The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-11

mountains at Randy and Newra Eliya;
in Hong-kong it goes up on the Peak
behind Victoria, and in the Philippines
it win doubtless be established in the
BenCuet mountains, 200 miles north
of Manila With a permanent army
Of 10000 men in the Philippines and
with a peaceful condition existing
throughout the islands, there will be
the wives and families Of the govern
ment officials and army officials and
army officers descending on Manila in
great numbers. The presence of Ameri-
can women will create a demand for
social livelines, which will make the
hill station d rival of Simla.
ACTIVITY IN REAL ESTATE.
There will be a great activity in the
buying OF land in Manila and at the
logical shipping ports of the island.
Even now it is apparent that the busi-
ness district of Manila is congesteG
into too narrow confines. The Escota,
which is the great business street, is
less than half mile long. on it are the
biggest retail stores, restaurants, the
pOstotiice and leading commercial
offices. Since the Americans have come,
however this thoroughfare Is degen-
Grating into a salon street. Even in
the native quarters there are scores of
little nipa huts that are selling Ameri-
can beer and American drinks.
To illustrate the vast amount Of
drinking that is done, l mention the
statement made to me by the agent
Of an American company, who told me
that he had sold 5000 barrels Of beer in
10 hh
business done in one regimental can
teen, in drinks alone, was 81, 700 Mexi-
can, in a single day, and in another
regiment 1t was Sl,lO0. 1t certainly is
a humiliating thing to see a beautiful
street like the Escolta changed in two
months from a great retail show street
into line Of saloons, and it makes an
American feel that his country is not
cutting much ice as a grand civil2ing
influence.
ARRIVAL OF ADVENTUREssES.
Manila Is also becoming the Mecca"
for dozens Of adventuresses, who see
golden prospects here. A number Of
women have drifted in from nearly all
the big cities Of the orient, and in one
or two instances, where their character
| was discovered before they landed
they were ordered by General Otis
away from the island. a salon has Just
| been opened with Japanese barmaids,
| and there are other evidences that an
era Of piety and moral reformation is
not dawning in the Philippines. At the
present rate of moral decline, Manila
win in a few years have Doodle alder
men and a political machine.
During the first two months follow
| ing the occupation Of Manila by the
Americans there was a wild eagerness
| on the part OF all the soldiers to get
| back home. They all had enough of
the Philippines and they were per-
fectly willing that the people OF Ameri-
ca, who were Clamoring for the reten-
tion of the archipelago, should come
out and retain IT. a vote taken on the
advisability Of holding the Philippines
would have been unanimously in the
negative If by retaining them the SOL
diers themselves would have to stay
out here. This feeling has begun to die
out, and under the conditions that are
developing, many Of the younger men
who have no especial business interests
at home or families dependent on them,
are becoming reconciled to life in
Manila. In five years 1t Is confidently
thought that the army service In the
Philippines will be far pleasanter than
in many of the frontier posts in