The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-12
Nonolulu and Manila.

Lieut. W. G.. Davis, who some time
ago was stationed at Fort Henry,
Baltimore, writes under date Of June
% from Manila, to Mr. Charles r
Wilcox. of Baltimore.
81 did not have any time in san
Francisco 10 run around, for al
though we were there two days ! bad
been appointed regimental quartor-
master aboard the train and had to
superintend the embarkation Of the
troops, assignment of hunks, and
loading Of our supplies.
"The weather after leaving S1n
Francisco was fresh aud cool, and
our ship rolled pretty hard, and Il
great many were seasick. / fortu
nately prove TO be a veteran sailor,
not missing n meal (nor losing one).
After the third day we were out OF
The high trade wind region, and the
sea was very smooth all the way
over, sometimes as smooth as glass.
We stayed about three days al
Honolulu, taking on provisions, coal
and water. The weather there was
very hot, but nothing ke Baltimore
summer heat. The Island Of Oahu,
on which Honolulu is built, is Of vol
canic origin, and runs up to quite a
peak.
THE soil is exceedingly rich, aud
where water for irritation can be OBJ
tanned immense crops of sugar are
raised. The city of Honolulu is most
beautifully laid out, the streets well
macadamized, and the grounds a
perfect paradise Of tropical vegeta
ton, most beautiful to look at.
Everything there is on boom, and
real estate is held at simply ridlcul
Gus prices. Sugar lands have be-
come immensely valuable, and sugar
stock has about trebled itself in the
last few months, and the whole place
seems specul alton mad. Oar officers
there are having dickens Of time
in obtaining quarters. An 'ornery'
houses such as would hardly rent for
Slj a month in Baltimore, COM
mauds about 5000 a month in Homo
lulu. Some day, however, the bubble
will burst, property will take on nor
NAL aud reasonable values, ,snd Hon
olulu will be a desirable place either
10 live in or TO visit.
"Well, as you doubtless saw il
the Baltimore papers, we arrived
here on the 18TH Of last month.
81 have been most happily dlssp
pointed in the city and climate.
nave never felt better in my Life
We have been through the two hot
test months of the year, May and
Jc. 9,snd never felt uncomfortable
At night 1t cools of and | fad g
blanket necessary. The hottest day
have seen the thermometer stood
at IS degrees in the shade. Ii Is
nothing like as hot here as We have
1t in the eastern part of the Uniied
States. Manila is a we'll paved city
aud is good town for business and
7 think has a great future before 1t
The country about is surprisingly
rich and fertile. We are in the
midst of the rainy season, and nearly
every day it rains, usually in the
early evening. Today we are hav'
ing a hard soaking rain, but so far
the rains have been no more numer-
ous nor severe than what we have in
the States Nothing like what the
Fifth Maryland boys had in camp
PimlicO.
at is all rot to say white man
can't live here and work here. de
can, but it is 20 place for a white
laboring man for the present There
is a great glut in the labor market.
The natives work very well, content
with their 40 cents Mexican GO cents
American per day, and manage to
1--we on it and support families. They
wear scarely any clothiDg, and no
shoes. Even the high toned wear
very little. 1t is not needed, for it is
never cold here, and the thinest gar
ment can be used the year around.
But the white man cannot compete
in their lines. But for the skilled
mechanic, who can act as foreman
and superintend, etc, and the pro-
fessionsl man, there are going to be
fine opportunities afforded here, also
for the business man