Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-01
pated, and that most of the trade 10 in the
hands Of the foreign houses
MANILA TonAoCo

pateo, ana that most OF the trade 10 In the
hands Of the foreign houses.
MANILA TOBACCO.
OF the six characteristics Of Msnila-tobacco,
hemp, earthquakes, cockfghting, priestcraft
and orchids-the first two are known 10 all the
world Manila cigars and Manila rope are
household words. I have already written OF
two OF these. and as regards another, orchid
hunters come here year after year, travel Tar
into the virgin forests OF the interior and
emerge again after months OF absence, fever
and the Tagoloe spare them, with few basket q
fuil Of strange flowers, which they carry home
with infinite precaution aud sell for king 6
ransom was told of one collector who sold q
plant for $500. Tobacco is Of course the staple
industry and . morning spent in a tobacco
factory is extremely interesting. j visited the
most important of these, La Flor de 10 lsa-
BELLA" and followed the tobacco from its
arrival IN the bale, through the season
ing room, TO the wetting and sorting
tubs, ON the benches where il ID
rolled into cigars past the selecting table, where
its color and quality are decided by a light
ming expert, through the drying room and at
last into the gaily labeled cedar box. Manila
tobacco is considered here TO be superior to
any IN the world except the famous .'vuelts
Aoajo OF Cuba, and millions Of manila cigars
are ~ SOLO as havsnas. In fact, the two styles.
Manila and Cuban, the former with the end cut
piunt on and the parallel Sides are turned out
IN almost equal quantities. London takes as
sorted coiors, while the dark brands are sent TO
spain, the light ones to New York. and the
straight cheroots to India. From this factory
million and half cigars are shipped every
month to London.
IMMENSE BUSINESS.
The figures of tobacco making are astound-
ing. At La Flor de la Isabella" and this is
only one OF q score of factories in Manila 4 900
people are employed, their hours Of labor
being eight from to u and from 10 5
ha hun .I,,p ala.n a.
the tiny "Coquetas" and the twisted Guile
bras, OO0, 900 in Manila style and l. 500 90 in
Cuban style are made monthly. But cigarette
making caps the climax. The tobacco leaves
are cut into ''hebra' or thread, which we call
''Iong cut, and the whole process of making
is done by one machine. / saw nine of these
hard at work and each turns out L., 600 in day.
II Is simple sum: 9Xl2, 000N30Xl2, say
SS,o00,oo0 cigarettes a year from one factory.
What heritage of palpitation and dyspepsia!
COCK FIGHTING.
have not left myself much room to speak OF
the cock lighting, vet the great cock pit OF
Manila at the Fiesta del Pueblo" was one OF
the most remarkable spectacles / have ever
seen. Imagine huge circus with an arena
raised to the height of the faces of those stand
ing, behind them tier upon tier gradually
rising; above the arena, which is inclosed with
fine wire netting. the red-draped box of the
farmer, the leading Chinaman OF Manila named
Palanca, and packed audience OF four thou
sand people. Squatting on the earthern floor
Of the ring. inside the wire netting. are the
habitues, half Chinese and half Mestizos, while
the officials walk about-the ''iuez de iusticia. "
or referee; the ''sentenciador." or umpire; the
'casador," go-between or betting master, and
several others. Then two men enter the ring,
each carrying bird whose spur is shielded for
the moment in a leather scabbard. One wears
his hattie Is the owner of the challenging
bird, called ',llamado"-the other hatless Is
uh n faE fha
challenge. An official calls out the sum for
which the ''lamado's" owner backs it and how
much Is still lacking to make up the sum.
SHOWER OF DOLLARS.
Then comes the most extraordinary scene OF
all. The moment the words are out of his
mouth it rains dollars in the ring. From those
inside, from those who are within throwing
distance: apparently from everywhere, dollars
pour in, without method, without ownership,
without o bargain. SO far as one can Judge
amid the deafening ciamor. When the sums
on the birds are equal the betting master
shouts ''Casadar" matched" literally mar
ried, the farmer from his box ON high wells
.'Larga"-"Ioose them" and the fight begins
Sometimes II lasts ten minutes, sometimes only
second, the first shock leaving one bird a
mangled corpse. No use to describe It-every
one knows how game cock fights and that il
Is the very gamest and Quickest thing that
lives. The fight over the betting master
goes around handing money back reck-
lessly, so 1t seems, to anybody who holds
out hand. / asked Senior Palanca how bet
ting could possibly be carried on like this.
tie replied that each one asks for or takes
the sum that belongs to him. But If any,
body should put out his hand for another's
money! He gave me to understand that il
was never done and that il anybody were de.
tected doing 80 he would probably have q
dozen knives in his body on the spot In
the course OF the afternoon i witnessed 1Os
cock fights. The authorities make large reve.
nue. from the cock pit. For this and one other
Senior Palanca pays SOS 600 a year. and there
are five other farmers. As said it is the CHIEF
interest of the people and their frantic excite
ment tells how deep the interest is.
TWO OTHER "REMINISCENCES
may conclude my sketch of Manila One is
that hundred people were dying every day OF
cholera while was there and several times ms
guide pushed me hastily back against the wall
as We threaded our way along the narrow
streets and stuffed his caInphorated handker-
chief In his mouth, muttering "Colericoi" as
couple of men passed bearing On their shout.
ders long object wrapped in a sheet and sizing
between two poies-the latest case going to the
hospital. One of the Chinese firemen died OF
cholera on board the steamer three hours be-
fore we sailed. The other "reminiscences is tina,
the Thermometer stood at los degrees in the
shade, as saw, and at 100 degrees in the sun
as was told, during my visit.
HENRY NORMAN.
THE FROG MAN.