Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-21
PHILIPPINES FUTURE
Former United States Consul Viii
liams Talks interestingly.
a BRIGHT PICTURE OF THE ORIENT.
Delightful Climate ~ Area the Same as
Japan's-Eesourccs Abundant
American Army in Gxcel-
lent Condition.

Rochester, n. V. Dec. 1s.-Formen
United States Consul Oscar f. Williams
just returned home from Manila, where
he has been the last two years, is ia
miliar with every phase of the devol-
opment since before the war with Spain
having taken an active and prominent
part in the official affairs of the coun-
try and closely studied all of the is
sues. He is enthusiastic over the Phil
ippines, the people and the possibilities
of the future. Mr.. Williams has not
had days illness since he left Roch-
ester in 1897, and does not consider
the climate enervating. He says:
If any one lives properly in the
Philippines, it is the most delightful
climate Imaginable. The average tenn
perature is rs degrees, with extremes
of 60 and 95. l can't say too much
about the richness, fertility and possi-
bilities of the future, when good gov
ernment is established, labor protected
and capital permitted to develop the
lands, immense forests and fisheries.
There are certainly great wealth and
business possibilities.
"The islands are capable of sustain-
ing population of from 9,000,OD0 to
15,000,000 of people, and yet only "a
fifth part of the arabls land is consid-
cred as being under cultivation. l be
ieve the islands are capable of sustain
ing a larger population than the EN-
pire of Japan. The Philippines are
Rbout the same area as Japan, and the
climatic conditions are much more ia
yorable. We have perpetual summer
there and delightful rains, even in. the
dry season. On the 10th of July we
had a rainfall of 9.6s inches. Just think
what that means. But the soil absorbs
like sponge.
eve do not require much cover at
around is the rule. Americans can live
there and enjoy good health, if they
take ordinary precautions and are tenn
perate in eating and drinking. be-
lieve the white race can labor success
fully and profitably in the fields of
farming and numbering. l maintain
that if our men can wear the regula-
ton army suit, carry their heavy rifles,
with twenty pounds of cartridges, ana
chase Filipinos twenty miles day,
they can follow the plow or cultivate
the fields of corn, sugar cane and to-
bacco with less fatigue and risk to
their health.
Our army is i'll excellent condition.
From an official report received just
before / left j learned that the total
number of deaths from all causes was
T92 out of 10000 men. And you may
say this for me most cheeTfully, that
as an army the men are exceptional
for intelligence and good conduct. Our
western volunteers are rare fellows,
magnificent specimens of manhood.
General Otis did everything pru-
dent man could do for his men. No one
knows better than j how anxious he
was to return the men according to
their terms Of enlistment, and although
there was some dissatisfaction among a
few, the delay arose from conditions
which were unavoidable"
Otis the Right Man.
do you consider Gen. Otis the man
for the placer"
Decidedly / do, and the criticisms
have been made either thoughtlessly
or by some persons whom he has cross
ed in some way. He is yeritabIe
treasury watchdog. Every bill and
every article purchased undergoes the
closest scrutiny, and he will. NOT sane
tion it unless it is absolutely needed.
He is one of the most watchful men in
the United States service. and | am
sure that when the war is over and
pique forgotten he will receive I'M
doubted credit for his services
but they say he gives too much
time and attention to detail.''
Yes, that is his fault; but he can't
help it;it is part of his nature to look
after everything himself. L have often
told him that there is where he makes
his mistake and should save HIMSELF,
"How about the social side of life in
Manila?''
Il am afraid I can not answer that
question us fully as you wish. When
first Went to Manila / saw the war
cloud rising, and / Immediately made
a detective of myself in the interests
of my country. L boarded at the En-
glish hotel, Lala AIRY, during my en-
tire life in Manila. The hotel is on
the famous Escalta, the principal bus
mess street. We had good board, the
food much the same as we would get
at home. We had one or two doses of
carabao meat. This is the water buffa-
10, and is used as beast of burden in
the islands.
The domestic life of the Filipinos is
kind, happy and peaceful. They are
simple in their ways, and their furni-
sure IS meager; but the men and wom-
en- are kindly, faithful and clearly in
their personal habits and in their
homes. The women take great pride
in their long, black hair, which is pro-
fusely oiled with cocoanut oil. The
relatives of a family, however distant,
are always welcome. No matter how
poor the home, they are taken in and
given of the little there is. There is a
sort of patriarchal rule observed
among the Philippines, even the young
est child being subservient to the next
elder, the father and mother, no mat
ter how old, being under the control of
their parents.
81 have never been betrayed or cheat
ed by the Filipinos since have been
there. They are the most hospitable
people in the world, and will never
take cent from stranger for any
refreshments offered him. Nor will
they permit even their children TO take
few coppers as a present, fearing it
will lead them into bad habits. They
have grown in their Ignorance to fear
every white face, no matter what the
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