Evening star., 1898-10-05
LAZY LIFE AT MANILA
Experience of a Washingtolian Who Went
With General Merritt.
Less Than Four Hours a Day Work
Climate Much Better Than Was Ex-
pected-Health of Troops Good.

A young Washirgtonian who accompa-
MED Gen. Merritt's expedition from San
Francisco to the Philippines has written
an interesting letter to friend in this city
in regard to the condition of affairs in
Manila.
"Of course you know, he says, "all about
the surrender of Manila, so l won't waste
time trying to write you an account of 1t.
l will say, however, that during the bonn
bardment ] was with Gen. Merritt on Ad-
mral Dewey's dispatch boat Lafiiro, which
took part in the battle-that is, Gen. Mer-
ritt, with the aid Of wig-wag signals, di-
rected the movements of the land forces.
We landed from the Belgium consuPs
launch and with no escort walked UP to
the city, where the governor general was
waiting for us. The place of meeting was
in a large church. but the capitulation pa
pers were prepared and signed in the city
hall. We entered the town about o'clock,
and at 5:45 the generals flag was floating
over the city hall, and Old Glory on the fort
supporting the big guns. In less than an
hour after getting into the city hall the
street in front was a perfect mass of
Mauser and Remington rifles, as we'll as
hundreds of horses. Well, here l am going
on about the events of August IL in the
Philippines. Inferring that the press cor
respondents down here have sent full re-
ports home III stop.
Health of Troops Good.
THE climate here is not one-tenth as
bad as 1 expected to find it. OF course the
sun is intense, but only foolish people will
expose themselves to it. There is consd-
cradle moisture in the air. and 1 have to
watch my clothes constantly to keep them
from mildewing. The health of the troops
is excellent. l am far from infatuated with
the capital of the Philippines. To me the
people appear to be living in the fifteenth
century. There are no modern barber shops
"a shampoo is unknown here and so is
decent chair. The horse cars-tram cars
look like toys All the horses are mere
ponies. There is good electric light plant,
and l am surprised that the the trolley or
underground system is not in vogue. The
Spaniards all seem glad that we have taken
the city. they were in dire need of every
thing, and it will be a long while before the
city has sufficient supplies to meet the most
meager demands. AT present about the
only thing that Is cheap is labor. The Span
ish officers say they have been eking out
an existence on dog meat, although the
troops look the picture of health. They
are all clamoring to get back to Spain. The
officers selling their household effects,
horses, carriages, etc, for practically moth
ing.
Insurgents Well Organized.
The insurgents here are apparently well
organized. AS near as l can learn, they
number about 1900 with arms. Agu:naldo
seems bent on getting into the city and
declaring himself governor general He
processes great friendship for us. The Span
iards are very much afraid of the insur-
gents and say If they ever get into the city
they will murder right and left. The insur-
gents and Spaniards are certainly very bit
ter toward each other.
Gen. Merritt and his personal staff are
quartered in the country palace of the gov
ernor general. 1t is situated on the Pasig
river about two miles from town, and is a
beautiful place Their office is in the house
formerly occupied by the secretary of Au-
gusti. 1t adjoins the grounds Of the pal
ace. When one looks at these costly man
sions and public buildings, coupled with
the numerous Spanish officers, it is easy to
understand how necessary it has been to
tax the people as they have been taxed.
Taking Life Easy.
I'VE have a good table, fine horses and
carriages, and. in short, everything one
could desire. 1t was a very Inonotonous
trip across the Pacific, though the New
port made a remarkably quick trip. Down
here We try to take life easy. Just think.
noon Then in the afternoon after tiffin
/ take a s!esta. About 5 l have my horse
saddled and go for ride. returning in time
to take shower bath and dress for dinner
1t all sounds very lovely, but l would be
better satisfied at home, and l can't get
there any too soon."