The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-13
BUSINESS CHANCES IN MANILA.
Shoe Dealers, Photographers, and Watch
makers Much in Demand.

r. Irving Hancock in Leslie's Weekly.
About the financial adVisa blity of keep
ing and developing the Philippines there
can be no doubt These islands are bound
to become for US a very empire of wealth.
That Spain did not prove this is no argu-
ment The buccaneer method of the
Spanish system of colonial government Is
a proyerb. and the buccaneer has never
been a producer of wealth. While it is in
dubitable that the Philippines will be
mainly exploited by syndicates and large
capitalists, there is a chance-and a spen-
did one-for small investors OF the right
kind In this first letter 1 can give only
few samples OF the opportunities that
are waiting.
Right at the outset a well-cOnducted
American shOestore should succeed here.
Ever since our flag was hoisted in Maya
the durable American shoe has been
growing in popularity. There are plenty
of native-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 eagerness with
which a native will bargain with an
American soldier for a pair OF the solid
.
is ready to throw away is something in
structive. The poorest native who wears
shoes has already discovered that Tire
American shoes lead the world. Here.
then. is bright chance.
One Of the best chances to be found here
| Is waiting for the man who brings over
a good stock of good, cheap, and medium
/ grade American watches. But he must
! be capable of making thoroughly first
/ class repairs to WATCHES. At this present
| writing there is not a tirst-class Amerl-
| can watch repalrer in Manila. There are
several Of them who claim TO be. but the
| general 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 a
/ decent American watch in their hands
! for treatment, you are taking desperate
| chances
For two or three hrst-ciass photograph
ers 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
1 near as good a workman as the average
/ country operator In the United states.
Yet he charges SO Mexican for cabinet
! photographs, and gets it-eets IL plentiful
! " The American photographer WHO
( comes out here will DO well to bring with
I him, also. the agency for American goods
1 for Photographic amateurs. The present
| supply IS English, and Of sizes that do
| not AZ our cameras The Photographic
/ would do well, also, 10 be- prepared TO do
/ amateur developing and printing There
/ Is small sack Of Mexican mlntsge 70 Dc
/ earned az it every week.
/ American hardware. including some
/ kinds Of agricultural implements, Is IN
great demand here. IL is needless 70 say.
( however, that arms and ammunition viii
not get any farther than the custom
I house. Even pistols brought by civilian
I tourists are cOnfscated At the custom
! house. II would be far better Cor The
| American who thinks OF going into hard
! ware out here 10 ind out just what the
| demand Is. and then send back his orders
! 20 the States. Once the field h lnyestl-
! gated L will be found that hardware Of
/ fers a comfortable fortune In very few
! wears With the above suggestions, here
/ are a few general hints for the Intending
I American business man in Manila. Don't
I ~ 20 do 100 much AT the outset The
. climate Is against violent effort. a com
I Portable daily average " accomplishment
IL the happy medium. DOni give credit;
| Manila Is a city OF large and gBttsTin2
| promises. Don't try 70 get around on
/ foot: the native conveyance are cheap
! enough and save ones health. 10 DEAL
/ Ing with a native or SpaIiaTd. whether
| buying or selling don't expect 20 come %
Z terms On the day the subject j. brSseefdi
haEslins and pps'poning decisions are
/ practlees Of the country. A. soon a. you
decide on coming 70 Manila begin 10 study
| spanish Keep II rp all TIE ~2y Over
| here, ard a. soon as you arrive bee n
! DYacticlng. Spanish n easy 10 learn. and
! i Indispensable here. Master TIE native
| Tagaio dialect. TOO when the opportunity
| comes. az many Of the natives have only
the most imperfect knowledge OF spanish
Re temperate in ali thiugs-even IN your
I expectations as 10 the FIRST t1o OF three
! roorfhs' business. II takes a little time
10 get started and 20 become vel aDd
fav0fa0ly known