The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-28
NATIVES MORE FRIENDLY.
Flag Lieutenant, Eberly Tells of the
Transformation mt Manila.

WASHINGTON. July 27.--Lieut. Eberly,
flag lieutenant of the Oregon under Capt.
Barker, has arrived in Washington from the
Philippines and brings some interesting de-
tails of the situation in Manila Lieut..
Eberly says the social and sanitary condi-
tons in Manila are better than is generally
believed in the United States and better
than would naturally be supposed after such
short American occupation. The city has
been cleaned up on an American plan, the
military authorities engineering the work
with large force OF Cinnamon and friend
ly Filipinos. The Cinnamon are relied on
for the heavy manual labor. The streets
have been cleared of ancient Accommodations
of filth and there has been a house to house
inspection which is still continuing There
has been more or less native opposition to
these innovations, but the people are begin
ming to see the value Of the new measures
and to accept the change from the old order.
In this connection he says it is favor
able sign that the temper of the native pop
ulation has changed considerably toward
American occupation. When the Oregon ar
rived in March the native population was
dissatisfied and in an ugly humOr, even in
the city itself. Cab drivers. hotel keepers
and other semi-public servants rendered
service under protest and even turned down
American trade in some instances. Now,
however, they have found out that they are
paid, thing they did not seem to be used
to, and finding American official promises
carried out they accept the new sovereign
ty cheerfully.
Compulsory vaccination created some OPP
position among the natives at first, but it's
beneficial effects being apparent, 1t has also
been accepted. Lieutenant Eberly says that
the health of Manila is exceptionally good
and that even among the troops on shore
there was little sickness from anything but
heat prostration.
One of the most important naval moves
has been the distribution of the thirteen little
tin-cladS'' among the big vessels of the
fleet on various stations. Through these
small craft he says there is an effective
blockade of the whole of Luzon and some
boats have been sent to Mindanao Negroes
Cebu and Palawan. Most of the smuggling
Of arms. ammunition and food since
the arrival of the American squadron
has been done In small schooners
known as bankers" which can run
through the island channels where the
fleet could not follow them. The 'tin-clad
patrol boats have been doing business with
these swimmers of the seas recently, one
patrol boat rounding up thirteen bankers
in a single trip. 1t is thought that in a
shor; time Aguinaldo will be reduced to a
supply of purely homemade ammunition.
The soldiers in and around Manila are now
hell housed in permanent quarters or neipe
houses. which are built on a bamboo frame
work and are cool and dry. Even on the
outworks the soldiers had comfortable palm
huts before the rains set in and except for
the intense heat were very comfortable.
The rains had not started In earnest when
Captain Barker and Lieutenant Eberly
sailed for home. II was well understood
then that the rains would cut off all trans
portation except by railway and that is
given as the reason for Lawton's abandon
ing San Isidro, there being a big swamp be-
tween ii and the railway that is impassa BILE
during the rainy season.
The only animal available for transporta-
ton during the wet weather is the water
buffalo. but the army has utilized this docile
beast for other purposes, having established
thriving vaccine farm on the outskirts of
Manila and reaping fine quality of virus
from the buffalo calves.