Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-01-19

clothes bylclubbing them, and after two
weeks soiourn a man has to purchase a
new outfit, or arrange to leave the country
in time to disembark abroad with more
than buttonhole for a covering.
1t would certainly be presumptuous on
nv part to even attempt to comment on
the affairs existing in the field of war, and
the calumnious remarks attached to the
general in command here, who certainly is
overworked and shoulders not only the re-
sponsibility of the campaigns, but, also, the
municipal tribulations Accordingly, I'll
but give you what I've CLEANED authorita-
lively and tell you that everybody here is
most sanguine of speedy success, and the
prevailing sentiments and ideas of the fu-
ture of the Philippines l heartily agree
with, for they are not as so many home
sick, loose-livered volunteers have pictured
them after a few months of incessant
drinking in the tropics, but, on the con-
trary, they are most fertile, rich, attract
i've and comparatively healthy and the
| tropical sisters of Japan in every respect,
and far superior to either Japan or China
in undeveloped resources and promising
future.
They are surely priced by nearly every
American capable of passing an unbiased
opinion now in Manila and, naturally, a
soldier in the trenches and swampy rice
paddles is not apt to think of his comforta-
BILE companions at home and then write of
the beauties of the Philippines, nor is he
able to Judge them correctly until he has
visited other places in the Orient, or be-
yond the limits of his own state, that are
worse.
To say that the country is picturesque
and bristling with a life thrifty and ex-
ceedingly interesting is to put it mildly,
and after driving but a mile from the cen
ire of the city, one enters most luxuriant
tropical growth producing all kinds of
fruit and nearly every variety of plant
life.
1t was through little hamlets surrounded
by such a natural wealth that the trenches
were dug and the line of insurgent defences
thrown up.
With Major Hawthorne Goth infantry,
who fought and drove the insurgents out
of this section, l went to Pasay and the
inner and only line of defence we now hold
around Manila. We went over the exact
territory of the battle, which began Feb.
| 4, 99, and past the ruins of the Spanish
blockhouses and riddled churches, which is
today most peaceable and historical, but
the moral presence of few soldiers is still
considered necessary. In fact, none Of
the country is safe to traverse throe milei
beyond the city limits and pass is requir
ed for everyone.
On our rteurn we visited an old Jesui
observatory and this was luckily spared I
shell, for in it are the most delicate anC
modern meteorological and Astronomical
instruments in the world The machines
| for ranOrIsnrr h. okooEa nA
location of sounds are said to be 80 accu
rate that they are disturbed and record tn
dropping of pin. It's from this institu
ton that the predictions and forecasts ar
given to China and the countries of tn
East.
Within the city of Manila, martial Law
reigns and, to prevent the uprising whicl
has so long been feared, about 2000 troop
are stationed in various sections, and ais
there is a native police force which is chief
ly on duty during the day. Everybod
must be in the house by $50 p. NJ, an
anyone caught out after that hour is i'm
mediately halted and arrested.
In Lieut.. +. II. Lawton Judge of Proves
COURT, who found me here and whom Har
ry Estey will know, have foun1 rich luck
for conidentially he has given me a geneT
al permit to go out nights, and in case tn
guards refuse to accept his pass, go wit
them to the nearest police station and pu
up So bail. l intend to have him try m
some day as joke on him.
Romantic as anything I've ever don
was the ball (army and navy attended i
the Provost Marshal Generals palace i
the walled city last night. 1t was a mag
nifcent affair socially and en- route to tn
place l had the carriage stopped 10 time
by armed guards, and you must understan
there's no Vermont military muster prime
in the leveled Krags, but the real things.
It's certainly treat to get out doors q
: night for it's actually impossible to go GU
doors between 8 A. NJ. and p. NJ. withou
''passing away" under the heat. = A cool
} ing stove going full blest would be asian
} ed of itself in such heat as exists here j
} the middle of this November day, but til
: nights are, fortunately, quite comfortable
As shall write you an added folio tomol
row I'll let you thoroughly digest this an
in wishing you all we'll, repeat; that II
| warm for Manila and I'm proud call
| ours. @. FRED OHILDs.