Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-21

"
fair trial and just treatment in the
courts.
"Aguinaldo agrees with this, and 7
assured him that when conditions We're
settled the Americans would let the
Filipinos govern just so far as they
were able to do so, and assure protec-
ton to business interests
Life In Manila
! life in Manila was indolent among
the Spanish officers, all of whom in
dulge in their afternoon siesta. Every
one takes his carriage ride when the
weather is pleasant on Louneta, along
the sea coast between the old and the
/ new city. There is 4 fine lighted pas
sage dividing the two, and all is life
and gaiety. The military band plays
and cyclists and fine rigs of all de-
scriptions join in the parade. The
archbishop and governor general are
the only dignitaries permitted to go in
the opposite direction from the crowd.
They are seen with their outriders and
magnificent coaches drawn by four
horses, and every one salutes them as
he passes.
"Before the war there were about
10000 Europeans in Manila, 9,40O of
whom We're Spanish, French and En-
glish, with only handful of Ameri
cans. There are 10000 Filipinos and
$4,000 Chinese and half-castes; that is,
mixture of different races. There are
Filipino clubs, Spanish and American,
surrounded by fine grounds, tennis
courts, etc., just as in America. BUSH
ness has been demoralized during the
war, and the exports and imports are
in the hands of Europeans other than
the Spanish. Activity has been given
to American interests, and American
capital has been made so productive OF
income that, European capital is more
likely to develop Filipino interests
than American, because the rate of in
terestg.is less
In response to a question whether
the islands are the place for Americans
to make money, Consul Williams hest
tated,, then replied, mot yet" He
thinks, however, when good govern
ment is assured and times are settled
there will be opportunities for people
willing to develop the country.
I'VE are schoolboys yet in colonial
matters" he said, while the British
become experts in colonial manage
| exports of the Philippine Islands. In
| 1897 there were $4,000 tons of hemp
| exported from the islands, of which
A per cent came to the United States.
The annual export of sugar is about
100000 tons, of which 10 per cent goes
to England. In 1897 America took SIS
per cent"
Filipino Dinner.
During the time that the commits
sion visited the Philippines, Consul
William was associated with the mems
bers, advising and assisting them. The
consul gives this interesting descrip-
ton of the Filipino dinner, to which
he was invited with the members of
the commission. The host was Sig.
i JOSH:
81 sat between two ladies', who wore,
each of them, Il fortune of diamonds.
have never seen their jewels equal
J ed III Paris or anywhere in Europe.
4 One Wore necklace of diamonds made
of solid gems as large as the eud of
my finger toward the center and
strung two inches wide. From these
depended equally beautiful ornaments.
There was great display of rich dress
of home manufacture. The upper
class Filipino women are educated and
lcultured and the most graceful dan
GERS imaginable. They speak the Tagal
language generally, though many of
them tall. all European languages.
They are good looking, though dark,
of course, and graceful and interest
ing. They are especially fond of dane
4 ing.
| There is one school in Manila which
has graduated 100000 people, and it is
a fine institution of learning. 1 know
one of Aguinaldo's cabinet, so-called,
who could speak before the chamber
of commerce in this city or in Paris, or
in any European city, and make an
address that would be a credit to any
man. He is fine fellow, highly edu-
Gated, and speaks four languages. He
gives me the honor of having saved his
life at one time, SO he is particular
friend of mine"
How was that?"
"Aguinaldo had given orders that he
should be executed because of his
| friendliness toward the Americans.
! learned of the plot, had him placed on
one of our ships and refused to surren-
der him until had Aguinaldo's pledge
1 for his safety"
\ IS AOISuI NlulaUlS Drought nome WIN
I him the flags of the Filipinos, eSquis-
itelv wrought in satin, not unlike the
Cuban flag in style, though more gor-
geous. He has also some native dress
fabrics, beautiful in texture and color.
A just costume, made of hemp and
silk, is thin, of beautiful luster, about
' the weight of liberty silk, but much
nrmer. Pena is another exquisite fab
ric, made from the fiber of pineapple,
with a luster like silk and equally fine
in texture. If these fabrics are imports
ed into this country they will be high
ly popular. There is one objection,
which might be removed, their strong
odor of hemp"
Mr. Williams will remain at his
home here few months. Later he will
report at Washington, returning to
Manila probably in the spring to look
after some private interests.
4 MUST PAY THE TAX,