The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-11-08
Dear Father:


Eighteen years has passed since the
Americans took possession Of the Phil
lppinc Islands. During this time we
nave done more to establish peace and
order than the Spaniards did in four
hundred. The Philippine Islands are
an asset instead Of being a dctriment
or source Of weakness to the u. S.
we need these islands and we should
keep them. We are a world power to-
day and we need to have territory in
thls section of the globe Every other
great country has, and in the struggle
ior trade markets the L. S. has to have
nor sphere Of influence. The Ameri-
can government has succeeded i'm
building up solid structure, an en-
ilshtencd and prosperous country. We
nave had in the service here some Of
Americas most competent men. They
nave regarded themselves as trustees
aclinS not only for the advantage of
the T. >. but for the benefit Of the
people Of the Philippines. The great
task that we have been doing in cduca
ton, sanitation and in the prcscrva
ton of law and order will continue,
ana lhcSc are the tasks that make the
America government Of the philippincs
4 chaptcr in colonial history of which
we may we'll he proud hay, given
you perhaps an idea Of the general
state OF affairs. Now Just a little
sketch Of the immediate country or is
land on which We live.
| The AIndano group includes fyo
large islands and many smaller ones.
making 26i in all. The great isand of
Mlndiano has an area Of 36,292 square
miles, and a coast line of ,592 miles
and is the second in size Of the Philip
| pines It's just about the size of the
state Of Indiana.
! The coast line is very irrcr lar, in
dentcd with deep bays, forming some
OF the finest harbors in the world. The
surface Of Mndiano is very mountain
ous There are several active yolcan-
ocS. Mt. Apo, stands out conspicuous
~. 1T rises 1882 feet above the level
or the sea and is the highest peak in
the Philippines. It's summit consists
or three peaks covered with n deposit
OF sulphur and which glistens In tho
sunlight like mountains Of gold. Near
the top is a lake from which flows
stream Of cold water while a stream
OF hot water flows from another
source. Mindiano has some Of the
largest rivers in the Philippines. The
word, "Nlindiano" means, Island of
lakes. so we find them without num-
per throughout the whole island, but
one in particular, | will mention,
Lake lanao", 1t is very deep and Is
supposed to be the crater Of an extinct
volcano. The water in 1t rises and
rails in an cxtraordnary manner, and
NANNY sulphur springs are found
nearby the lake. The lake contains
SIX small islands, the largest one is
inhabited
lhcrc are many fertile valleys and
the island is covered with magnificent
forests. In the southern part coal Is
found in commercial quantity. all OF
which We Will write later, including
the different tribes, their customs, etc.
Here's hoping you many find some
thing in here that will interest you
and your paper. wish ! had sense
enough to write half sec and know.
We have company coming out today
for weeks visit. The lady whom
visited in May when went on tour
around the islands She lives right on
this Lake Lanao" that spoke OF, We
sailed around it all day in launch, it's
so cold up there and usually rainy or
cloudy. Last week we had with us two
navy women; their husbands are cap
tains of torpedo boats, so while they
were away the ladies stopped with us.
One OF them has a little girl and she
has Chinese woman for a nurse. This
Chinese woman wears long coat
made like shirt and trousers. She is
very Kind and looks out for Bette"
fine. The boat leaves at ten this A. NJ.
so I'll have to get this Off I've writ
ten this before breakfast, but don't
ask our breakfast hour.
Hoping you are all well. Love to
one and all,
DevOtcdly,