The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-26
LIFE IN 0L0NGAPo
INTERESTING LETTER FROM H0L-
 LAND M. SMITH.
Montgomery Young Man, Oncer In Ma rine Corps, Tells of Daily R0u-
 tine in the Philippines.

tine In the Rhtiipptness
 Lieutenant Holland M. smith. of the United States Marine Corps. stationed in the Philippine Islands, has written an interesting letter to his father. Hon John V. Smith. of Montgomery.
 As Lieutenant Smith has been promi- nent in the Alabama National Guard and has a wide circle of friends throughout the State, hts letter will be of great interest, showing as 1t does the routine duties of an American of ficer In Uncle Sam's island possessions. The letter was mailed at Olongapo, May 23rd. at II a. m, and was received at the Montgomery postoffice June 25 at l1:30 a. m. It bears a regulation Unt- ted States two-cent stamp and the im- print of the Olongapo postofice
 "wednesday night" says Lieutenant Smith, 'I got back from two days hike to the mountains. We left here early Tuesday morning and marched four or five hours. We pitched camp on top of a mountain near great washing hole. The Captain and went in bathing. The water was very cool and refreshing. After we came out the men went in. Meanwhile two of the men went hunting and In a short time NStN&HE4 WftH a foHAB pnEks L<atSf tHo two men went out and came back with fine doe. We lived in geat style on venison for two days.
 sTn the morning we had dfiii on the little plateau and practiced cover and extended order drills. also how to ad- vance on broken ground. Being the second lieutenant of my company I had to instruct the men while the Cap tain and the first lieutenant looked on
 we all came back to barracks here healthy and sound. Contrary to my expectations I got back fresh and in excellent condition. Some time soon we expect to go out for five days hike.
 Yesterday evening we had brigade review and inspection. I was adju- tant of the second battalion. The re- view was very pretty. We have 800 men here. Major Cole, who was tho President of my examining board is in command of the post. He called on me few nights ago.
 To-day I am officer of the day and have had my hands full It Is my tirst tour of duty here and I find 1t rather a strenuous tour. All day 1t has been raining. People in the States have seen nothing like the rain we have here. The heavens seem to open and the water comes down In torrents There are times when one cannot see two feet ahead. Today is only fore runner of the rainy season which be- gins about July 1st.
 "On the 18th we are going to have prize fight One of our marines is to fight the champion sailor around here The marine Is in my company, "A". of the End. Every one is looking forward to the contest with much interest.
 Most of the officers at this post live in bamboo houses. They are as neat and comfortable as gan be. At first sight the houses look as if they would tumble down before a slight wind This Is not so. The houses are like the natives--little. but as strong as mules
 The negroes at home live a life of luxury as compared with the natives here. The natives are treacheroms and ere treated accordingly. They live in little houses with dogs. chickens and the like. They est everything or any thing that has life. They eat rice, principally, bamboo shoots, shrimp and rotten fish. They catch thousands of ninnows and pile them together let tkeHn stand awhile then they eat them whole.
 Nearly every one of them will get of the sidewalk, salute you or tip his hat. They are afraid of an American soldier and especially an officer My boy servant Is afraid of me. He thinks fl he does wrong I win put him in jail or beat him. It is a serious offense to strike 8 Filipino If he reports it but the average native Is afraid to make a report.
 "oIongapo is sixty-five miles from Manila It is surrounded on three tides by great high mountains and on one side by Subig Bay. To my mind t could be easily captured if any one of the mountains was occupied by good artillery, All of the houses are crude but new It is the best place In the service for young officer. He can easily save his money here. About the only expense he has Is $50 month for mess and s2.50 for his laundry.
 'On the night of May 20 we had a tvphoon. number of trees were blown down and some of the houses were damaged had to go ont in the storm and rain and have some tents taken down. The officers and men have rubber boots, ca5os and rubber coats and we are very well protected against aevAre weather
 "A deer has just been seen in the pa- rade ground. He seemed to be too scared to run and tho men caught him. I guess h@ got lost in the storm.
 "when clear weather comes I intend to go hunting. There are plenty of deer. wild hogs. wild chickens and tboHsahos oi ouCks Witnin leH Iuiies'
 '~rhs other day one of the officers introduced me to one of the rich Fiii- pinos. Tn the days of the empire he was quite a. prominent man in the is- lands His daughters gre refined and his house is well furnished His son is a brilliant young man. I think am going to learn to speak Spanish through these people.
 "our mess Is very fne. We eat our meals in ccurseS but no wines are served with the meals. The mess is in charge of a Chinese steward who f,as ali of the responsibility. He cer- tainly feeds us we'll"
 Lieutenant Smith sailed for the Phil