The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-12
BUSINESS CHANCES IN MANILA
The Philippines Offer Many Opportn-
mites for Energetic Americans.

I'LL. j. HANCOCK. IN Ic-lte NtthlF.J
About the financial ACCESSIBILITY Of keep
ing and developing the Philippines, there
can be no doubt. These Islands are bound
to become for US very empire OF wealth.
That Spain did not prove this Is no argu-
ment. The buccaneer method OF the Span
ish system OF colonial government is a
proverb. and the buccaneer has never been
a producer OF wealth. While IL is indubt-
table that the Philippines will be mainly
exploited BY syndcates and large capital
lists there is q chance-and a splendid one
for small investors of the right kind.
In the first letter can give only few
samples of the opportunities that are
waiting
Right at the outset a well-eonducted
American shoe store should succeed here
Ever since our flag was hoisted in Man,. ,
the durable American shoe has been grow
ing in popularity There are plenty OF
natiye-made and Chinese made shoes
here. but they are poor article. looking
well at first. but soon playing out. They
can be sold cheaper than good American
shoes. but that will not affect the chances
of the latter. To see the eageruess with
which native will bargain with an Amer
lean soldier for a pair of the solid quarter
masters shoes which the soldier is ready
to throw away is something instructive
The poorest native who wears shoes has
already discovered that the American shoe
leads the world. Here. then. is bright
chance.
One of the best chances to be found here
IS waiting for tine man who brings over
good stock OF good cheap and medium
grade American watches. But he must
also be capable of making thoroughly first
class repairs to watches. At this present
writing there is not a first-ciass American
watch repairer in Manila. There are sew
eral of them who claim TO be. but the
,eperaI experience with them is that they
are frauds. They are European workmen
who have a Smattering conception OF the
Swiss movements but when you leave
decent American watch in their hanls for
treatment you are taking desperate
chances.
For two or three first-class photogra-
piers there is field enough right in Manila.
AS soon as the present troubles pass over.
there will be other fields in the larger
cities of the group The best present
photographer in Manila is not anywhere
near as good a workman as the average
country operator i'll the United States. Yet
he charges ten dollars Mex. for cabinet
photographs. and gets it-gets it plentiful
ly. The American photographer who
comes out here will do well to bring with
him also, the agency for american goods
for Photographic amateurs. The present
supply is English. and OF sizes that do not
fit our cameras The photographer would
do well, also TO be prepared to do ANA
teur developing and printing. There is a
small sack OF Mexican mintage 10 be
earned at it every week.
American hardware. including some
kinds of agricultural implements. is IN
great demand here. IL is needless TO
say. however. that arms and ammunition
will not get any further than the custom
house. Even pistols brought by CIVILIAN
tourists are coniiscated at the custom
house Ii would be far better for me
American who thinks of going Into hard-
ware cut here to find out Just what the
demand is and then send back his orders
10 tho states. Once the field Is investl-
yatad n will be found that hardware offers
I comfortable fortune in a very few years.
with the above suggestions, here are few
General hints for the intending American
business man OF Manila: Don't try TO co
foo much at the outset. The climate is
against violent effort. A comfortable
daily average Of accomplishment is the
happy medium. Don't give credit; Ma
Mia is a city Of large and gllttering pom
ises. Don't try to get around on foot;
the native conyeyances are cheap enough.
and save ones health.