Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-06-30
Philippine Scouts.

Philippine Scouts.
A battalion of Philippine scouts will
be attached to the exhibit. A battalion
will consist of four companies, and will
be under command of regular army
officer. The four principal Filipino
tribes will be rtl,e:tnied i'll the mill
tary-a company esch of Macabebes,
Tagals, Viscayans and llocanos.
An interesting feature Of this mill
tary exhibit will be the collection of
weapons, many of which were taken
from the native soldiers when the war
was in progress. Some of the bolos,
war clubs with heads at either end, are
deliberately carved. The spears, death
dealing in war, make splendid decora-
tons in time of peace. The bow and
arrow, most primitive means of offense
were used by The Filipions in remote
places until recent years, and collec-
ton is shown which embraces many
specimens of these. Many of the rifles
captured from the Filipinos are of
ancient Spanish manufacture, and the
contrast beween them and the splendid
Krag-Jorgensen rifles which the Fill
pinos were compelled to face, when
fighting the American soldiers is strik-
ing
All the buildings in the Philippine
exhibit will be constructed of native
materials by native workmen, and
when completed one will have an ac-
curate picture of what life really is in
the PHILIPPINES.
The development of this sort of a
show from the modest beginnings of
few years ago to the stupendous pro-
auctions of today with their summer
routes over the country like the NAM
moth circuses. is an indication of pop
ular tastes. For their production ex-
perts in dozen different arts and sci
lences are demanded. After a council
of the management has decided upon
the idea to be developed the artists
paints picture of the spectacle as it
should look when completed Then the
modellers construct models. Engineer
ing skill is then demanded to build
from these models with the strength
necessary to Withstand the firing of
canrons from wooden ramparts and
canvas men of war. The most expert
chemists, electricians, pyrotechnics and
in the spectacle before it is done.
Americans outstrip Foreigners.
From $500 set pieces the scale of
prices ranges down to the penny bunch
of firecrackers, and there is probably
more money in the latter than the for
mer. by reason of the American small
boy. Cities which order $1,000 dis
plays can be easily counted, but the
small boy with his one cherished hand
full of crackers and torpedoes is as the
sands of the shore. The selected boxes
for home displays range from 1925
up, and a man who understands the
firing of it can really make very cred
liable showing for $40.
Questioned as to the reason why, the
American branch. Of the trade has so
outstripped it's European competitors
a man on Fireworks Row" replied that
the open mind and freedom from the
bonds of traditionein this country form
ed the basic cause.
''They don't think over there" said
he, that a man can possibly have an
idea worth considering until his hair
is beginning to turn gray. They lose
all the inspiration that comes from
the young blood. The American house
is always ready fo- a new idea, no mat
ter what Jus source. 1ouHS GeiMdns
and Engiishmen. who have got their
training in the long, hard apprentice
ship demanded on the other side, come
here and do better than they ever did
or ever would over there. They get a
chance to show what there is in them
that they never would have got at
home. They have traditions over there
traditions of long training and thor
ough preparation, that makes splendid
workmen of them; but in their latel
! development these same traditions
hamper them. The American mind is
inventive, original, receptive and un
hampered. Curiously enough, in tbs
manufacture of fireworks the japan
ese mind shows precisely the same
qualities-New York Commercial AID
vertiser.