The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-09
TIRED OF INACTIVITY
Soldiers in Manila Were Pining
for Action.
BEGGARS ARE A NUISANCE
They Flock the Streets and Make Life
Burdensome - Gossip of the Ana
conda Boys-Philippine Women
Anything but Charming.

The mail from San Francisco which
many letters from the soldiers at Ma
Mia. Among others is one written to
the editor of the Standard by Charles
A. Murphy of Company M of this city.
The letter was written on Jan. 80 some
time prior to the engagements in which
Montana men took such distinguished
part. Mr.. Murphy doubtless voiced the
sentiments and feeling of his comrades
at the time he wrote when he says the
men are tired of the inactivity which
was being forced upon them.
He tells in his letter of the promotion
of Arthur O'Leary, son of Colonel
OLeary of this city, to the second lieu
tenancy of Company NJ, and of the de-
parture of Gerald Sullivan for home.
The next mail from Manila will doubt
less have letters for the home folks con-
tanning detailed accounts of the engage
ments which took place some days after
the date upon which the letters We're
written that were brought in by yester-
days mail
Mr.. Murphy's letter to the Standard,
which makes interesting reading. is as
follows:
Manila, r. L., Jan. 80
To the Editor of the Anaconda Stand
ard:
The situation in Manila continues
quiet, despite the many wild rumors
that have been in circulation for a week
past 'Tis true that Aguinaldo has be2n
almost defiant toward the Americans.
Filipino woman was accidentally shot
by a member of the Montana outpost,
and this may have a tendency toward
provoking hostiltes, but no direct
trouble is anticipated. The rights of
American citizenship have been ten
dered the Filipinos. but through the
blindness of their ignorance they ex-
pect greater privileges from the Ameri-
cans, when too many sacrifices have al
ready been made in their behalf.
There are great many people COM
ing to Manila every day with the ex-
press intention of making a stake. Ma
Mia, and l suppose the Philippines in
general, offer broad field to the cap
italist. miner or adventurer, but ITO the
working class it offers no inducement.
If the United States keeps the islands
there will be plenty of room for Ameri
can brains and capital. The street car
service is very poor here. although 1T
is paying property. l never saw such
a collection of misfit streets. The side
walks in some places are not over 20
inches wide: this, too. in the business
streets. The beggars are a nuisance.
All roads from beggardom lead to Ma
Mia. Ii is an easy matter to count 25
mendicants on one block and you don't
need a good day for beggars, either.
There is much speculation as to how
long we will be here. How long, oh,
Lord, how long? The boys are getting
rusty from inactivity and have enough
of this kind of soldering. Not one,
however, expresses a wish to be sent
home if his services are needed, but
they don't seem to be.
Arthur O'Leary, who received his com
mission a few days ago. is now second
lieutenant of Company NJ. Lieutenant
Gerald Sullivan was presented with
gold watch by the members of NJ COM
pany. Lieutenant Sullivan, after re-
ceiving his discharge. volunteered as a
private in G company. but as there
seemed to be no immediate trouble he
went home on the Valencia. Lieutenant
Sullivan was cheered by the men Of
every company in the regiment, and it
is safe to say that no officer in the regi-
ment was more respected than he
| read in several papers of the beauty
of the Filipino maiden. There is
wrong impression in the United States
concerning these people. Beauty among
Filipinos is conspicuous by it's absence.
l must admit they have good eyes. but
that is their only redeeming feature.
They are not the graceful, modest crea-
lures some would have you believe On
the contrary, they are as motley class
Of women as l have ever seen. They
wear a strip of loud-c checked calico
wound around their body and pair of
wooden shoes. without stockings. Their
hair is long, black and greasy from use
of cocoanut oil. They walk like duck
and jabber like parrot I would sooner
have the smile of one Anaconda girl
than the good will of half the Filipino
Squaws on the island.
The rainy season is over here. 1t Is
cool enough to sleep under blankets
every night. March is the hottest sea-
son here.
Como and The 100 r a 1l1hlai fn1 $40