The Washington times., 1913-11-09
News and Gossip of Interest the Boy Scouts Of the
boy SCOUT TROOP
I IN THE PHILIPPINES
Former Scoutmaster Thompson.
Favors Organization At Fort
h William Mckinley.

Washington Boy Scouts, especially
Snose who remember former sScoutmas-
eer Mark Thompson. who had charge of
Troop 30 a little more than a year ago,
win be surprised to learn that he has
jest organized the Filipino Boy Scouts
which VIII be a sort of little brother to
the Boy Scouts of America -. :
Mr. Thompson is attached TO United
states Field Hospital No. 4. Fort Will
fam Mckinley. p. L. and In letter to
scout Commissioner Is. 3 Martin tells
of the organization of the boys on the
other side Of the world. and shows some
On the difficulties encountered IN enforc-
Ing the scout law
Mr.. Thompson's Letter.
His letter, dated Fort William McKm-
ley, reads:
NY Dear Mr.. Martin: ',,z.
Your letter of recent date is at hand.
end was indeed glad to hear from YOU.
When Ma jor Lynch arrives here in De-
cember he will see one OF the best Boy
Scout organizations in the world Since
Wr1ting you last the organization has
made rapid climb, and today there are
nine troops of Filipino Boy Scouts in
manila representing all the districts of
the city. A fortnight ago there were
vtsiy one troop of American boys and nv
troop Of ten native boys.
The prime movers of this sudden
eutourst Of scouting activities are An
tonic Torres, Domingo Ponce. and
FRANCISCO Varona. They are now en-
eaged In drawing up the code and by
iews OF the organization. The value
OF activity, cleanliness, courtesy, de-
tense Of the weak, the love of union.
noerty. and justice are to be i'm
pressed upon the youngsters in the
national code now in course of prepara-
uon. A natty uniform for the scouts
mas been decided upon by the organi-
xauon. and will soon be ready for dis
t1outon among the members.
Show Mettle At Fire.
The Filipino Boy Scouts made their
debut in public and showed their mettle
at a small fire which broke out last
Saturday evening on Calle Dorado.
Quiapo. With enthusiasm, alacrity. and
energy worthy of their more expert
enced brethren of other countries, the
youngsters organized a bucket brigade
and succeeded in extinguishing the
flames before the arrival Of the fire de-
partment.
when this new organization was
launched, turned my troop of ten boys
OfCf W d so0hR WUO Is HOW a
ecoutmaster of no mean ability. i did
II because l thought he was more capa-
bic of teaching the boys in the native
tongue than 1. / only speak Tagalog
and Spanish in a limited way. OF
course. all my BOYS understood :he
English language well, and this made
my work less difficult
"The characteristics of the Filipino
are many, the most striking one is his
superstition. When they sleep at night
they close up their bamboo shacks
tightly, because they believe that when
they are asleep the soul leaves the body
and goes on long journey, and IL they
are awakened too suddenly the soul
might not have time to return
Game Cocks and Cigarettes.
.-The native is also addicted to gam
hing, cock fights being he main
game A man is not considered gen.
tleman unless he owns two or three
fighting cocks. Everybody, from the
baby UP, is addicted to the use of
cigarettes, and this is one cause of
SO much weakness among the people.
These cigarettes are not made like
the American cigarettes, but are only
native tobacco rolled in paper. They
can be bought thirty for a DOLBY nichle,
of z5z cents gold. 1t is not an uncom-
mon sight to see whole family out
for their evening walk, all putting On
cigarettes.
"The native. as a rule, is very. so
ciable, and never turns any one from
his door, be he rich or poor, but takes
him In and gives him the best he has,
which, in some instances. is not veFy
much. Perhaps a fish and plate of
rice make up the bill Of fare. He will
never let you leave without the offer
of a cigarette, and it is A great breach
of etiquette not to accept il.
81 will tell you more when / write
again. With greetings to all the scouts
in America, / remain.
Yours in preparedness.
MARK THOMPSON