The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-16
Letter from Manila.

Below are extracts from private letters
written by Frank III. Foster, electrician,
Company A, battalion engineers, United
States army, to his ia her, K. l.. Foster of
New York city. The company is IN station
at Manila, Philippine Islands
EsMANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Oct. 3,
'98-Since we received our newspapers last
week we feel more at home, for they all
lead US to believe that we are ON American
soil, and that the islands are not to be- given
up. ALI this brings more forcibly to the
light the future business and money-making
possibilities now obscured, but which are
yet wrapped up in this city. For your in
formation / will give you an idea of the ex-
listing conditions, which certainly must and
will be improved. There is here vast,
undeveloped wealth in minerals, hemp and
tobacco, which, when the islands are under
an American administration, will show
great beneficial results We have not per-
sonally been In the mountains, nor have
talked with anyone who has direct knowl-
edge of the conditions, bat that gold is
there in abundance Seems to be an unques-
toned fact. The nearest mountains to
Manila are twelve miles distant, but they
seem to be as foreign to the Inhabitants OF
the city and coast AZ if they we're thou.
sand miles away. The Spdniards do not
venture there for any industrial purpose,
because, in my belief, they find it easier aud
more in accord with their tastes to Cypress
and tax the natives than to labor them
selves. They seem to be natural-born Office
holders.
The natives do not venture into the inteIi-
or because of their inability TO organizes and
combat successfully the almost savage
tribes that inhablt the mountains and who
fight with the bow and arrow and blow
pipes.
The Chinese have made some most sue
cessful incursions into the mountains, but
have been prohibited from doing 80 by the
from taking their gold away. There are
three mining companies here on the island,
but they are operated by foreigners and we
hear little about them. The tobacco grown
here l believe Is quite unknown to Ameri-
cans. The quality seems to be very uni
form and judge would rank next TO the
very best Havana, although it has decid
eddy different flavor from Cuban tobacco.
To me il is preferable. We purch ase here
in the La Insular cigar factory Tin which
building we are Quartered) 100 cigars for
$3.50 Spanish silver, equal TO 80 cents
United States coiD) and i'll my opinion the
cigar is quite equal to the ordinary ten cent
cigar sold in Nav York. | doubt not thai
some enterI rising Americans will yet find a
profit 10 Manila tobacco.
ing TO work, but their sluggishness aud in
ability to comprehend the touch and go re-
quirements OF an American is sometimes
very exasperating. In other words, there
is no push in them, and they don't want
any. For instance; One goes into place
of business - store, restaurant, saloon
and although the place may be flooded
with servants and attendants, it is next to
impossible to awaken them out their dreams
or lethargy to wait upon you, and you must
almost beg and pltai to get any service
whatever. This may be quite satisfactory
to Spaniards or other foreigners but it is
tantalizing to one accustomed to live in an
American city.
There is an ice plant here but from the
quantity OF ice that have seen 1t must be
very small. man with cold storage
plant would have bonanza. The water is
bad and will have to be improved in some
manner The new city is very low and
would have to be graded over again. Fifty
per cent of the buildings and native houses
would be condemned by both health Of
ficer and a building inspector. Seventy five
per cent would not be- passed by tire
Underwater. The horse car liaes, of which
there are two, would have the Bergh 30
ciety after them TO begin with, but aside
from that the service would meet all re-
ouirements for while, with a small add.
tional Expense. The cars, while lot up TO
date, are serviceable and the road bed and
rails, must say, are in far better condi-
dition, aud kept 80, than on any road where
l have been employed. You may know
this when l say that one very lank pony,
no higher than my shoulder, is all that is
ries most OF the time from twenty five 10
thirty passengers. There are no grades
whatever except where the streets are
raised to cross bridge. AT these places
one or two extra horses are used. In
crossing the bridges the car is first stopped
about block away, an extra horse Is
hitched on, a man il stationed on either
side of the horses with lash. The driver
has lash and tin whistle that makes a
| noise like steam siren. The Car is started
| the horses are dashed, the whistle is blown
| and tho men shout until the Car reaches the
top of the grade-which usaully happens
after several attempts have been made
The road is divided into sections OF about
one-half mile eac 4, and for each section two
or three confines is the fare. The cars are
far between, and IL is very uncertain on
which day they will run and which they
will not The steam road is not heard Of
much and doubt whether IL il doing much
business at present, probably because of the
| interference of Aguinaldo, who has inter-
| fered with the affairs of the army in the
neighboring districts, and with the business
| coming into the city. There Is a very good
| electric light plant, whi'h a orrcan.
havs done my hest looking over the
| oountry for a untarfAli that uynuld niuh