Manila, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo Dist.
Cloudy but dry during the forenoon. Afternoon a wind storm suddenly came up. Has been & is now raining from that time on.
Tired feeling this morning. Lay abed until near 7. Got up read a chapter in Deuteronomy & prayed.
Cooked breakfast of fried ham, coffee and oatmeal mush. Lunched on soda crackers & lemonade. Supper: ham, oatmeal mush and cocoa.
Went to the post office this forenoon. Rec’d 2 letters (1) Lt.-Col. Wm Evans. Commenting on my surroundings down here thinks I am the right man for the place. Whatever he may think as an afterthought, I think he sent me to the Philippines to get rid of me; didn’t want me in his division. So I have concluded from the treatment rec’d from him & his before my departure & at the time of departure. (2) Adjutant C. Wilfred Bourne. Ft. Herrick [____] Colong, Willoughly, Ohio. Bourne sent a letter to give to Private G. Spankie of the Idaho; but Spankie returned to the U.S. some time since B. writes me that Commander Booth-Tucker visited Cleveland, Ohio & exhibited much interest in me & my work. Bourne was formerly by book-keeper & cashier; What it, when I was not only editor of the War Cry, but had change of the printing department & Trade Dept. under New York, independent of the Pacific Coast Division & drawing $15 a week salary, with board & lodging free. Much extra money of mine in those days was expended to initiate the new Outsider movement in Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake & Del Norte countries. I pioneered every one of those countries including Trinity & part of Napa county. My salary was cut down to $9 a week. After that I had less money to spend for the general work. I have not near the heart to do such work now as I once had, because I have lost faith in the Booth tribe, who rule the Salvation Army. Until confidence lost is restored I fear my hands will be weakened.
Bourne also stated that the San Franciso War Cry has been granted a new lease of life & that Adjutant Chas O’ Donnell has returned to the Printing office. This news caused me to rejoice & to God I give thanks. B. also suggested that when I am relieved from Manila that I request a furlough & rest on his farm at Willoughby.
At dark a Filipino brought me a General Weekly Letter sent out by Com. Booth-Tucker to all leading officers.
Thru S. F. Crys also came with part of my Philippine narrative therein. The S.F. Cry gives me considerable space.
Rev. & Mrs. Owens went out on the bay to the S.S. “Indiana”.
Brought back ward that they will embark next Saturday.
This afternoon Mr. Chas E. Buchanan, Co. Battalion, 1st Montana Vol. Infantry called as per promise with a lot of photographic prints – Kodak. He traded me 17 pictures for 9 taken by me. I am anxious to secure a large assortment of war scenes. May need them in the future for literary & stereopticon efforts.
Rumors are floating around that our troops did not cover themselves with glory yesterday. One or 2 6th Art’y guns lost; number of Americans killed & wounded, some captured – 12, & several companies flying from the enemy. Such are the things whispered around. Such a strict military censorship is kept on the process that we can learn nothing adverse thro’ the newspapers. Of the Oregons & Nebraskans but few men are remaining in the Philippines. They prefer the United States.
Wrote & copied letters to (1) Private Geo. Berry, Co. H. 1st Montana vol. at Corregidor; (2) 30th Weekly letter to Lt-Col. Alice Lewis New York; (3) Adj. C. Wilfred Bourne, Willoughly, Ohio. Also minded 1 Toronto War Cry to Geo. Berry & 1 to Albert Lloyd, San Fernando E. Co. 1st Montana Lloyd.