All
Of the profits that accrued from these
sales We're expended in building new
roads and at the discretion of the civil
l am now stationed with the same
Troop in Santa Rosa, in Lajuna province,
about 20 miles from Manila.
This province is governed by Governor
Gales, who was formerly an insurgent
general and is in quite good condi- |
ton, being quite free of "Ladrones.'
The adjoining province, Cavite, is
overrun with "Ladrones" and the natives
constabulary are having quite fight to
suppress them. l think that eventually
the military will have to be called to
their aid.
The Filipinos are a very poor race of /
people, both financially and morally, and
it will take many years of association
with Americans and American ideas and
customs to make a manly people of
them
ARTHUR D, THOMAS.
Sgt. Troop F, 9Th Cavalry,
Manila Z. I.