The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-03

times have they used it as a fort when
attacked.
The great enemy OF the Spanish soldier
| here is epidemic diseases. Never before
has typhus ragged so ferceiy as last summer.
| Typhoid has held almost equal sway, ow-
| ing to the unsauitary condition of things
| forced by the Spaniards. It Is as bad in
| the Spanish barracks as anywhere else,
| Cholera carries off more natives than Span
iaasds, except when the latter tried to PEN
| citrate into the interior. Then they died by
the hundreds.
Spain does not realize what havoc has
been made amo1g her troops, or If she does
realize 1t she has shown surprising lndif-
ference. The hospital accommodations are
of the worst possible character and the
medical corps inadequate.
During the last year It is estimated that
so 900 people have persisted by earthquake,
more than 1900 In a single earthquake at
Leyte
l believe tie revolt in the Philippines is
the most serioIs that Spain has had TO
deal with since the loss of Mexico. The
Spanish people will be as completely as
simulated lv the natives as were the Por-
tusuese al Goa A more energetic race
must take the islands. The PHILIPPINES are
waiting for civilization.
So far ! assis. ance in gaining freedom Is
concerned the Philippines are not nearly
SO badly OF as Cuba. It is impossible for
Spain &c land and maintain for six months
so, 9c0 soldiers ~ Luzon. and an army of less
than tina. number would be useless.
TIE Philippines are very valuable prop
erty. 1t is pity that they are SO remote
that people on this continent and in Europe
know little bout them. They would have
been nearly losf sight of if the natives had
not rebelled against the tyranny of Spain.
n ey wait &c be ruled by an enlightened
government having the United States and
Great Britain particularly In mind.
The nation that gets possession of the
Philippines v ill secure a rich prize There
are large tracrs of rich lands. The mineral
resources ara apparently unlimitable. The
natires are Industrious. and with fair
government would labor to develop their re-
sources. The climate is a drawback to
emigration fIcm Europe, but doubtless
thsre wouI1 be any number of people will
ing - risk IL. The rainy season usually
lasts from May to October, with occa-
sional intervals of blistering sunshine.
2 There are thrty-one islands of considera-
BILE size in the Philippine group. Their
area exceeds that Great Britain Pine
and fir trees are abundant. Large areas
are suitable for wheat. There are eight
ports open to commerce. The principal
exports are hemp, sugar. rice, tobacco,
cigars, coffee and cocoa. Previous to the
rebellion the annual value of the sugar out
put was $50, 600. Now it is almost nil.
The population of the islands is about g.
Luzon, the insurgent stronghold. Spain
lost her chance with them in the Philip.
pines as in Cuba. few years ago 1t
might have been arranged. Now there is
no chance of reconciliation. The Philip
pines, as they are called, did not ask
great deal. They wanted representation in
the cortes; reform in the island and tax
system of the islands; curtailment of the
civil powers of the friars; recall of over
bearing Spanish officials in behalf of an
honest and efficient government Their de-
mands were treated with contumely
The story of the Philippine rebellion vies
with the history of the Cuban struggle in
the record of martvrdom and brave deeds.
DIR. Jose Rizel- and the men under his COM
mand have made records that the public
will know more about by and by One
leader who was led out to be shot managed
to get his bound hands to his head a mo-
ment before the word given to fire.
He took off his hat and shouted, Viva re-
public de Filipinas, just as his bullet-rd-
died body dropped to the ground. I have
been told many such stories.
About one year and a half ago agents of
the insurrectionists appealed to the gov
eminent at Washington to intervene in
their behalf. The petition was received and
filed. The United States had Spanish
trouble enough then. The islanders are fun
of gratitude to this country for what it has
done and is doing for Free Cuba but
they do not want to be left out in the cold.
The petition sets forth at length grievances
against Spain, as they have been told by
the Post-Dispatch's commissioner In this
communication. The interference of Uncle
Sam In their affairs comes sooner than they
dreamed of.