People's voice., 1900-04-26
The Bright Side,

Times Of March 5, 10 an article oD
THE Bright Side," pictures the con-
ditOn in the Philippines in such a
clear and straightforward manner
that it cannot but be Of interest to
everyone. From the fact that par
ticular attention is paid to Mariveles,
where the Wellington volunteers are
stationed, it will be OF all the more
interest TO Wellington people:
A few days ago we had to mention
an instance Of show to do it"-hOw a
lack of tact or consideration for the
feelings Of friendly-disposed and law
abiding FilipinOs may create ill-feel-
ing and do much harm. II is pleas
ure to place on record an example of
TIE opposite sort. In Mariveles, the
station at tne north side Of the en-
trance to Manila Bay, the very best
relations prevail between American
and Filipinos, because the latter
have been uniformly well treated by
the sOrmer. In all countries soldiers
are from the nature Of their prOfeS-
sion, not the gentlest Of mankind;
and 10 all countries, the mere prOx-
unity of different races is in itself
natural and inevitable source Of pos
Sible Disbursements. Differences of
race and language, manners and Gus
toms, IeceSSari!y produce occasional
misunderstanding, Of more or less
importance. Whether more or less,
depends on the disposition of the in
diyiduals concerned. In Mariveles it
is less. Following their excellent
commanding officers instructions and
example, the soldiers manage to keep
on cordial terms with the nativeS;a
when any complaint arises, it is
promptly put right. This is, undOubt-
edly, the general rule in all military
posts in the Philippines; but it is
equally undoubted that there are ex-
ceptiOns. Our hope is that, by con-
slant vigilance, the exceptions may
be kept down to minimum, and the
general effect will be good.
When the small garrison, consisting
Of a single company, occupied Mari
yeies less than two months ago, the
place vas 10 an indesCribably filthy
condition. In a space Of time so
short as to be highly creditable, the
little town has been completely reyo-
lutionizvd. 1t is now clean and
orderly, quite a nOdel township.
Houses that were abandoned and
threatening to fail into unsightly de-
cay, are now reOccupied aud comfort
able looking; the streets are kept neat
aud trim, the people busy and happy.
There is neither Spanish nor native
priest, yet the people seem just as
well able to leave each others thrOats
uncut aud goods unstolen.
1t is said there is to be fine quar-
antine station established in Mari
vel9s. We understand that the plans
are all completed and that the work of
erecting the requisite buildings will
soon begin. There will be a SubStdn-
tial pier erected, 9s the present jetty
is small and Of light construction,
quite inadequate for the business OF a
proper quarantine station in full
working order. No place could be
more suitable for the purpose than
MariYeleS. In addition to a pretty
and rOOmy bay, a safe anchorage, a
pure water supply, and we'll stocked
market for fresh provisions, Mariveles
has most picturesque surroundings
and a valuable mineral spring in the
immediate vicinity. The water
swells up in abundance from a big
hole in the level ground less than a
quarter Of miletfrom the town. The
water is so heavily charged with mln-
eral salts, chiefly sulphates and car
bides, that a whitish deposit has
formed arouLd the mouth of the well,
and has accumulated with sge, until
it has built up a volcano-shaped mound
twenty or thirty feet high. The pro-
fuse flow Of water, forced up from
unknown Subterranesn depths, over
flows like lava streaming down from
crater. The sides Of the baby noun
tain are covered with peculiar vegeta.
tiOn not found elsewhere In the vicin-
ity. The water is warm, about So
degrees Centigrade. Its precise
medicinal properties have not, as far
as we know, been investigated by
scientists, but it is very highly ap-
preclated by the natives for use in
stomach Troubles Of all kinds.
Mariveles should have great future
as a health resort for Manila residents.
Ii is much easier to reach than Los
BanOs or Sibul, being only TWO or
three hours journey from Manila.
An additional attraction lies in the
fact that there are villages OF NegritoS