The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-05
ISLANDS.

Ihese peop,e live lavishly and have luxurl-, ous homes. When they entertain friend their hospitality knows no limit Mrs. Chaf- Tee was one of the most favored of the American Army officers wives her manner being pleasing and acceptable to them It cannot De said that a basis of thorough so- elai Intercourse was ever established be- tween these women of Manila and the Ameri- can women who went over there. Nor can this statement be rightly construed to re fleet adversely upon either the native women of the islands or the American women. Each had a personal social element os her own, in which she was satisfied to remain. In the provinces the men of wealth and position had refined wives and daughters, and were socially hospitable. In Northern Luzon, where Aguinaido claimed he would establish his headquarters and locate his capital at Tugugaron, there was great wealth and much entertaining. the Province of Isabella being rich and important one, where large crops of tobacco are raised and shipped
 Many beautiful women live there, and much of the success of men there Is due to their wives diplomacy, as 1t is in Europe and in the United States In the Province of Laguna de Bay there is a town of IA .o00 inhabitants. called Binan, and it was divided by the river running through 1t. At this place one of the seyerest battles was fought, but shortly afterward rice and vegetable gardens were growing. Here one could ob- tain a full Knowledge of the domestic and social lives of the native women, married and single. The first forcible impression WAS made by the handsome homes, with their china. silver, linen. massive carved and in laid furniture and exquisite simplicity of decoration. Things are not crowded upon other things. There always seems room enough The family relations are mutually respectful and harmonious. Between mother and daughter the tie Is beautiful and their companiouship Is of the closest. Courtesy exists in the home lives and the father and brother are treated with great consideration They are thrifty and industrious, generous and kind. Wine is not so pientifully intro duced into the home lives over there as 1t is in almost all other countries, but dainty refreshment is offered to guests.
 Flowers invariably abound, frequently growing in large urns. Exquisite orchids hang from the verandas. and there are laxu- rant flower gardens, rich with tropical palms. plants. shrubs and flowers. The women are expert traders, good bargain drivers, judges of diamonds and all precious stones. They are kind to their servants. No home Is without plano. and music Is uni yersal. There Is no community so small that if has not band. They have band If the players go barefoot and they play because they love it. Music Is natural to them, and it is frequently classical music. These bands play for weddings funerals. christenings, deaths. church services and festas. besiues sereuadiug all of the people of note who come to their barrios. When Governor Taft returned from the Philippines and went be fore the Senate committee to be interviewed by that body on matters of interest to the archipelago he said: Archbishop Mozelado expressed himself to me tliis way: If the franchise Is to be extended to the Fillpinos. it should be given to the women. as they represent largely the capable, Intelligent ele- ment of the Islands, and added Governor Taft. Il indorse this opinion"