The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-03-21
wild men Of the noun
tains of the island Of Lnzon,
the hardy, brown-skinned Igo-


the hardy, bro~wn-skinned Igo-
rots. have gone to the caves and
hiding places where they buried their
treasure In the long ago before Dewey
broke the shacklcs of Spanish rule and
have unearthe9 sacks of Spanish and
Mexican coins and carried them over
mountain tails to Gov. Hilario Logan
as their Liberty loan contribution.
"Please send this offering for the
use Of the Great Apo across the sea-
was their simple request. 1t amounts
to about 1891.
AS an example of how this primitive
people answered the call of the Great
Apo for help when the last Liberty
loan drive was made by Governor Lo-
gan, 1t is told that three Benguet Ig-
orots anne In from an out-of-the-way
orner of the mountains one day, car
rying sacks Of old Spanish treasure,
amounting to more than $1,447.50.
Commenting on this humble offering,
the Manila Bulletin says:
'"The 1900 pesos, while not in them.
selves a great amount when the Phil
ippine total subscriptions Of over
$6,560,G00 is taken into consideration,
are regarded by the authorities Of the
mountain province as the most signif-
cant contribution to the entire Lib
erty loan campaign In the islands, com
ing as they do from an aboriginal pee
pie who never before trusted any
savings bank but mother earth, but
have been led In 1S years to confide in
the integrity Of the "Great Apo across
the seas" to such an extent that they
unearth their treasure and lug 1t over
the mountains that 1t may be sent
to him to aid In prosecuting the war
against Germany.
''This was not all OF the Igorot sub
scription by any means, according to
the reports which have just reached
this city from the mountain capital.
these stating that the 1900 pesos sub
scribed by the lgorots OF Benguet prov
ince formed a part of the 1900 pc
SOS ($42,640) subscription given by
the civilian residents Of Bagulo and
the immediate vicinity. The greatest
surprise of all was the eagerness of
the Igorots throughout the subprov-
iRce and Governor Logan may well
be proud Of his work. In the few
days he had at his disposal he reach
ed even the most distant towns In the
mountains and aroused the Igorots to
their great demonstration of patriot
dsm."
Want to Go to the Front.
Not only did the Igorots give their
treasure, but they offered their serv-
Ices to Governor General Harrison, and
are anxious to go to France to help
the Great Apo to win the war for free
dom. Judge james Ross OF the colo
NAL administration, who recently made
an extended tour of Luzon, said that
every mountain station where he stop
ped was filled with natives who asked
for a chance to enlist. Each ma
tive came In with his discharge
papers, showing the length and
quality OF service he had rem
dered to the government of the Phil
appines. Then, saying that he had
heard the United States was ct wa
with Germany, he would urge his claim
to bear arms under the American flag.
Judge Ross would advise the sturdy
volunteer to reJoln the constabulary,
in which many vacancies exist, but
this would not satisfy the Igorot. One
and all wanted to fight.
When one stops to consider the bar
barrie life that the Igorot still lives,
this offer Of treasure and service to
Uncle Sam Is all the % remarkable.
For the Igorot is still very much him
self and is totally different from all
his other Philippine brothers. Amer
fcans are establishing schools, and
education IL making some progress
But the Igorots have no laws. and each
community is ruled by q council Of old
men. they live In the northwestern
section of the island of Luzon, and
number about $4,000. Theirs Is a
mountainous country. SIX days march
inland from the nearest civilized town.
They are d mixture OF savage barba-
<ian and Civilized people.
WorshIp One God.
They have q g0ug Annuwig, anu
Eheif Religious s1Sfem In q sort a Wor-
rhir ~ NH splr1ks - the departed.
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