Page
October 22, 1898,
him that these had been made; but he regretted to say without success.
In view of the many complaints made of late with regard to the working of the Post Office here, which are no doubt within the knowledge of your Committee, we beg to bring this further instance before them, as we venture to think that the sum total constitutes a charge of sufficient gravity to warrant your Committee in asking the Government to institute a searching enquiry into the working of the Department with a view to having the conduct of the postal business here placed on a much more efficient and satisfactory footing.-We are, dear sir, your obedient servants,
GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co.
THE SITUATION AT MANILA.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 5th October.
|
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
arrived, so dress parades are in order, and a few drills on the Luneta with bands playing and people driving about in carriages tend to make a man feel more like a soldier than an ordinary policeman, and on the whole give him more respect for himself and arouse a little conceit, a small amount of which element is necessary to the proper conception of man's idea of a man.
The officersare devoting their spare time to the formation of an Army and Navy club which bids fair to be successfully launched in a few days. As there are a great many officers here, they are going with the affair on a large scale. The Admiral's palace on the bank of the Pasig has been selected as most desirable, as the navy men can come right up to the building in their launches.
1
Judging from these signs and others it really looks as though the American occupation is to be a matter of some years. On top of this, however, a cablegram was reported yesterday ordering the Nebraska troops home. Last night the men in the barracks were all singing "Home Sweet Home" accompanied by the band.
During the last two weeks there has been an unusual amount of activity in officialdom. Thorough and competent systems are now in order providing for the health and sanitary arrangements of the city.. Owing to the năm. Sandico, who will be remembered as the erous gutters, sinks, and shallow creeks resulting proprietor of a bicycle store in Hongkong, has at low water in mere pools, the thorough cleans-long been beyond the pale of Aguinaldo's favour; ing of the place is exceedingly difficult, Ameri- but recently he has been entrusted with some can officials are wisely acting in conjunction with offices and commissions which he has executed the men who had this work in hand under the with considerable ability. As a result his star Spanish rule, and from their combined efforts is on the rise and his merit is being appreciated much progress is expected in controlling the not only by his own people but by the Ameri- fevers, malaria and small pox that are now cans with whom he has had extensive dealings existing. Major Bourus, Pres. Board of Health, through the Bureau of Information. has divided the city into ten districts, for each of which a city physician has been appointed. They are to be responsible for the health of their respective districts and to provide necessary assis. tance for the needy and indigent. Eight midwives have been appointed and will continue discharging their duties as under previous regulations. For the benefit of strangers and resident physicians not now, practising, the following has been announced:-" All physicians graduate of recognized medical institutions will be per- mitted to practise their profession in this city under regulations heretofore existing. They must present themselves at the Government office for the proper registration of their names, residences and diplomas.
There is no denying the fact that there is a large amount of sickness among the troops. As usual, fevers claim the greatest numbers; but during the last few days the appearance of the dread small pox has caused considerable alarm. Already there has been two deaths and fourteen cases reported. A. pest house has been established under the charge of Capt. O'Brien 1st. Calif. Vol. In the old city, which is a filthy place in spite of all efforts at cleansing it, and which is orowded with Spanish prisoners, there ist practically very little disease that has been discovered.
As far 88.
the insurgents are concerned, everything is going smoothly; their lines are well outside the city limits thus avoiding all friction with our men. Beginning from 500 yards east of the American river outpost aud continuing on up to the lake the insurgents have numerous outposts and small guard.quar- ters, which give them easy control of the upper river traffic. I accompanied Lieutenant Haan, commanding the Battalion of Engineers, on a surveying trip in a Government launch up the Pasig and San Juan rivers. Though the launch flew the American flag we were stopped at every rebel outpost and challenged, but always allowed to proceed and on the whole we received the most courteous treatment. 'hings are begin- ning to drift into the old channel again. Fields that have been neglected and fought own for months are now being plowed and sown with rice, the little nipa huts are springing up everywhere, the rivers and creeks are full up with native boats of all des- criptions bringing down produce to the city. With the influx of so many soldiers and stran- gers the washing trade has received an immense impetus. It really seems as if every native has. opened a laundry, and towards evening hundreds of boats wend their way up the river loaded down with great bundles of clothes.
The troops are gradually settling down to routine work with better grace, and the general impression seems to be that they will remain here for a good part of their time of enlistment. A lot of new white and blue uniforms have
Last week there was a meeting held in the palace, at which the directors of the principal educational institutions were present. It has been decided to re-open the schools with as short a delay as possible. Former instructors are holding meetings and teachers in country dis- triots are being called in. The idea is evidently to conduct them exactly according to old rules and former plans, subject, however, to American supervision.
The steamer Sunkiang arrived this morning bat owing to disease was sent into quarantine at Merivales.
I have just received the report from the hospital: Last night 3 deaths from small pox. Up to three o'clock to-day 40 new cases of fever and malaria.
Manila, 10th October.
|
tained for some time on the charge of being Spanish spies. This seems rather ridiculous, but it is true. There was a rumour, apparently well founded, that only those who held passes from Aguinaldo could go further north than Malolos the headquarters. This morning. I interviewed Mr. Higgins, the manager of the railroad, who said that no such cases had been reported to him. It is a fact, however, that soldiers enter the cars and carefully scrutinize the passengers. Besides these things, all is not going smoothly in the rebel camp itself. In Rampanga province and about the district of San Jose there are many natives who still are only on the outer edge of the new republic, These have been giving Aguinaldo's officers good amount of worry and have never been quite docile. Last week reports reached Manila that they had organized and, urged on by the Spanish and the priests, were making stand against the local officials, Parties who wished to visit the district and ascertain the truth of the matter were not allowed to proceed, and this seems to lend colour to the truth of the report.
Lieut. Haan's Battalion of Engineers has been busy on surveys and maps of all the river conn- try surrounding Manila, and up to last Wednes day were free to go where they pleased, but on that day they were stopped and the men ordered back by the native officers. Lieut. Haan went to Malolos and laid the matter before Aguinaldo, who greatly regretted the interferance and pro- mised every privilege in the future. And so the story runs, now favourable, now doing unac- countable acts, apparently blown bither and thither, until it really begins to look as though the affairs of government are becoming a little too complicated, a little too delicate to be handled by those who have been doing so up to the present.
Thirty-five expert mining men arrived by the transport Scandia, who will thoroughly investi- gate the country for mineral wealth and make reports to the Government; besides these there are several old mining men who are only waiting until something definite is known about protection and property before going into the interior. One man arrived in Manila yes- terday who wears a little nugget on his watch chain. He refuses to tell where it came from but merely says, "Oh I picked it up on a little trip to the south."
*;
A new paper under Spanish management has made its appearance. It is a sort of comic illustrated sheet called the Kon Leche. Dewey, Merritt, Aguinaldo, and soldiers of both sides are caricatured and the witticisms are rather doubtful, but so far it has not been disturbed.
The smallpox is still increasing, but very slowly. Every effort is being made to stamp out the disease in the beginning; the patients are kept in big hospital tents and around the enclosure a high wire fence has been erected, Fortunately we have had nearly a week of quite cool weather and it has caused the release of over two hundred fever patients..
patients
Paymaster Wilcox and Lieut. Sargent of the The usual serenity of affairs concerning the Monadnock left for a month's trip into the Filipinos has been considerably disturbed dur- interior on Saturday. They took with them ing the last few days. The latest trouble has eight pack horses loaded with provisions, in been a brush with the English naval men. Onstruments, and so on. It is expected that they Sunday a launch and party of men from the will take copious notes on the country, the Powerful went up the Pasig intending to go people, government, soldiers, and the general to the English cemetery for the purpose of bury-state of affairs. Aguinaldo has furnished them ing a comrade who had died of fever. As is with his best quality passports and hopes that usual in such cases there was an armed escort to a satisfactory report will be given to Aŭmiral fire the salute over the grave. The English come. Dewey. tery lies within the rebel lines, and as the launch went up the river there was no trouble until the American outposts had been passed and the first Filipino sentry sighted; then came the or- der to halt. A Filipino sergeant ir formed the officer in charge that as there were armed men in the party they could proceed no further. It was explained that it was merely a funeral formality and that 8 salute is always fired in honour of departed comrades. How eyer, the sergeant could do nothing but obey orders, and he referred the officer to the lieutenant The officer went ashore and splashed through paddy fills until he finally unearthed the lieutenant, but this worthy could not be brought to take the authority upon his shoulders, and could do nothing more than
Manila, 15th October. demand an Aguinaldo pass from the English-Still another Hongkong exile has made him- man, which unfortunately he did not possess. self famous and won a page in the short history, All parties were becoming exasperated and after of the Republica Filipina. Among the many more splashing about and slipping over paddy natives who escaped to Hongkong during the fields the naval officer returned to the launch; turbulent times preceeding the war was one not, however, before admonishing the lieuten Leyba. He comes of good family and devoted ant to see that a pass was on board the Powerful him elf to the study of English; incidentally by next morning. The warning did not go un- he became well known in athletics. In answer heeded and next morning the launch and ship's to the call of his General, he returned to Cavite boats loaded with marines and sailors went up the on June 23rd and was given a lieutenant's com- river and carried out the burial service. Con- mission. Before the Americans took Manila his siderable indignation is felt over the incident. successful work at Paranaque and Pampanga won him advancement to the rank of Major. In this capacity he was placed in charge of the ca
the captured steamier Filipinas, about September 19th, and sent to attack the cities at the extreme north of Luzon. This portion of the island has never
Aguinaldo seems to have suddenly grown very suspicious of all parties--Americans as well as others. The other day some Americans were travelling north on the railroad that runs from Manila to Dagupan. They were held and de-
,- -