The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-29
KEEP THE PHILIPPINES
FRANK w. vAILLE, OF THIS CITY,
WRITES FROM MANILA.
AGuinaIdO's Men "HoIdinG Ups Peo-
pIe-The Islands Are Very
Rich.

Northwest district, Is now IN charge OF the
mails for not only the latter district. but
also for Alaska and the Philippine islands.
Before the outbreak Of the war ne estab-
lisned new mail route to the Klondike
region for both winter and summer use.
The plan was made possible by his interest
ing the English government in the project,
and now regular mails are carried by the
two governments Jointly at all seasons of
the year. The new route is from Sltka over
land, and saves many days in time over the
old Yukon river route. When General Mer-
rits army went to the Philippines Mr..
Vaille was sent as the representative of the
government to establish new system OF
postoffices at points where the American
forces were in control.
A letter received a few days ago by At
torney General Taylor tells of Mr.. vaille's
experiences since arriving there, and his
views as to the final disposition of the ISL
andA The letter is dated from Manila,
Oct. IL:
THE temperature Of Manila" says Mr.
Vallle. is very even the year through. I
nave found the nights very comfortable for
one Keeps out Of the sun. There is such
humidity In the atmos ohere that ones un-
c Ge rssss are generally damp and that
natives have q remedy for this, however,
and very simple one, too 1t is TO do
without underclothes. 1 have not yet come
to that but there's no telling what may
happen. Spanish as well as Filipino ladies
walk the streets in sandals and without
ing anyone One sees such apparel, or
lack OF apparel, here that he soon passes
beyond the stage where any unseemingly
exposure of the human form divine can
shock.
DEWEY CHANGED THE ASPECT.
1--WE are all on the anxious seat here re-
garding the disposition that is to be made
of these islands, anxious seat because the
decision means SO much to our country.
Six short months ago I would have bitterly
opposed any proposition to acquire terri
tory out here. Such expansion had no place
at that time in true American sentiment.
Dewey's victory changed the aspect entire
ly. and forced into consideration new con-
dittons. So far as was concerned the Maine
incident was sufficient justification for war
ana had little sympathy with those who
wished TO make 1t war for humanity's
sake. There were many of that class, how
ever. how do they feel about the Philip
pines? Is their humanity broad enough to
cover these islands of Asia well as Cuba?
They know what Spanish rule meant in Cuba
ana am must know that 1t is the same here.
TO certain extent the United States has
encouraged the Filipinos to believe that
Spanish rule was forever ended here Arms
were gwen them by us. TO turn around
would be too base an act for any civilized
nation to commit Whether we will, or not,
we are forced by our regard for humanity,
Tor honor and for common decency to keen
these people from feeling the vengeance Of
Spain. As an Independent government do
not believe 1t could exist, for no people yet
ever escaped from long years of Spanish
rule and found itself able to erect and MAIN
tam a stable government. They revolt from
the spanish system, but, when free, find
mat spanish ways are the only ways known
to them.
This is being exempIifed right here in
the organization which Aguinaldo is main
tanning under the name OF the Filipino re-
public. took q ride out into the country
the other day and at bridge over a small
stream were stationed Filipino soldiers who
collected toll from every native crossing the
bridge This is one instance only. 1 have
heard or many other means adopted to raise
money by holding up" the people. They
need money, they know how the Spaniards
used to get 1t and that sufiices for them.
If man has cattle, rice or anything needed
II is seized for the good of the cause.
we cannot let these people go it alone.
This conclusion came to before had seen
much Of the country and | think you will
agree that Spain ought not to regain them
and that they cannot be left to themselves.
A protectorate Is. to my thinking, not to be
any responsibility here for the tets of a
people whose only training in government
has been received from Spain. SeIf-protec-
ton justifies that
The only way left is for us to bravely
take up the burden that we inherited with
Deweys victory and carry the9e islands
along until it shall have become evident that
the people are sufficiently we'll grounded In
the principles of good government to be able
to maintain government of their own.
ISLANDS VERY RICH.
These island are very rich. / have had
chance to see quite section OF Luzon and
really do not think have seen in the
United States anything that surpasses it.
There is railroad here 125 miles long-as
well built as any road west of the Missis-
sippi-the highest point on which is but $50
feet above sea level. The valley 1t extends
through is from fifty to seventy-five miles
wide and nearly as level as floor There
are other and more extensive valleys In
Luzon. The soil Is rich and great variety of
produce can be raised. Rice, coffee, tobacco,
cotton, oranges, bananas, cocoanuts, sugar
cane and all tropical fruits and grains. The
natives have discovered how fond the av-
erage American Is of peanuts and peddlers
ara selling them all over the city. Here the
bamboo iiourishes, and it IS truly a Won
derful wood. From its fiber the natives
make hats far superior to anything in the
way of n straw hat to be found in the
states. II Is used for every purpose that
wood can DO put to nearly. There are great
forests here of rich hardwoods that would
make the finest kind of furniture. English
men who live here say there is every rea-
son to believe that the mountains are rich
in gold. Natives in some parts of Luzon
island earn as much as 81 n day In gold
and this in places distant from the noun
tains. There is coal on I4uzon and on other
Islands OF the group. The natives are not
altogether desirable, but they are in many
respects like the Japanese, quick to learn
Those have in the office are generally will
ing workers.
'"rhe story books / read coming out told
me about the cock fights here, and l got
the impression that every native carried a
bird under his arm and / would be able
TO see tights on every corner. Alas l am
anxious to see one but as yet have not
been able to find any one who can put me
ON. Why is 1t that the fellows who write
books of travel are such internal liars? L
know / would have no trouble in seeing all
the cock fights l wished to In the States,
but here, where l was told the natives
would sell their shirts to keep a fighting
cock, I can see none. There may be hope
for me- however. 1t has just occurred to
ma that the author may be right and that
this accounts Tor the lack or apparel pre-
they keep their fighting birds well out of
sight. Wages here are low, very low, but
ILL., FA~ It'll