St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-09-10

"AIeiAG from the Phillpplnes,
gives an interesting description OF the
islands and their natives and cites
some OF the causes that have led UP to
the revolution. Speaking OF the sit
uat1on he says that Admiral Dewey is
In complete command, and, continuing
says:
Communication with the shore Is
easy, thanks to the permission of the
admiral who has shown most remark
abie powers of administration under
anomalous circumstances. 1t must be
understood that Spanish rule still pre-
walls. and that there are about $4,000
troops in the capital. 1t is said that
the government has enrolled about
100000 volunteers, but this, take it, is
brag. 1t would mean that it had reen-
forced the insurgents with that num-
ber Of men.
Here, then, is Dewey. with his small
squadron. not only overawing the
heavy odds of Spanish troops, but in
possession of the harbor and prevent
ing the arrival of supplies. Hunger, or
rather famine, will render any man
desperate, but, although there is some
stealing and robbery, yet the city is
kept in remarkably good order, but
only on account of Dewey's presence.
1t Is, however, not safe for stranger
to perambulate the almost deserted
streets, and more dangerous, of course,
to go openly as an American CORE
spondent. Letters of introduction
from Shanghai friends to an old and
wealthy German resident left the inn
preston that am here in the interest
of German paper. and have taken
excellent care not to destroy that illu-
sion. The consequence is that the
Spanish officers 10 whom have been
introduced talked with freedom.
A walk through the business part of
the city has a depressing influence.
The Plaza del Padre Morago and the
Rosario are deserted save for the
staggering, fierce-looking Spanish
officer, who has not yet realized that
Othello's occupation is gone. These
officers, one and all, are convinced that
Europe will interfere to prevent the
despoiling Of Spain. They talk Of kin
dred races, and Ia the same breath
mention the absolute certainty OF Ger
man intervention. 1t is all nonsense,
Of course, the attitude of England is
such that no European power will dare
Ioniy mention the tenor of these con-
versation. to show that all self-reli-
ance of the Spaniards is utterly gone.
doubt very much If cur troops will
have to fight, Notwithstanding the fact
that the very existence of the Span
iards is al stake. There is no ghost OF
4 doubt that every inhabitant OF Ma
nila. excepting those who boast OF be-
ing born in Spain, is an insurgent or
eympathizer with the insurrection.
These people will not talk to me. being
suspicious of the company frequent,
but can readily account for the
hatred prevailing against all that is
Spanish.
Native PHILIPPINES, residing In Mad
rid, expressed their grievances In an
address to the Spanish people. 1t con-
tains extracts from the Philippine
budget for the last administrative year
f1S06-97) and enumeratex the follow
ing crying complaints. Quoting from
the budget it states that the Philippine
treasury pays heavy contribution to
the general expenses Of the govern
ment at Madrid; pays pensions to Duke
de varagua (our guest during tie Co
lumbian exhibition) and to the mar
uuis of Bedmar, besides those OF the
suIfans aud native chiefs of the islands
of Sulu and Mindanao; it provides for
fhe entire cost of the Spanish con-
sulates at Peking, Toxic, Hong Kong
Singapore. Saigon, Yokohama ard Mel
bourne; for the STAN and material OF
the minister Of the colonies, including
the purely ornamental council OF the
ph;linnines: the expenses OF support
inr the colony of Fernando 20. in
Asr;cn. and all the pensions and retir-
,nu allowances of the civil and military
cmnloyes who have served in the Phil
;nnines. amounting to the sum OF I'll
10000 year.
What = milch cow these islands have
been to the Spaniards! What host
Of ignorant, idle hidalgos have fst-
tened upon huge sums diverted iro"
shc unfortunate workers.
And what has Spain done In return
The document from which translate
this states the facts with scathing
h;untness: "More than $ls,OOO,OOO u
shc amount consigned in the Philip
nine budget for that year. but not .
r.n,v is allowed for public works.
h;e,,ways. bridges, or public buildings
and only $1,000 for scientific studies
Indispensable repairs. rivers and ca
n.Ix while the amount set apart for
religious purposes and clergy amounts
- nearly 81 400, 600. This sum does not
;pclude the amounts paid to the clergy
for baptisms, marriages, sale OF In
dnlrences, papal bulls and scaPoiaries'
which exceed the government allow
ances. The magnificent sum OF S4O,'
600 IS set apart ae subvention 10 reii.
,..ov companies and new proJects OF
r.;ixays. but the College for Francis
can monks in Spain and the transpor-
t.tion Of priests comes in for $ee.Oo'
r. seems really as II the world had
oone back three centuries ana ~ y
I've were living In the time OF bloody
philip II, after whom these most un-
fortnnate islands were named. Blk
thousand dollars for all new improve
ments, yet the choir Of the Manila
cathedral receives $4,000, and $oo'ooo Is
81 an.rt for the support OF the catne-
am Public instruction, mciudine
n.y.l scientific. technical and art
.shoo,. must be maintained At . gross
.~ren.e Of $so, 1000, and from this pit
-. mnseums, libraries. the OBJ
.-rvstory and : special chair In the
University Of Madrid must be paid.
Add 10 this the squeezing and peema-
t;on @ Of every Spanish oiiciai from the
.ov-rnor-seneral down to the lowest
ss,s..ciI and 1t = no wonder that these
~ tc,,le robbed right and left Of the
t-.it. a. their toll. hate the spaniaro
:, .nd 4 Vim have no more Of Spanish rule
acknowledge that I was NOT pre-,
.:.,.,sed in favor Of our good friend
"a sIly. DON Emilio Aguinaido ,
I'm, . or Gen. Aguinaldo. ~ he =