The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-18
OBSERVATORY At MANILA
The Practical Value Of Father
Joseph Algue's Work.
Institution Forctcils storms md
Enrfhqun in Reverence
by the FilipinOs--Charts Made by
It's Scientists Used by Dewey I'm
His Voyage From HonekonE.

NEW YORK. June 17.-Father Jozepl
Algue, director of the official obsery ator.
at Manila and a passenger by last week!
sailing of La Gascogne for Europe. ha:
recently received an appointment from the
United States Government to continue il
the office which he held under Span
| ish rule and which he successfully de-
| Tended against the fortunes of war willis
things were agog at Manila.
The observatory, as described by Father
| AlGue. is interesting. both for its history
and for the practical aid which it con-
stantly gives to seamen and soldiers who
| depend upon it largely for weather advice
and charts. 1t is on account OF the prac-
| tical nature of its work that the Govern
ment has realized the value of preserving
its existence. Admiral Dewey, when he
made his memorable voyage from Hong
kong to Manila, used charts made by this
observatory.
This institution was founded in 1866 and
was declared official by the Spanish Gov
ernment in 1882. Father Algue, at the
head. is a Catholic missionary. He insists
that the observatory is and always has
been an institution for all who value its
help. He distinguishes four lines in which
1t has been useful: the meteorological, the
seismical, the magnetic, and the astro-
nomical. The meteorological department
makes the weather observations and sends
word Of approaching storms to enquiring
seamen. Z
Those:who know the violence and dan
ger Of an East Indian typhoon will appre-
ciate the value OF advice rightly given;
and this advice is made actually possible
by connections which the observatory has
with seven stations in Japan. five in For
mosa, and others at all the important
points on the coast of Asia from Shanghai
to Saigon, in Cochin-C
The seismical department performs the
same function with regard to earthquakes
and makes scientific records of the force
and violence of the shock.
The magnetic department furnishes in
formation about the conduct of the needle
and makes magnetic charts for seamen.
The astronomical department is the one
by which all the mariners set their chro-
nometers, and. since the occupation by
Americans, has sent the time twice daily
to all the various departments of the in
choate government
At no time in the disturbances at Ma
nila was the observatory forced to close
up shop. In fact. since the day Of occu-
patton the Americans have recognized
the value OF the work. and tried to en-
courage its preservation and extension. |
On August 13, the day of entry by the |
Americans, Father Algue had 1000 natives !
under his protection in the large main |
building of the observatory. The Filipino |
soldiers reached that part of town twenty |
minutes before the Americana, and, with |
consideration which, he says. is charac-
teristic of the Fiipinos when they are
not excited, proceeded to form guard
mount about the institution and protect
it from harm.
1.-The Filipinos," said Father Algue. 'are
good, quiet people. When they are highly
excited, as at present. the mania gets
into them to act wildly, as ii does into
other people. Over there. they liken the
to the water buffalo, the COM
mon beast of burden of the Indians as
the horse and the OK are here. The water
buffalo is most mild and patient while
he is treated well, but once you beat him
and maltreat him he is formidable and
dangerous brute"
The one thing necessary" he couclud-
ed Ito lasting settlement of the Fill
pino problem is to bring all the people un-
iei oHe lar anu Houest government IN
which they trust. It will be the most
1iiiicuit thing in the world to satisfy them
all with an arrangement which will be
kind and just. They undoubtedly could
sffect it better among themselves. grow
ng from within outward instead of from
without inward but in the mean time the
problem must be faced. and while it is
aced there will be one discontented party
lere. and another there, going about and
and killing those who displease
hem