Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-17
A CHRISTMAS TRUCE.


It was very close to the end of the
year 1899 that the last of the Filipino
iasmgent armies were cffectually defeat
cd, ami the battalions that formed its
strength were scattered among the noun
tains Ct northern Luzon as guerilla
lands.
American soldiers garrisoncd the prin
cipal towns along the coast, but the dis
lance between them was sometimes more
thar q days travel.
Thus, the traveller who cared TO risk
the dangers of the road had sometimes
to pass tEe night in some ungarrisoned
town, miles away iron! the nearest
American post.
was at Figan at that time, and want
ell badly 10 get TO Manila before New
Years day. No steamers were sched-
uled 10 sail in the interval 50 | was
forced to 90 down to Dagupan, the rail
road terminus, by horseback, distance
II moro than hundred miles
Natives and Americans alike warned
1pe 81 the ~angers OF capture from in
surgent bands, but so necessary was it
for re to reach 4.anila on time that |
Was compelled to ignore their warnings
Leaving Vigan carly on the morning If
December 23, | reached 4 village called
San Estelban that night, ungarrsoned.
but in a peaceful district. When morn
ing came and nothing had occurred to
disturb my sleep, danger from insurgents
seemed very vague, and | set out on my
second lays travel with an easy mind.
A. noon | struck the first American
pest. Candon, and the post commander
tried to persuade me from continuing. as
the next post could lie reached in one
day ~ starting early iii the morning.
But, % | have said my hurry was
great, and SO at o'clock | was once
more on the road
As ! had a fair knowledge Of the coun-
try / knew that evening must bring me
near a small village called Seyilla, and
there. in the house of the municipal
president, | expected TO pass the night,
Christmas eve.
| kept looking for the town, hut il was
almost dark and still no signs Of the
kCtse
Finally | met passing native, and
asked him:
Where is SevillaG"
There he said, pointing.
saw nothing but Il big mango tree.
"Whercy' | asked again
There; behind that tree"
Investigation disclosed the town on the
cthcl side of the trce-six small huts and
church in the distance beyond
his was unpleasant for towns of that
size were really dangerous. In the larger
communities q traveller would have been
safer, as "mishaps" usually brought
American punishment on the place.
Here the inhabitants had little to lose.
However the local president received
me well enough, and after supper /
turned in and soon fell asleep
was awakened by the changing of the
church bells In Che Philippines it is the
custom 70 hold mass at midnight on
christmas eye Once awake. | deter
mined to attend mass.
Not having undressed, | was soon
ready.
Outside | met several natives. and To.
gethcr We went across the little plaza 10
the church
ne inside was lighted Up by candles.
and about "a hundred natives were kreeI.
inc there services having already bcnpn
\ ehon Of native girls sang. and tho
service altogether was rather ipnra..
siTe for it, simplicity.
Fcr tins reason | hal not turned my.
head when heard the muncd stems If
many feet behind me. and the tbnj ,.s
numerous metallic bodies AGAINST t.
stone floor. IL was long aftcryasl whom
! turned and started ulYyog>ly nj yf.f
sam "'''
IieAlud ne stlctclcl Irnl4 A44ll - .A..2l-
karit . company at msurgent soldiers