McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-03-28
Interesting PHILIPPINE Letter

Philippine division, am compelled to
write a few lines to my friends and
readers of the Independent concern
ing the strange sights, interesting
scenes, and peculiar natives which |
have seen and with whom / have
come in contact.
| left San Francisco on December
5, 1912, and arrived in Manila Janu-
airy, 8, 1918, stopping over in Homo
lulu and Guam. The city Of Honolulu
is very beautiful and forms specta-
Gle much worthy of ones notice. to-
getber with its flower gardens and
native fruit orchards it carries with
it many Legendary tales concerning
the nearby volcanoes. 1t is inhabited
by natives, Japanese, and Chinese,
the last two owning principally all
the. mercantile business and enter
prises. Few Americans are to be seen
but those who are there are of the
wealthy class. Honolulu has a few
irst-class hotels which are accomo-
dated principally by American tour
lists.
The next stop was at Guam, the
naval base of the Pacific, an island
formed Of coral reefs, and ships en-
tering the island must be very care
full to avoid the many small reefs
that line the harbor. A very large
sum Of money was expended to deep
ep the harbor in order that the large
ships could anchor in safety, and even
as it is the utmost care is exercised
to keep clear Of the reefs. 1t is
said that the island rests upon a ped
estal and in the course of time will
lose its equilibrium.
Finally the Thomas steamed out Of
the harbor and a few minutes was
under way travelling over the painless
ocean with thirteen days before /
should strike terra frma again.
When one day out from Manila my
eyes rested upon land everywhere,
islands here and there. Next day
about nine o'clock we passed the
famous Corregidor batteries, one of
the best equipped if not the best
fort in the world. and is famed for
its part played in the battle of Ma
Mia Bay in the Spanish-American
war. Just to know that was upon
the same waters whose bosom bore
brave Dewey with his destruction
feet. This brought to my mind
Sherman's march to the sea when so
much property was destroyed.
Covite was passed and on into the
fine harbor Of Manila where we re-
NAMED for about an hour until the
usual performance is gone through
by the quarantine officers and ;nspec-
tors. AT last we landed and embark
ed ip a launch for Fort VIM. McKin-
ley down the Pasig River, whose
undercurrent is 80 strong that
drowned persons are seldom found.
But the sights along the river are
many and interesting. Factories are
all along the banks on either side,
beautiful flower gardens, banana
trees, coconut orchards. artistic bum
galows, DOLBY huts, and q few real
mansions. For seven miles down, the
river all such sights are to be seen.
The river is full Of boats Of all kinds,
even house boats in which natives
live. On the right can be seen an
old Spanish cathedral which with
stood the assault Of the American
artillery the last resort Of safety for
the fleeing natives in that daring
struggle. The top is shot off and the
structure has the sign of age upon
it, but the masonry is as true as that
Of the pyramids of Egypt.
/ The Fort sets upon a hill about
two hundred yards from the river
and is an ideal place. Thh days are
rather hot but the nights are cool
making life comfortable. 1t is one
mile and half to the town. or prov
ince Of Pasig, from the fort and in.
the evenings affords q delightful
walk. One evening | strolled down
to Pasig simply to see the old ruins
and Spanish walls which still remain.
On both sides Of the road (which lis
are little huts, the homes
Of the natives. They are small and
built about five feet from the ground.
From two to FIVE families live in ons
hut, together with their chickens
and dogs.