Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-05-16
A Letter From the Philippines.
U. 8. NAVAL STATION,

OL0NGAPo, Z. l.
EDITOR REaIsTER-Since have been
on the Asiatic Station for some months,
it might be Of interest to some OF your
many readers to know of the pastime
of our little PHILIPPINE Islanders across
the seas.
Much Of my time has been spent
cruising about China and Japan, but l
have now been assigned duty at Olon-
gapo Naval Station. This station is
destined to be our best fortified and
equipped naval base Of operation in the
orient, located at favorable distance
of 80 miles northwest OF Manila, the
leading city of the archipelago. The
reservation, which includes the city
and navy yards, covers an area OF 700
acres of level land, hemmed in on all
sides by towering mountains and
large expanse Of bay, this being well
protected from the huge breakers which
tend to roll in from>.the China Sea by
the swift under currents and coral
reefs. To repel an attack of an enemy
by seait is being for fled by modern
engines of war, which will make it a
second Gibraltar when completed.
Luzon. the leading and the most i'm
portant of this large island group, still
contains many Of the wild clans within
it's inland provinces who have not as
yet awakened to the march Of the pro-
gressiye world. From observation it
is not due to the lack of ambition, for
all are willing, but do not know how.
In view Of this fact the United States
Government is establishing industrial
schools in every possible locality, which
in turn are being eagerly sought by all.
1t is not an unusual occurrence to find
these children gathered in the school
room on Sunday evenings working in
their particular branches with senior
class mate as temporary instructor.
In wealth it would be hard to esti-
mate the value of these islands. The
potters clay formation found has sill
icon deposit within it which makes it
surpass all other Of its kind. The
mountains contain veins of coal which
are not developed, due to location. AT
an average 30 miles inland are vast
plateaus which are fed by mountain
streams, making 1t very productive in
the culture of rice and nipa. Hemp
and tobacco are commercial articles the
world over. In previous times it has
grown without cultivation, with mod
crate success, and harvesting most
crude, but there are machines being
operated that economic time and labor
hundred fold.
Standard Oil in the Far East has found
an effective competitor, the copra. 1t
is very rich oil from the cocoannt.
For illumination it is replaced here only
by electricity. In England the best
brands o. soap are made from it and for
lubricating purposes it is excellent.
Hostilities are practically at-an end,
save the ladrones (outlaws), who are
making constant inroads on the peace
able villages, the constabulary (native
soldfers) doing much in suppressing
these would-be outlaws. 1t is thought
that the constabulary In a short time
will be able to relieve our regular army
in these islands. In case of this il will
be one step towards the ability Of self
government, and there will be no sorrow
when the boys in khaki turn their heads
homeward hound.
Respectfully,
H. D.,
U. s. s. Monadnock.
March 2s, 1907.