Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-05-09

struggle almost alone. There are oc-
caslonal outbreaks in Mindanao.
Ihere was severe earthquake in
Leyte and the Spaniards convinced
the natives that it was an instance of
the wrath of God against them.
The people of Manila have gradually
yielded to Spanish influence. The
leaders found they could not depend
upon them. Spain pursued a clever
policy in intimidating the leaders in
Luzon and then permitting them to
escape. Yet Manila is the only por-
ton Of the island where Spaniards have
been holding undisturbed possession.
All along the coast the Malays are
strong Their system of holding the
bays and inlets is so bold that the
Spaniards have never overcome it.
Spanish officers no longer risk sail
IN native craft. Luzon coast men
lure them out and kill them without
conjunction.
The Philippine islands are about
l5,OOO miles away by the sea route
that must be travelled to reach them
from New York. The islands, contain
an area of about three and a half
times that of Cuba, and considerably
larger surface than Great Britain. OF
the population majority are the ma
tive Indians, who are only semi-civil-
lied. Many of them are still governed
practically by their native princes.
In Manila, the capital, and at the
ports of Zeba and Iloilo have happened
those terrible exhibitions known ar
running amuck.' In these the native
Indian turns himself loose armed with
knives, revolvers or other weapons,
and rushes along a crowded thorough
fare Staying as he goes, until he is
finally killed like mad dog. 1t was
two of these Manila Indians who ran
amuck on the American ship Frank N.
Thayer few years ago, killed or
wounded the entire crew, and set the
ship on afre When they had done
all the damage they could they jumped
into the sea.
The great enemy of the Span
ish soldier here is epidemic dis
ease. Never before has typhus ragged
so fercely as last summer Typhoid
has held almost equal sway, owing to
the unsanitary condition of things
forced by the Spaniards. 1t lis as
bad in the Spanish barracks as any
where else. Cholera carried off more
natives than Spaniards, except when
the latter tried to penetrate into the
interior Then they died by hundreds
Spain does not realize what havoc has
been made among her troops, or if
she does realize it she has shown sur
prising Indifference. The hospital ac-
cOmmodations are of the worst posi-
bic character and the medical corps
inadequate. During the last year it
is estimated that $4,000 people have
persisted by earthquake, more than
$4,000 in a single earthquake at Leyte
The Philippines are waiting for
| civilization. So far as assistance in
gaining freedom is concerned, the
Philippines are not nearly so badly off
as Cuba. 1t is impossible for Spain
to land and maintain for six months
$4,000 soldiers in Luzon, and an army
of less than that number would be
valuable property. 1t is a pity that
they are so remote that people on this
continent and in Europe know little
about them. They would have been
nearly lost sight of if the natives had
not rebelled against the tyranny of
Spain. They want to be ruled by an
enlightened government, having the
United States and Great Britain par
ticularly in mind. The nation that
gets possession of the Philippines will
secure rich prize. There 4are large
tracts of rich lands. The mineral re-
sources are apparently illimitable
The natives are industrious, and with
fair government would labor to de-
velop their resources. The climate is
a drawback to emigration from
Europe, but doubtlessly there would
be any number of people willing to
risk it. The rainy season usually lasts
from May to October, with occasional
intervals of b1istering sunshine
There are 81 islands of considerable
size in the Philippines group Their
area exceeds that of Great Britain
Large areas are suitable for wheat.
There are eight ports open to COM
merce. The principal exports are
hemp, sugar, rice, tobacco, cigars, cof-
fee and cocoa. Previous to the rebel
lion the annual value of the sugar out
put was $4,000, 900. Now it is almost
nil
Manila bay is 25x30 miles in size
and Manila is located on it some II
miles distant from Cavite, the scene Of
the great naval battle. The city has
100000 population and has vast
churches, university with 500 stu
dents, royal marine school, the SUI
preme courts, and extensive manufac-
tories.
1Nbo loot national onOcuc IF Rel