, 1900-07-19
TN THE PHILIPPINES.
BRITISH coNsULs ON AMERI-
CAN IMPROVEMENTS.
Law and Order Being Restored and
Natives RcturninE to Agricultural Pur-
suits-Improvemeata Everywhere -
Postomoe and Teiessaph Wen Conducted

Consul Halstead sends from Birm-
ingham, June II, 1900. the following
abstract of the annual report of the
british CONSUL at Manila:
"The collapse of the insurrection last
November and the opening of the ports
since January11 having restored conf-
eree.N great activity in commercial
quarters has ensued. Law and order
are being restored as rapidly as pos
sible, but the immense size OF the conn
try renders 1t a difficult task. The
natives, l believe, would willingly re-
turn to their agricultural pursuits, but
the influence of their leaders appears
sufficiently strong to keep them from
~surrenderlng.
Prices have increased to such an ex-
tent that Manila. which till recently
might be classed as a cheap place to
live in, must now be considered the re-
verse. AS yet the provision markets
are not seriously affected, though
fruit, vegetables, game, etc, are 20 per
cent dearer; but house rent, servants,
carriages, horses, launches. and labor
of every description are already treble
the price of last year. In consequence
of the great demand. launch hire n
everything connected with shipping
commands its own price. Improve
ments are visible in every direction,
and already the town has quite a diff
ferent appearance from last year. The
work of draining the filthy town ditch
es and %stagnant pools. which Is In
contemplation. may possibly entail an
epidemic, but the advantage to poster
fly is i~nestimable. The recovered
land of the city walls n moat Will
provide building sites which Ameri-
can enterprise will know how to uti-
lie: and although Manila will never
become a fashionable watering place,
II may become a great commercial
. power in these waters before the first
quarter of the century is passed.
"rhe two well-known leading indus
tries of Manila-hemp and tobacco
will, / fear. suffer very severely for
Some time from the late insurrection;
but there are no doubt at present gold
en opportunities for the employment Of
capital ard talent in many local trades.
ICE mdHuldClOIleS, livery bldpicsp III
sels, and general enterprises are much
wanted: but l most strongly deprecate
Foung men without capital (no matter
what their education may bel coming
here in search of employment. The
departments of the post-ofice and tele-
+ graph. being now under American and
British control. are admirably con-
Quoted. The telephone, the water sup
+. ply, and the electric lighting are Span
lsh, n also deserve great praise. The
electric-lighting plant is being enlarged
and Manila will soon be one of the best
lighted towns in the east.
THE Chinese labor question is one of
great Importance in these islands.
Americas experience of it in Califor-
mia not being satisfactory, there is
strong influence against IT.; but, taking
into consideration the natural indo-
lence of the Filipino. 1t will probably
be found impossible to do without the
Chinese. One of the principal obtec-
tions is that by their Industrious hab-
its they gradually obtain a monopoly
In all retail trades; but this may be
remedied by combining their enterprise
Simply u manual IdDOr, anu loT tuis
they are most admirably adapted, and
In the hot season positively necessary.
The F%Ilipinos make excellent clerks.
II they can be well overlooked; but If
allowed, they will spend their time in
gambling and cockighting. They have
no idea of putting energy into any of
their pursuits, and have no CONNER
clal instincts; they also care little for
money, loss or gain being to them ap-
p~arently a matter of Indifference"
The British vice-consul at Iloilo
says:
THE United States forces have now
successfully occupied the better part of
the Island. the end of the year augurs
well for a happier future. and. when
once a peaceful rule is established.
many important improvements will
take place.
THE Island of Negroes is in a more
satisfactory state, and. although the
crops for 1900 may not be very large,
owing to the difficulties which had 70
DE overcome In procuring labor. the
planting for the 1901 crop is extern
rive"