Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-11
A STORY OF MANILA.
Information Secured Concerning All
Who Enter the CITY.


Who Enter the City.
The methods of keeping track of the peo-
pie who go in and out of Manila are told in
the Manila American of June 49,
1t were easier for that man to pass
through the eye of needle than to enter
the gates of heaven. so said the Teacher Of
old, and a more modern teacher has arisen
to ordain the same difficulty as regards en-
try into Manila, says the American. Why?
Is this city such a much be-denied par
adise! Surely those who have had much
experience of 1t will say Mo- with cap
tal NJ. And yet, before one can enter here.
one mas to write a perfect and complete
little history of ones self, authenticate It
and hand it over to the special department
which holds the key of Manila. Upon en-
barking on board a steamer at Hong Kong
bound for Manila one is handed a large
sheet of paper, and on this paper is an ar
ray of questions. all relating to the would
De Voyagers most private and personal con-
cerns-an array fit to frighten the timid
traveller and cause him to change his mind
as to the destination of his journeyings.
First in order, of course, is the column for
the full name-half the name or initials will
not do Men. oh. We spinsters and ancient
young men, stern fate DEGREES truthful
statement of your age. No giddy young
thing of fortynine is allowed to pervert
the truth and drop any of her years She
must not figure on this document
tWenty-three years and seven months"
Sex" Is the next question, and John
Thomas Smith must be careful to announce
that he Is not feminine, even though he
may possibly be effeminate! Whether you
run in single or double harness must next
be confessed to. woe betide the prevail
Gator. Occupation. whether able to read
and write, nationality last residence. sea-
port for landing and final destination in the
Philippines are some of the further ques-
tons to be asked, and then, to prove that
the intending traveller is would he stow
away, he must state the fact Of his possess
sion or otherwise of a ticket to his destina-
ton. and. Furthermore. he or she must even
say whether the ticket was purchased with
his or her own other peoples money.
Then the condition Of ones finances must
be declared. and the actual sum of money
constituting ones worldly possessions, and
IF thirty or less. how much cash one has:
so that If one has thirty one must be
very careful not to under or overstate the
amount
Is the immigrant going to join a relative
that relatives name and address must be
given. If he has ever before been in the
Philippines whether he goes to work. under
contract or otherwise. are vital questions to
be truthfully answered.
Whether he has ever been in prison. aims
house or lived on charity, probe deeply into
his most intimately private affairs. For
though he might never have been in prison,
the truth-telling traveller might feel that he
should say If he has not that he ought to
have been. while the answer not YETI to
the question whether he is a polygamist
won't pass.
Finally. the condition of his health must
be stated-his mental. as well as physical
and If he tell the truth when he arrives at
this stage Of the differentiation he will
be very apt to say, bordering on insanity
And then. to- close up. he must state
whether he is crippled or deformed. If he
have only the $40, made so much @ point
Of he may be mentioned as crippled finan-
clally, and by the time he gets through he
will in all probability conclude that there
are other green fields and pastures. new,
and direct his footsteps toward them.