Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-16
Native Band in Manila Composed of
One Hundred Members.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The Manila Saloon and Abolition Of
the Caateen.
THE AVERAGE BARBER

Written for The Evening Star
The Filipinos are intensely fond of NIL
| sic. Lack Of means has prevented them
| in the past from advancement. but when
the dove of peace has made a permanent
home on the islands rapid progress will be
| made. They have many musicians there
now who have stirred the American bands
men deeply. Previous to the unpleasant
| ness Manila boosted Of native band COM
posed of hundred members which was
famous throughout the east. When Agui-
naldo returned from paid exile to Cavite
| in 1898 this band became his personal mu-
steal escort. Its members had deserted in
a body from Spanish Jurisdiction
Shortly after the arrival of the first ex-
petition to Cavite Gen. Anderson, who was
a strict dsciplinarian, had a review of all
the American troops. This was held on
the old plaza between the arsenal and the
town. The spectators were representatives
OF the navy, newspaper men, natives and
the Spanish prisoners of AguinaIdo the
latter filling the windows of the old dun
geons which faced the plaza There were
three American bands in the review-14th
Infantry, list California and the I'd Oregon.
The Americans had finished their part and
were returning to barracks when we were
startled by peculiar but melodious music,
which proved to be from Aggie's band
marching through the streets followed by
a detachment of insurgent troops
This band serenaded Gen. Anderson at
the Cavite arsenal July 4, 1885, and l en-
joyed its playing to the point of cheering
Its members had mostly reed instruments
and many comets. There were over fifty
members present on that occasion, but
they played SO low and sweet that it was
not possible to hear them 100 yards away
They evidently had not reached the classi-
cal stage, as their program was tuneful
throughout.
r,l,.
confined to the unclassical grade from
which he does not wish to soar. The Fill
pino bands selections were very touch
ing, and venture to say that the majority
of the small number of Americans present
were affected more by music that day than
at any time or by any band in the past
1 thoroughly agreed with a 18th Infantry
musician, and a good one, who remarked,
They are artists, every one of themR
Leader Handled the Bass Drum.
The leader Of the band was the bass drum
player, and he alone was worth the price,
as it was joy for the eye to watch his avo-
lutions. When the. concert was over and
the band started off with a lively march
this gentleman went through an act with
| hands and feet which put fitting climax
| to the entertainment The Americans We're
| thoroughly surprised, and pleased, and they
| stood around the plaza in groups discussing
| the Filipinos long after they had departed.
that time Represented Harper's and the
| New York Sun, was an enthusiastic admir-
er of this band,o and he gave it columns
| of praise. -
The members Of the band followed Aguin-
| aldo's fortunes, and it is hard to tell what
has become of them. but 1 hope they are
still intact, but loyal TO the United States
I should like. Ito see. them take trip
through the United States. They would
make profound impfessiop,
| The guitar. of course, Is the favorite in
strument, Of which l.. TIE Filip ,l are gem
| lightly and after dark the sweet music
can be heard fafntl " ifromnthe open win
dows. Our popular melodies} appeal very
of pathetic nature AFTER the BALI was
| the favOrite with them as | do not believe
| there was a native within ten miles of Ma
Mia who was not familiar with that tuneful
story of humanity. "a Hot Time in the
| Old Town was also strong favorite.
| Filipinos. particularly of the better class,
are polished in politeness and social ETH
| quette, and they were not favOrably i'm
pressed with the brusqueness of the west
ern volunteers and regulars In conducting
an ordinary business proposition they in
dulge in a lengthy social formality previous
to opening up the question at issue. They
| cannot understand why Americans wish to
do things in such rush, as there is SO
| much time in the tropics and there is al
| ways a manana
Saloons In Manila.
| The large number of saloons in Manila
| since American occupation has been the
| subject Of much controversy OF late, but
the number has been exaggerated. There
are not as many places where liquor is
| sold today as there were under Spanish
| rule, when the license only trifle.
| The impure water of Manila and Cavite
| is largely responsible for so many saloons,
| as it is unfit and dangerous for use unless
boiled and filtered. The muddy Potomac is
| pure In comparison.
| American soldiers were warned not to
| drink this water unless boiled, and II
caught violating the order they were sub
| Ject to court-martial. The temperance
| drinks sold at the average bar were Of
| local manufacture and equally as danger
| GUS to health as the water. American GIN
| ger ale was sold by the commissary, but
| it was not always obtainable. That is
| the principal reason why so much beer is
consumed by the Americans in Manila.
| Now that the army canteen is abolished
| look for a large death list regularly
from the islands, as the men will quench
| their thirst, which is chronic in the trop-
| les, with native drinks. The temperate
soldiers will not be able to get their iced
ginger aleas a canteen run on strictly tenn
| perance principles cannot support itself.
! I see by the late dispatches from large
| army posts that the adjustment Of the
canteen has been attended by dire results.
| Should one wish to investigate the differ
| ence before and after at the average post,
| Washington barracks, at the foot of AZ
street, can be taken as sample There
| the guard house is crowded beyond ca
pacity with men confined since beer and
| light wines were taken off the canteen list.
| These men committed misdemeanors while
| under the influence of the vilest Of whisky
| The nearest saloon being fully a mile from
| the mems quarters, they load up with
| bottles, with the consequence that they
| are not in condition in the morning for
| military duties.
Filipino Barber Shops.
| Filipino barber shops should be avoided.
| A Weary Willie beard should be cultivated
in preference sfheyr have straight-back
| chairs, with asocuishibn behind to reach
| which with yotff head it is necessary to
| stretch your neck taban alarming extent
| Their razors aIepnsEer sharp, as the ma
| tives have no beard, to speak of. They
make pretense. Of sharpening them upon
! a piece of wood which is as light as pa
| per. They have Perfect confidence In them
selves, these batbers as they start the
/ misery In buahfesstlike way. They APP
parently do not notice the tears which are
forced to your ey9E. nor the anxious
glances toward The artist from time to
| time. When the deed Is done the joy of
| relief is too great, and you are liable to
/ nay fiOuhIe Drifn ssodf hlpaSed are volI hat