Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-03
ECpoEs OF ouR WAR.

The frlars OF the Philippines, against
whom the Tagas and some Americans rail.
receive respectful consideration from two
unprejudiced army men-General Joe
Wheeler and Chaplain McKinnon Of the Call
fornia volunteers. The former is now at the
'front.' the latter has seen service there, in
peace and war. The judgment OF both Is
based on contact with the conditions de-
scribed.
In a letter to relative at Nashville, Cen
eral Wheeler says: THE friars and priests
are charged with all sorts of expressions and
miSdemeanors, but II must be remembered
that friars and priests are very numerous,
and in so large body there will be found
every possible phase Of character and dispo-
sition. Some OF them are no doubt oppres
sors of the people, exacting in the collection
of rentals from the land, indulge themselves
in many ways and lead lives very different
from what should characterize the life OF
priest. But there are very many good men
among them"
Chaplain McKnnon, in a recent lecture,
said of the friars: Whatever the natives
have or are they owe to the friars Every
industry or source OF revenue the natives
have was introduced into the islands by
these same much abused monks.
"They have also done much in the way Of
education. In Manila they have the great
st. Thomas university, in which there are
over 1900 pupils. Then there is the College
OF San Juan Latern with 1,200 pupils the
fine Jesuit colleges, with over 1000 pupils,
besides six fine academies for young women.
There are also thirty-eight small municipal
schools in Manila. In the villages and towns
throughout the archipelago you will find
none without these schools. In fact, there
are but few natives who cannot read and
write"
General Wheeler disputes the claim that
the natives generally are able to read and
write. He says: "The statement that /
have said that 10 per cent of the people OF
Luzon can read and write Is great mis-
take. 1t may be true Of Manila, but it is
not true of the rural districts, and the per-
centage Of iliteracy in the other islands is
much greater than in Luzon The appear
ance, mode OF life and method of perform
ing work is today very much like it is de-
scribed in the bible at the time and even
before the Christian era"
Philadelphia house has on exhibition a
massive loving cup for Admiral Dewey paid
for by 10000 dime subscriptions received by
the New York Journal. The huge silver
trophy is, so far as known, the largest low
ing cup ever made. The cup, exclusive of
the base on which it rests, is of the same
height as the admiral himself, five feet
seven and one-half inches. The base
measures two feet four inches SO that
the height complete is practically eight
feet, while the capacity is twelve gallons,
or nearly half a barrel.
Its general effect is symbolical OF fame
and Of the sea. Its panels show in relief
etchings Of the three principal events in the
life of the foremost American Of his time
his birthplace at Montpelier, VT, the battle
Of Manila bay and the reception to the con-
queror at Grants tomb on Riverside Drive
New York. or height unparalleled in
silver cup it is graceful, symmetrical and
beautifully proportioned. s-
The cup is ovoid, or urn shape. with three
handles and rests on a pedestal triangular
in form, with base ending in three dolphin
heads. The pedestal, an afterthought, made
possible by the receipt OF dimes not ex-
pected, is capstan shape, making a fitting
termination to the whole design. Through
out the cup the sentimental interest attach
ing to the dime contributions is brought for
ward by the use of overlapping dimes In the
border of the removable cover at the bot
tom Of the cup itself, and for the scales OF
the dolphin on the base. u Z,