The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-27
LAND OF THE FILIPINO.


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this city as an apothecary here for
many years and whose brother resides
here still, returned last week from the
Philippine Islands He was in the
United States service in the Philippines
as hospital steward and as apothecary
for fifteen months, nine of which he
was in Cebu and six in Luzon. He has
returned to Sacramento to visit his
relatives and friends. He is looking
remarkably we'll and says he feels as
we'll as he looks.
He evidently improved his opportuni-
ties for observation and his mind is we'll
and intelligently stored with facts con-
corning the Philippines. Mr.. Macfar-
lane saw considerable service in the
field and in battle and was in engage
ments about Manila and in the conflict
with the insurgents when they burned
and looted a large part of one of the
city districts.
He has a very poor opinion of the
insurgents and of the natives, who, he
declares, are insensible of obligations,
do not know the meaning of gratitude,
and are treacherouS and cruel The
stories of their mildness and gentleness
he pronounces fables. OF course, he
adds, there are exceptions, and some
who have had superior advantages and
have risen to better levels of humanity.
He scouts the idea that the working
masses of the islands will ever come
into competition with the wage earn
ers of America. The conditions forbid
it, the nature of the Filipino forbids it,
and, besides, because of the United
States owning the Philippines does not
confer the right upon the Filipino to
come here, even if he wanted to. except
Congress granted that privilege. Mr..
Macfarlane advances still other and
very practical reasons for his belief in
this respect.
Had the method of campaigning now
introduced been adopted by our Govern
ment in the beginning, the Instruction
would have been over long ago, he says,
and only the desire of the Government
to show the people that we were not
making war upon them willingly, and
that we are neither butchers nor de-
stroyers. prevented the later methods
from being earlier adopted; namely,
aggressive and vigorous prosecution of
the war. 1t was unfortunate, also, that
we had not men enough in the Philip
pines early in the trouble, for with
troops in plenty places taken could have
been retained.
The Americans have been very pa
tient and forbearing, he says, despite
the barbarity of the insurgents in arms
in butchering our wounded and of pro-
fessed amigos in betraying u.s. He
believes history will fully justify the
claim that our officers and men have
been far more patient and forbearing
than the troops of any other nation
would have been under similar condi-
lions.
Though greatly hampered by the ig-
norance of the native people concern
ing sanitary laws, the Americans have
done very much in lettering health
conditions in the cities, and in time will
put them in good order and make them
cleanly.
Manila he found 70 be very poorly
drained and many ills are charged Bile
to that cause. When the tide sets in
and checks the flow of the Pasig River
1t backs up into several city districts,
and is the cause largely of unsanitary
conditions. When it is protected from
overflow conditions will change.
1t amazed him to see the contempt
with which the Filipinos meet small
pox. The most of them. in the lower
classes especially, have had it and it
is always prevalent in first one and
then another quarter 1t is much
milder there than with US, and it is no
uncommon thing to see children broken
out with the eruptions running upon
the streets, in the lower quarters. 1t
is feared there only about as much as
measles with us. Dysentery and ma
larial fevers most affect Americans and
the natives are not wholly free from
them.
In his opinion the Philippines will
never be place for colonizing Ameri-
cans. They cannot labor there effect
lively. Such as live there must. as a
rule. be well backed by capital en-
gage in enterprises not calling for out
put of physical energy upon their
part, and they must be able to change
localities and select healthful locations
for themselves
He is confident that the United States
Will pacify the islands and finally bring
the natives to an understanding of our
true character and of our beneficent in
tentions toward them.
Mr.. Macfarlane deplores the death of
General Lawton deeply, saying that of
all the fighting commanders he stood
best among the men and was regarded
as the ablest field leader we had.
rDnvvyr rsxy,e.