The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-03


though It is with great reluctance that
they can be induced TO talk about the
war With strangers, They have heard
in vague sort OF a way something Of
the recent history Of their native coun'
try, and some few express the desire
that Il should be free
DO you like the SpanIards1" was ask
ed Of group OF old men.
"Me like Spaniari? Me like a
snakeg The spaniari steal our money,
Take all we have. No one In Manila
like a Spaniard Me no like Spaniard
! Dewey good man; he give Manila people
friendship" were the replies which
came from many sources all at once.
The writer landed few days ago
| from little steamer ON the Island of
Clarkeheniere, armed with a camera,
and was greeted with very bad grace at
first. but the coloniSts were soon won
over to amiability. Soon Il became
noised around that white stranger had
landed In the colony 10 take pictures.
Little brown eyes aad shining blac
heads were visahle everywhere, peep
ing out from behind window shutters
and half closed doors. Their suspicious
were at length overcome by curiosity.
Before 1 had been among them three
hours the crowd OF curious spectators
men. women and children, had assum-
ed enormous proportions. Mothers
washed their babies faces, dressed
them in their best and pataded them up
and down, hoping their larllngs would
favorably attract the artists eye.
What you charge TO 'lraw my hahyI'
II will pay YOU money II yon will
draw me a picture Of ny house"
These were the entrtatins remarks
which came from all sides when they
found they were not all to be drawn"
The most remarkable fact noticed
about this Filipino colony was that
there are 10 Manila women in Il, Never
yet. say they, has a native Filipino wo-
man been seen in the colony. One old
man Of superior Intelligence explained
that It was a characteristic Of Manila
women tha. they never left their homes.
a very few. he said. had gone TO Spain,
but thess were the only known in
stances OF Manila wlnrn having left
their native land. These 'Manilamen"
took wives from among the Spanish and
French creolas, and. in very few in
stances. from among the negroes.
They seem well contented in their mat
rimonial alliances.
A great many OF these Fillpinos are
very old men. we live TO be much
Old said one. They have one vice, that
Of gambling. In the center Of the col
ony stands a gambling hall At night
when the days work is done the men
congregate in large numbers around
the gambling tables and play till their
last nickel is gone. Crowds Of women
enter and stand around as spectators
Of the game. but seeming TO take as
much interest as the men.
Liquor is used to a very limited ex-
tent. There is a small bar in one cor
ner of the gambling room, but during
a two days stay on the island not one
case Of intoxication was observed.
The quiet, peaceful habits Of these
people are most remarkable. living as
they do without police authority and
with absolutely nothing to fear from
the law. There is an utter absence Of
lawlessness and crime.
The principal street in the village Of
has within the past year
been christened Dewey avenue. It ex-
tends along the water front, where the
most modern, as well as the most sub
stantial. buildings on the island are TO
be seen.
The island is owned by a white man,
who lives in New Orleans and exacts
from the colonists a normal rent OF !
from H.5G to 81 and even s. a year.
There is not a church or schoolhouse
In the settlement or in that entire coast
country. The swarms Of little swarthy
faced Filipinos, the rising generation,
are thus entirely without training, ex-
eept such as their ignorant parents are
able TO give them. As they are within
The limits Of the state Of Louisiana.
hey are entitled TO school facilities.
ana about a year ago a kind-hearted
md welI-meaning Southern gentleman
vent among them and urged them TO
make application for school, but they
lid not take kindly to the idea, and his
Efforts were not crowned with success.
The old fishermen have not seen their
native land for many, many years.
Most Of them left 1t as sailors on Span
sh vessels and upon arriving in this
country ran away and Joined the COL
my Of their countrymen.
One very old man, who claims to be
he pioneer settler, stated that he had
oeen in that region for seventy-hve
Years. When he was boy he worked
IN ship engaged in the slave trade.
On board this ship he had made many
rips to Africa, returning TO this coun-
.ry with loads Of negroes, who were
sold to Southern planters. firing Of
hat life he ran away from the ship
md took refuge in these marshes, where
le still lives.
Although they speak the Spanish lam
'uage, there is scarcely one who does
lot make more or less attempt to speak
english They retain many traditions
. .Loi. ,,z.t.- ,,