The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-22
IN THE CITY OF MANILA
AN INDIANAPOLIS BOYS ACCOUNT OF
THE PLACE AND THE PEOPLE.
Little Business Done I'm the Middle of
the Day-PIeasing scenes in Even
ing HOurs-QueeE People.


surprised the American army or invasion
when at last, upon the 18th day of August.
the Spanish forces were swept aside and
the men entered Manila. For weeks many
of the men had lain idle in camp, the only
diversion from the menotony of the routine
life being the not infrequent excursions
into the surrounding country. In this way
an acquaintance had been made with native
customs. habtations and domestic para
phernala. Consequently, upon entering Ma
Mia. there was little in the houses them
selves, with the exception, perhaps, of their
size and modern appearance. to excite the
wonders of our men. The things, however.
which created the greatest number of COM
ments were the size and cleanliness, the
broad streets and modern aspect, subdued
by the Oriental trimmings and Oriental at
mosphere of the city of Manila itself For
over a month we had been encamped only
two short miles away from an immense
city, and not until we had entered and
marched mile after mile over smooth streets
and between rows of buildings did we real
iZe the extent of Manila. 1t is a city whose
modern tendencies are overshadowed, al
most buried, in the indolent atmosphere of
the Orient. It's streets are wide. but defy
all rules of the straight lines. Only occa-
sionally, where the natives hold forth on
market days, are narrow, ill-paved or
poorly lighted streets or alleys to be found.
The houses are built squarely against the
sidewalks. presenting to the casual caller
only high wall, broken with wide and lat
ticed windows above, and iron-barred win
dows below. The door consists of large,
doube-paneled entrance Another and
smaller door is built in this. The former is
opened only at the egress or ingress of the
couches and the latter for the convenience
of pedestrians. 1t is safe to assert, how
ever, that the servants make the most use
of the smaller door, the proprietors of the
house scarcely ever venturing forth afoot.
The houses themselves are built almost en-
tirely upon one plan of architecture, plan
which the heat and frequent earthquakes
have thoroughly demonstrated to be wise
and we'll conceived. The entrance opens di-
rectly upon a driveway, paved with large
square stones. which runs through the build
ing TO the stables in the rear. This drive
way is usually some ten feet wide, and stair
ways lead from one or both sides to the
living apartments above. Tile flooring, or
flooring OF teakwood, now takes the place
of the flagstone. The apartments are open,
the windows, working in grooves, forming
the entire side of the house. Thus cool
and refreshing breeze is gained The win
dows are not fitted with glass, but with
specie of thin shell. These small lights adj
nit the suns rays only in subdued tones,
thereby shielding the occupant from the
fierce heat of a tropical sun.
In but few instances are the interior dec
orations extensive. The thin walls are
usually painted, frequently frescoed, but
scarcely ever papered. No carpets are used.
Iaf4f fnrx els
ployed. The furniture is simple, and in
most cases almost severe. The beds are
formidable affairs defying the most earnest
endeavors of sleepy European to gain the
coveted early posture which induces rest
They are low concerns, the only mattress
consisting of a rattan bottom, the bed
clothing of one or more sheets and a pill
low. The whole continuance is covered with
mosquito netting. One nights Incarceration
In the machine usually suffioes to suppress
other articles of furniture are wardrObes and
chairs, the latter easy reclining, rattan arti-
cles, and far more pleasant than the beds.
ORIENTAL SCENES. +
The streets, as said before, are wide and
clean. The sidewalks, consisting of flag
stones or cement, are not more than three
or four feet wide. 1t is here, along the main
streets, that one observes the Oriental char
acteristics of Manila. The coIored clothing
Of the natives, the white suits of the for
egners, the fans and sun shades passing
back and FORTH the noise of sandals or light
tread of slippered feet and the air of indo-
lence and deliberation of movement all tend
to enliven the picture one already has
formed of Oriental habits and customs. To-
ward nightfall however, the streets become
more crowded Having slept during the
afford the luxury order out their coaches
and ponies, and the men in white, the
women bareheaded and attired in light and
flmy garments, are driven by native
fares, pausing only here and there for a
purchase or cooling refreshment. At night
a half-hundred varieties of bush and tree
take on a darker green here and the orders
OF flowers, opening out to the darkness float
through the cooling breeze 1t is the liveli-
est hour of all the day, for man and for
nature, the hour before sunset in Manila.
Merchants open wide their half-closed
and the business of the day begins. Manila
stores are very much like Manila houses.
The larger esta blishments are under the
control Of French, German and English
merchants and these. from long residence
in the country, have become acclimated and
to a greater or less extent dependent upon
themselves to be overcome with the one
distinctly Oriental feature of Manila-the
avoidance of heat and exposure and the air
of Incidence and abandon"
A race hated and despised, but at the
same time envied by the natives, are the
Chinese. The laZiness and general IMPROVE
dence of the Spaniards and natives have
been the stepping-stones whereby the
Chinese have prospered. Although their
stores are mere booths and only smaller and
cheaper articles of trade are handled the
active and capable Chinaman has become
the chief merchant of the Philippines and
especially of Manila. "A financier of no
mean dimensions, aStute and quick in bust
ness transactions and fearless of labor the
balance of the material power has fallen to
their hands. The Chinese have never OPEN
~ rebelled against the Spaniards. Though
the heavy and unjust hand of taxation fell
heaviest upon them, they never sought to
pacate their enemies. Ostensibly they rec
ognized Spanish rule and government hum
bly, bowed to 1t, but, in their widespread
ing sleeves, Slyly they hooted and sneered
at 1t. OF the natives in Manila, those who
work are engaged in working in horn gold
and silver, the manufacture of cigars. cigar
cases and of hats. Their work is skilfuly
done and their manipulation of leather, es-
pecially is most clever. ShawlS of the most
delicate texture and handkerchiefs wrought
from the fiber of the pineapple leaves are
among the most curious productions
On the streets of Manila one may see one
OF the most motley assemblies in the far
East. Two hundred thousand souls find
home and board in the city. Spaniards and
other Europeans Malays Chinese Siamese
negT1tos meStizOS and a few Americans
crowd the thOroughfareS of this most cos
mopolitan capital The mestizos are the
great middle class. They are half-castes of
somewhat doubtful origin, but inferior in in
telligence to the natives and have been the
leaders in all the rebellions. The negritos
owe their origin to the wild tribes infesting
the mountains-veritable little giants. who
have never felt the Spanish yoke and know
no government or rule save that of powder
nd n lilo hon