The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-15
LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
I'm n Material Way, at Least, Amer
leans Have Brought Improvement.

| Emma r. Ross, in Boston Transcript.
The coming of the American teacher is
one of the most momentouS events in the
history of the islands. They are eagerly
welcomed, feted, and in most cases every
thing is done for their comfort. The natives
are eager to learn, very polite and tractable
but their training seems To have been all
in the direction of memory and little if any
cultivation of the thinking. reasoning pow
ers. How far their education can be car
ried is a question. The English teacher
| serves under a Philippine principal, teach
ing English to all the classes, but having
for his chief work the instruction of the
| native teachers. Too much praise cannot
be given these. All the instruction is now
in English, and these teachers, who have
only the slightest knowledge of our tongue.
are patiently working with new methods
under hard conditions. Could you teach
French easily after forty days attendance
at a French school? Something like this
the 'savages" are doing here, and in most
cases doing it well.
Are things settled in the Philippines? Do
the people accept American rule? No one
| can tell. The people seem kindly disposed,
but one never feels that he has sounded
their real thought. One teacher worked
three weeks 10 get from her pupils some
/
last when asked TO give a sentence using
the word like a small boy said, 81 do
not like a shirt" But when she asked her
native teachers what changes had been
made since the Americans came they only
specified that different sweets (candies)
were sold. Either very guileless or a very
guileful answer
If the experiment, for ii is still an ex-
pertinent. fails the Americans can blame
themselves largely. The army acts like
spoiled sulky child-there is much friction
between the different departments of the
government. 1t is hard for them realize
that each is a part Of the general scheme.
The drunken soldier is another menace.
Two soldiers were riding in a carriage. The
hat of one blew off and he told native
10 pick ii up This was done. when the
soldier drew his revolver and shot the man
dead. The paper reported that the funeral
was attended by 800 sullen looking friends
In another province the soldiers leaving
after d long stay were followed by weeping
women. They even went in boats and
climbed up the sides of the vessel, only To
be beaten back with muskets. A disgrace
TO American manhood. Many officers and
most of the soldiers are fine examples OF
American chivalry and uprightness, but
the exceptions undo so fast what has been
gained so slowly Then what is the infiu-
ence or minister OF the gospel OF peace
who advertises his theme as THE Massacre
of Samar a Fulhllment of Scripture"
But Il is wonderful how much has been
done for the material Improvement of the
islands, and Of Manila, OF which / know
most - good postal service. good roads.
There Is some large fund available, X
tensive improvements are being carried out
The streets are macademiZed watered and
kept very clean. The sanitary condition Of
the city would compare very faVorably with
our cities at home. | went through the
worst slums of Manila the other day and
saw no Nth, no dirty children, no rough,
coarse people. The government has a large
! ice plant. furnishing abundance OF ice at
| lower price than in the States. This, IL is
said has reduced the death rate very
| greatly. Distilled water Is also supplied
from the volunteer regiments. The crowd
| ed Chinese quarters and the unsavory nipa
! huts OF old time being cleared out
! and burned The sChOolhouses, while IN
adapted 10 the work, are clean. and so are
| the children.
Indeed. though this may seem a Rem
! brandtesque sketch mostly shadows. / feel
| that nothing here Il so black as IL was
| painted to me- / recall the story OF the
! dying man who told his family that he had
| Rad many troubles In his life. most OF
| which never happened. The heat Is not
SO bad in New York or Boston; we have
eaten the new things. in moderation, with
out the collapse of our digestive system.
we have escaped the dreadful diseases.
/ and We have been az happy as need be
! How can II be otherwise with these de-
/ licious mornings, so cool and sweet. the
/ glorious sunsets and the soft splendor OF
| the nights. the happy. chatting people In
| their bright. picturesque costumes. their
gay laughter. their courtesy and kindnsssf