Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08

has taken, says Capt. Horton, il to con-
slider the establishment OF permanent posts
throughout the PhnHpine Islands with a
view to making use ST the appropriation
made for that purpose ut the last session Of
Congress The soldiers In the provinces
have for the mostp part been living in rented
buildings which wenaInot altogether sani-
tary and not at all adapted to the require
meuts of the military garrison. 1t Is de-
sired that in q shorfg time battalion posts
will be established ehsoughout the island,
which will afford thes soldiers more COM
Portable quarters. artdn which at the same
time will save the government considerable
expense, for the reason that the rent paid
for barracks and Quapters would in q short
time equal the cost Of the construction OF
a temporary post. y31
Capt Horton says Ihei found that the ma
tive troops have proNeG to be excellent ma
teriai, and that they frequently guarded
large supply trains sent by him from one
garrison to another. and that never was
anything lost or Shortage reported in
trains which they guarded. The native
ton and spend all their money on clothes
and equipment. These soldiers are always
important persons In the Filipino towns and
are looked up to by the native citizens The
constabulary is doing a good work and no
doubt in the future. when this organization
has acquired additional strength by reason
of longer experience II viii be able to give
even a better account Of itself. The officers
of the constabulary are ex-officers and nom
commissioned officers of the United States
volunteers. while the enlisted strength is
made up of Filipinos. ~
The people of the Philippines were very
glad to have Gov. TAFT back with them, So
Capt. Horton reports. and manifested their
pleasure by giving him a grand reception
the day he arrived. The reception was sup
plemented by a number OF dinners and
other functions Speeches of welcome were
made by representative men Of all classes.
Gov. Taft makes friends wherever he goes
4 nf all
whether the latter be of European educa-
ton or of the lower class, who are unable
to read or write. The American rule in
Manila has made itself felt in the appear
ance of the city as Well in other ways.
The new buildings, the great iron bridge
across the Pasig river the cold storage and
ice plant and the repairs made to the old
Spanish buildings have given a touch of life
to the old city. which to an extent, at least,
savors of America
Much Pleased With Singapore.
1--WE were all greatly disappointed that
General and Mrs. Chaffee were unable to
come back on the Mcclellan with U.S." says
Captain Horton. Our trip was most de-
lightful one. We stophed at Singapore sew
eral days and visited from there the Malay
peninsula and the capital of the Sultanate
Of Johore. We were pleased with Singa-
pore by reason of it's beautiful roads, fine
hotels and pretty stone buildings. All
along the route We were treated with the
greatest kindness. At each place an Off
cial visit was received from the military
authorities and all courtesies extended We
were greatly impressed with the sultanate
of Johore and the young sultan. who is a
splendid example Of the modern oriental
ruler. The last night We were in Singa-
pore We had all the Americans there come
out to the ship to dinner. We spent the
evening talking of old times in the land Of
the free.
Our next stop was Colombo, the Is
land of Ceylon. Colombo is a very inter-
esting city. and. like Singapore, belongs to
Great Britain, and is situated on an island.
1t has the distinction of possessing one of
the best hotels of the far east. The peo-
pie there were very kind. giving dance
at the hotel and showing us courtesies in
other ways. al
Most of our party made the side trip
to the town of Handy which is located in
the mountains in the Interior of the Island
of Ceylon. This town is one of the most
beautiful L have ever seen. 1t has a lake
In the center, which Is surrounded by ORR
entail houses, each with beautiful gardens
containing bright foliage and tropical
palms. The hills almost shut in Handy,
so that it is really atown in the valley, al
though located on che top of mountain.
1t is there that temple of great antiquity
is located and a visit; tout at night during
the time of prayer Is decidedly instructive.
OF course, the natives are Mohammedans.
and their manners and customs, to us, were
strange. The view. on the railroad going
from Colombo to Randy is delightful. The
track winds around the mountains, afford
ing the traveller a vision, across valleys
planted with rice and dotted here and there
with palms and trofsieal foliage, to other
mountains miles away. Colombo Is noted
for its precious stones, and many OF the
party purchased gems, such as rubies. sap
phires. garnets and opa1s to bring back for
presents to those at home.
Malta, our third stop, Is a place which
every one should visit who can do so. We
entered the harbor at night, and the view
as we dropped anchor In this historic and
picturesque place will always be remem-
bered. Malta is one mass Of hills. forts
and houses. The scene from the ship as
we lay at anchor in the bay only about
100 feet from shore reminded us of stage
setting of one of Shakespeare plays. Some
of the streets are steep that they are
simply series Of steps. 1t is impossible
for vehicles to pass them. Here we
had our first view of large British army.
The soldiers impressed us exceedingly, and
we naturally made many comparisons be-
tween them and our own. We all attended
the opera one evening and noted particu-
iarly that fully one-thrd of the men pres
ent were British officers, and that they
wore their mess jackets. which, with the
bright dresses of the ladies, formed a very
brilliant picture. OF course the great
church of st. Johns, built by the Knights
OF Malta. is historical attraction in
this island. 1t is the most beautiful church
l have ever been in, and certainly the most
historical. Malta is rich in churches hav
ing several such handsome structures. The
armor of the Knights of Malta now kept
In the governors palace is very interest
ing, and reminds one OF the stories of olden
times when the crusades were in progress
and deeds of arms We're the chief profess
sion of all mankind The rock where ST.
Paul landed when he was shipwrecked, and
the catacombs occupied by the Christians
are also to be seen. The chapel of bones.
which Is a small structure in the ground
lined on the sides and ceiling with the skull
and bones OF Christians whose remains
were removed from the catacombs. is one
OF the points of interest shown to travel.
ers. Malta Is tn; headquarters of the
British Mediterranean feet, and at almost
any time twenty-five or thirty big war
vessels may be seen at anchor in the har-
Dor.
Impregnability Of Gibraltar.
From Malta we proceeded to Gibraltar