Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-08
IN THE PHILIPPINES
DR.. Washburn Tells of His
Experiences.
HEALTHFUL CLIMATE
PLAGUE NOT A SERIOUS DISEASE
IN MANILA.
Improvement in Industrial Conditions
Expected-The Development of
the Islands.

Eyes, I am glad to reach home again,
but not for the reason commonly given by
many of those who have sojourned in the
Philippine Islands," said DR.. W. 8. Wash
burn. chairman of the Philippine civil serv-
ice board, who has recently returned to
this city. DR.. Washburn was asked by
Star reporter today concerning various con-
ditions in the Philippines. and he talked
Interestingly of the islands.
Although" he continued, speaking of the
climate in the islands, II found a great
deal of hard work to do, yet 1t was ex-
tremely interesting and enjoyable. and. ex-
cept one or two slight illnesses. 1 really
had excellent health. In fact, my health
was never better 1 lived the greater part
of the time (about two years. in Manila.
but spent few weeks in different parts of
the archipelago. Many Americans living
in the provinces claim for their respective
localities preference in the matter of cli-
matte conditions to those of Manila.
Notwithstanding the complaints of peSSi-
miStS and visitors OF a few weeks IN the
islands you may put it down as fact that
the climate of the Philippine archipelago Is
pleasant equable and healthful. There are
many points here at home on the south AT
lantic and gulf coast not nearly so health-
1t is probably thoughtlessness, but it seems
to be the rule to charge the existence OF
Asiatic cholera, bubonic plague, dysentery'
ETC., directly to the climate. While the ell
mate is a tropical one. there Is prooaply no
country in the world more favored. Inc
temperature at the sea level rarely falls be-
low 60 or rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
and in the mountains for instance at Bag1o,
Benguet province, northern LuZon, where
the commission spent several weeks this
an inO no NOR
greeS Fahrenheit.
The Range Of Temperature.
1.-THE range of temperature is compare
lively low. There are no wide variations
and violent changes. The winter months
are delightful, and while the rainy season
extends through the summer and early fall
months, the temperature is moderate and
diseases tend to disappear.
mo, have no fault to find with the
Philippine climate The diseases of which
l have spoken and other tropical diseases
are not endemic or epidemic in the islands,
and are preventable with the observance of
reasona BILE hygienic measures.
plague is not serious disease in Ma
Mia, and does not exist outside of that
municipality. AS to cholera, condition
Of immunity is sure to obtain In the near
future, and the disease gradually disappear.
Comparatively few Americans have cholera
or dysentery, and practically none bubonic
plague. Typhoid fever, the dreaded scourge
in the United States, is not prevalent in
as do the malarial fevers. The mortality
is light in both. Yellow fever is unknown
So, all things considered, the Philippines
compare favorably with the United States
with respect to climate and to Zymotic dis
eases, and are decidedly preferable to
southern Asia, with its intense and almost
unbearable heat and breeding points of dis
ease extending from Hongkong and Canton
to the Mediterranean.
Industrial Conditions.
1.-The industrial conditions have not been
favorable, but as the causes which produce
those conditions are transient and not per-
manent improvement may be expected
when these causes are removed. Several
factors have combined to produce depres-
sion in the islands, but favorable conditions
are gradually being effected.
There is no question that the existence
of cholera has materially retarded activity
along all lines, but as the disease disap-
pears commercial activity increases as
shown by the customs receipts.
The beast of burden, the cacabao or wa
ter buffalo, is absolutely necessary for the
development of the islands agriculturally.
While 'rinderpest' has threatened the de-
struction of these valuable animals, there
is balm of Gilead, and the insular govern
ment Is aiding the situation by bringing
into the islands large numbers of immun-
lied animals to replete the decimated herds.
THE operation of the act of Congress
providing for a stable currency will soon
satisfactorily adjust the demoralizing cur
rency situation.
preliminary steps have actually been
taken under franchises recently granted
looking toward the construction of electric
and steam railroads.
Labor-Saving Machinery.
'Labor-saving machinery is being intro
duced into the islands
Through the bureau of agriculture ex-
Fermentation in vegetable and animal hus-
bandry is being extensively carried on.
This experimentation is bound not only to
improve the species of plants and animals
in the islands and to introduce others. but
also to stimulate the production of existing
ones, and thereby greatly increase the total
agricultural output.
1.-THE lowering of the duties on products
imported into the United States would
greatly aid in this direction.
1.-THE agricultural resources are practi-
cally inexhaustible because of the wonder
full fertility of the soil. In Japan an acre
of ground supports a large family. Only
about One-ninth one-tenth of the area
of the Japanese Islands is arabic, yet
there is an empire of 100000 of people,
prosperous and contented. The Philippine
archipelago is geologically similar to ia
pan. 1t is said that the comparative to-
biography is relatively favorable to the
Philippines. that there is relatively more
arabic land. When the insular government
obtains the vast tracts of splendid tillable
land of the islands. and 1t becomes avail
able to the rank and file Of the FIlipinos
by the purchase of small FARMS there is
reason to hope that the thorough cultiva-
ton Of these small tracts by actual owners
will tend to make happy and prosperous
rural communities, as is the case in Japan.
Liberal and Honest Government.