Evening star., 1902-08-04

currency is now worth more than that, the
employees object that they are not receiv-
ing the amount actually due them. The
navy rate for the current quarter is 43
7-10 cents; as we have the option of draw
ing our pay either in gold or Mexican. the
changing Of the rate need not affect our
pockets. l suppose the islands will event.
ually adopt the gold standard. OF course,
1t Is a complex question, and a change Of
the monetary standard, even for the better
Is likely to upset affairs temporarily. A
new banking institution has been started
here recently-the International Banking
Corporation Of New York. Among the di-
rectors I notice such men as Bache, Frck,
Edwin Gould and Luther Kountze The
banking interests Of the archipelago are
now in the hands of two large English in
stitutions that have branches all over the
east-the Chartered Bank of India, Austria
LA and China and the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation.
Cholera Epidemic.
Probably you have read of the epidemic
of cholera out here. The disease is con-
fined almost exclusively to the natives who
live with little or no regard to sanitary
conditions. A great many Filipinos and
Chinese have succumbed to this disease
Happily, 1t seems now to be on the de-
crease. AS cholera Is an intestinal disease
and only acquired from food or drink that
is infected, and Is not contagious in the or
dinary sense Of the word, one runs little or
no risk so long as he Is careful in his eat
ing and drinking. Once the germs get into
the system. they do their work swiftly,
usually proving fatal in from six to ten
hours. Any number of minor diseases are
floating around; nearly every one ashore
has to go through siege of dengue fever
This is not dangerous, but is severe while
it lasts. We are exceptionally well situated
on board, so far as healthfulness is con-
cerned, and I have not been sick day
since we sailed from New York.
Impressions Of Manila.
Eve arrived at Cavite on the Sd of April
and have been anchored off that place ever
since. with the exception of three or four
weeks spent in southern cruise. Manila
is about an hour distant by ferry. Govern
ment tugs make the trip twice day. The
first week we were here 1 saw about ell
there is to be seen in the city. and now
go over very seldom. 1t is. of course, a
very old place, and 1t contains some inter-
esting ancient cathedrals and other
buildings. The old palace is surrounded by
massive stone walls and has all the fortifi-
cations of a medieval castle-drawbridge
portculis and moat-and now the young
nag of the United States waves over it all.
"Catbalogan is in Samar. not far from
the scene Of the Balangiga massacre. The
day we arrived party of Filipinos had
surrendered. some of them having in their
possession arms and baggage that belonged
to that Inflated party.
The Islands Resources.
From the hasty view have had of these
islands 1t seems to me they have great re-
sources. At Polloc there is a long wharf
built entirely Of rosewood. and from the
reports hear the timber resources of some
of the islands can scarcely be overestimat-
ed. At present, of course, conditions are SO
unsettled that capital would be timid of
coming OUT but when the country has
quieted down and the tangled titles are
Strengthened out, believe there is much
money to be won IN these new possessions
of ours, provided legislation is wise.
According to the best information can
get we cannot without serious consequences
withdraw our troops at tkis time or any