St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-01-10
A MANILA NEWSPAPER.
Some Interesting Features OF = Dali!
Publication That CfrcuLates IN
the Philippines.

The sight of Manila paper, with
its editorials and locals, gives one
more realistic idea of that far-oH
archipelago than the brief kilograms
which from time to time reach us of
killings, insurrection or cholera, says
the Louisville Ceurier-Journal. 1t
makes one have better insight into
the local life and atmosphere of the
country to realize that there IS a
press there, and that it has the same
family features of that in this coun-
try. By the last Pacific mail we re-
ceived several numbers of the Daily
Manila American, some of eight and
others of IL pages. While the paper
and Typography are not up to the
style of the city daily, the editorial,
local matter and advertisements are
arranged in similar way. The read
ing matter is full of interest, bear
ing upon local topics, which are free
ly discussed. The American is thor
oughly American, but seems to have
an opponent as antagonistic in sent1-
ment, the Libertas, which champions
the Filipino interests. The removal
of the friars seems to be the subject
of special antagonism. Libertas thinks
their expulsion great outrage, while
the American defends the Washing
ton programme. The former asks II
ever a friar was seen drunk, as Amer
leans are constantly, on the streets
of Manila, and the latter denounces
it as insulting everything American.
it is not unlike Dickens account OF
the controversy between the Eatons-
well Gazette and it's youngest rival
The news from the island of Min
danao, lately so disturbing, is repre-
sented as peaceable, and sultans and
dattos are coming into camp daily
to pay visits of peace and compliment
to the commanding officer. 1t is even
reported that a newspaper is about to
be published in Samar. of bloody
memory. The cholera statistics show
that over 10000 deaths have occurred
in the group of islands since it's APP
pearance, a percentage of Is OF the
cases reported. It is announced that
the board of health and municipal
board intend to clean out the slums
of Manila, where the cholera is worst.
and remove to points beyond the city
$4,000 of it's inhabitants. The cost
is estimated at half a million dol
lars, and the proposed work includes
the widening and Strengthening of the
streets. The native doctors oppose
this, as generally every sanitary
measure prescribed for the better
health of the city. In fact, one can
see the outcrop in many ways of the
antagonism between the American
and home-rule parties.
The local news, though not volum-
inous, is characteristic. The arrivals
at the Hotel Oriente show that quite
all are Americans or English-speak-
ing. The cards of eight lawyers
and two doctors appear among the
advertisements, and the Manila Jock-
ey club announces it's approaching
opening meeting. Two japanese. one
American and two British steamship
lines announce the times for depart
ure of their regular packets, and
with it all one can see the evidences
OF life and commercial activity in the
far away city.
It is nearly 400 years. since the
Philippines, first called st. Lazarus is
lands, were discovered by Magellan.
Spain came into possession of them
so years later, and held them. with
brief intermission, until the late war.
This interval occurred in 1852, when
Manila was captured by the Eng
lish but restored two years later
upon the payment of $5,ooo,ooo. The
history of Spain's occupancy for
more than three centuries can be
summed up as comprising contests
with rebellious tribes, attacks by pi-
rates and reprisals on the part of
Spaniards, varied by volcanic erup-
tions, earthquakes and tornadoes to
break the monotony of their general
;pillage of the natives. It remains to
be seen whether the United Ststes -
will have better fortune than
predecessors and the natives ~ Rsvto
regret or rejoice oyenel1dr change
o$ 81