Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-01
MAKE MANILA HEALTHY,
Occupation by Americans Followed by
a Thorough Cleaning,

Washington, July 2s.-Lieutenant
Eberly, flag lieutenant of the Oregon
under Capt. Barker, has just arrived in
Washington from the Philippines and
brings some interesting details of the
situation in Manila. He says the social
and sanitary conditions in Manila are
better than is generally believed in the
United States and better than would
be naturally supposed after such a
short American occupation.
The city has been cleaned on an
American plan, the military authorities
engineering the work with large
force OF Cinnamon and friendly Filifi-
mos. The Cinnamon are relied on for
the heavy manual labor. The streets
have been cleared of ancient accumu-
lations of filth, and there has heen a
house to house inspection, which is
still continuing. There has been more
or less native opposition to these inno-
vations, but the people are beginning
to see the value of the new measures
and to accept the change from the old
order. n
In this connection. Lieutenant Eber-
ly says, it is a favorable sign that the
temper of the native population has
changed considerably toward American
occupation. When the Oregon arrived
in March the native population was dis
satisfied and in an, ugly humor, even in
the city itself. Cab-drivers, hotel-keep-
ers and other semi-public servants
rendered service under protest and ev-
en- turned down American trade in
some instances. Now. however, they
have found out that they are paid. a
+, Z hnf IL III -
used to. and finding American official
promises carried out they cheerfully
accept the new sovereignty.
Compulsory vaccination created some
opposition among the natives at first,
but its beneficial effects being appa-
rent it has also been accepted. Lieu
tenant Eberly says that the health of
Manila is exceptionally good and that
even among the troops on shore there
was little sickness from anything but
heat prostrati0n.
One of the most important naval
moves has been the distribution of the
thirteen little "tin clads" among the
big vessels OF the fleet on various sta
tions. Through these small craft, he
says, there is an effective blockade OF
the whole of Luzon. and some boats
have been sent to Mindanao, Negroes,
Cebu and Palawan.
Most of the smuggling of arms, am
munition and food since the arrival of
the American squadron has been done
in small sehooners known as bank
ers.' which can run through the isl
and channels where the fleet could not
follow them. The ''tin clad" patrol
boats have been doing business with
these sliimmers of the seas recently,
one patrol boat rounding up thirteen
BANKERS in single trim. 1t Is thought
that in a short time Aguinaldo will be
reduced to supply of purely home
made ammunition.
Epidemic stamped Ont
Washington. July 2s.-(By Assoclat-
ed Press. )--Gen. Brooke forwards from
Havana the following report by Gen.
Wood on the fever situation at Santa
go. under date of July 20:
No more cases are reported among
the troops or government employees;
the sanitary conditions of the city are
excellent. with intensely hot weather.
= think it can be safely considered that
the present epidemic is over
ordered to san Domingo.
.
Washington, July (By Associat-
ed Press -Secretary Long this after
noon ordered the cruiser New Orleans,
at Newport, and the gunboat Machias,
at st. Thomas, TO proceed at once ia
San Domingo. This action is due en-
tirely to the desire to be beforehand
in case of a possible disturbance.
1t has been decided as matter OF
precaution, to send the gunboat Ma
chias, now at San Juan, Porto Rico, to
San Domingo.
Recruiting About Done.
Washington, July 29.--By Associat.
ed Press.)--Col. Petit, commanding
the Thirty-first regiment at Fort
Thomas, KY. telegraphed to the de
partment today that his enlistments
now number 1,1h0, which is within
200 of the full quota. He will with.
draw his recruiting officers Monday, as
the regiment will then be organized
for actual service. Herthinks that in
a month they will rbe ready for the
front. It is stated at the war depart.