The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-07-28
Some Native Opposition to These Plans
Developed.
SOCIAL AND SANITARY CONDITIONS
Thirteen Little Ironclads Distribusd
Among the Big War Vessels Was
an Important Naval Move
Soldiers Well Housed.

w lOll, July Sd'-~iShtOhs'hA A@SNi y
flag lieutenant of the oregon under Cap
tain Barker, has just arrived in Washing
ten from the Philippines, and brings some
interesting details of the situation in Ma
nilla. Lieutenant Eberly says the social
and sanitary conditions in Manila are 5ea-
ter than is generally believed in the United
States and better than would naturally be
supposed after such a short American oc-
cupaton. The city has been cleaned on an
American plan, the military authorities en-
gineerin2 the work with a large force of
Cinnamon and friendly E,ilipinos. The
Cinnamon are relied on for the heavy
manual labor. The streets have been
cleaned of ancient accumulate OF filth
and there has been mouse to house in
spection, which is still continuing.
some Native Opposition
There has been more or less native op
position to these Innovations, but the peo
pie are beginning to appreciate the value
of the new measures and TO accept the
change.
When the Oregon arrived in March the
Eatiye population was dissatisfied and in
an ugly humor even in the city itself Cab
drivers, hotel keepers and other semi-pub
lie servants rendered service under protest
and even turned down American trade in
some instances. Now, however, they have
found out that they are paid thing that
they did not seem to be used to, and find
ing American official promises carried out,
they accept the new sovereignty cheerfully.
Compulsory vaccination created some op~
position among the natives at first. but its
been accepted. Lieutenant Eberly says
that the health of Manila is exceptionally
good and that even among the troops on
shore there was little sickness from any
thing but heat prostrations.
One of the most important naval moves
has been the distribution of the thirteen
little ironclads among the big vessels Of
the feet on various stations. Through
these small craft, he says, there is an ef-
fective blockade of Cebu and Palawan
How smugg lag Is Done
Most of the smuggling of arms, ammunI-
tion and rood since the arrival of the
American squadron has been done in small
schooners known as "bankers," which can
run through the island channels. where the
fleet could not follow. The "tin clad patrol
boats have been doing business with these
skimsners of the seas recently, one patrol
beat rounding up thirteen "bankers" in a
single trip 1t is thought that in a short
time Aguna!do will be reduced to a supply
of purely homemade ammunition.
The soldiers around Manila are now well
housed in permanent quarters or Neipe
houses. which are built on a bamboo frame
work and are cool and dry Even on the
outworks the soldiers Rad comforta Bile
palm huts, but the rains set in and except
for the intense heat. were very comforta-
Bile.
The rains had not started in earnest
when Captain Barker and Lieutenant Eb-
erly sailed for home. 1t was well under
stood then that the rains would cut off all
transportation except by railway, and that
is given as the reason fer Lawton's aban-
doning San Isidre, this Being big swamp
between it and the railway that is impass-
able during the rains.