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Thursday, March 23, 1899

Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.

Cloudy and cool –the weather. Rumors and significant preparations point to an advance tomorrow. One rumor says Aguinaldo proposes to surrender. We shall see. The 1600 & odd men are landing from the transport “Sherman”. –News just in details a sharp fight near Iloilo March 16th. It is alleged that 500 natives were killed.

Consul Williams is championing the discharged American crew of the transport “Indiana”, & the men are boarding at the English hotel at $4. a day. The “Indiana” it seems is a private property leased to the U.S. Gov’t,

Cooked breakfast & washed dishes after Bible reading & prayer. Gave 3 or 4 hours to reading the old anonymous history of Texas. Is an oddly written pamphlet but withal interesting to me. I was glad to welcome once more to No. 2 Private George Bertrand of Co. H. 1st South Dakota Vol. Inf. We had a long talk about war matters in general & spiritual matters in particular. Closed with prayer before he returned to his quarters. Bro. Betrand gave me $3.75 U.S. silver –principally his Tenth League payment. Praise God. It does my heart good to meet Salvationists who are remaining true to Christ in spite of the blood & savagery of war.

I took dinner with Rev. & Mrs. Owens. We indulged in the luxury of boiled fresh beef & soup from the same.

Soon after dinner an United States orderly called & delivered me an official envelope for which I receipted. The letter was in answer to my letter of application made to the Governor-General yesterday asking for a pass thro’ the lines. Major-General Otis kindly granted my wish & promptly delivered the pass by special messenger. The document reads as follows:

“Office of the United States Military Governor in the Philippine Islands.

Manila, P.I. March 23d 1899.

Pass:

Pass Mr. John Milsaps of the Salvation Army within the lines of the United States troops.

By Command of Major General Otis.

C.M. Murray

Major & Inspector General, U.S.V.

L.R. 651.                     Secretary.”

I feel thankful to to God for this pass. Have prayed to the Lord about it several times. I am desirous of going to the front. Went down to the Escolta after receiving the pass & purchased from a Chinese a pair of high top shoes ($3. Mex) as I expect to do considerable rough walking.

About supper time Bro. Schumerhorn called. I cooked supper for the 2 of us. Conversation and prayert. Rev. Owens joining.