The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-16

the Westboro people an idea of how
much rain fell, he placed a pail at a
convenient place, and in three days II
inches of water had accumulated in the
pail.
The health condition of the soldiers
there Is very bad, on account of the
rainy season. they having to stand
guard duty in the rain. He estimates
that when he left there were about 2000
sick in the hospitals and 1000 more in
their own quarters
AS to food, he states that it is good
enough as rule, not very bad in quail
ity, the only trouble being that there
were not enough men who knew how
to cook. The supply of meat is too
large and not enough cereals are fur
nished for the benefit of the troops
The water supply is also in a bad
condition, as during the rainy season
surface water runs into the springs,
and all drinking water ought to be
boiled before use, as it causes dysentery
among the troops. He says that there
is much improvement in the hospitals
since Col. Woodland was put in charge
to succeed Col. Lippincott.
The natives are scared of our colored
troops on account of their large build,
and their good management, and when
they see them coming their way they
turn and run the other way.
As regards trading there, the prices
are reasonable, and as a general rule
the prices are a good deal cheaper than
in this country, although at times it is
hard to judge. Most of the articles are
German goods, with mingling of
Chinese wares.
The shoes are Chinese make and are
reasonable in price, the highest price
pair being only $3.50. The clothing is
made cheap and the work is done by
Chinese tailors. AS for the restaurants,
a good meal cannot be obtained for love
or money.
Mr.. Smalley left Manila on the trans
port Grant, July ~ together with PA
discharged men. They were put down
in the bottom of the boat and fed on
stuff that was worse than soldiers fare
Some of them were arrested and con-
fined in the brig for refusing to work
for their grub, by doing such things as
cleaning ship and doing kitchen and
police work.
One day they We're made to go with
out food. Finally the officials found
that they could not make the boys
work, and people were hired to do
kitchen work. The party had a pleas
ant stop at Yokohoma, and the Amer
lean ladies there got up large supper
in their honor, furnished the ship
with food, furnished teams and
guides for sightseeing, and made a
hospital on shore for such sick men
who were able to be moved. They were
also treated royalty in San Francisco.
He saw Jack Dee, another Westboro
boy, in Frisco, and had quite a con>
versation with him, Dee was bound
for Manila, and was looking fine and
was in good health. He states that in
Manila discharged soldier has no pos
sible show of starting in business; a
license has to be obtained, which is
hard to procure. Mr.. Smalley says that
the islands are no place for a poor
man or any white man in the labor
line, unless he gets a good chance for
a capital investment.
Mr.. Smalley does not think very much
of Gen. Otis, as in his estimation he is
thoroughly incompetent, using his posi-
ton to advance his own personal ends
and feather his ccketbook much more
than for the glory of the United States
and the welfare of the soldiers. He was
favorahlv impressed with Lawton and
would like to see him appointed COM
mander. He is a man that the men all
put confidence in and thoroughly re-
spect and are all glad to go with him on
an expedition.