Evening journal., 1906-10-31

warehouses and a number Of handsome
buildings. Government Offices will occupy
the present Luneta and the pleasance will
be carried westward on to the made
ground. One OF the anest hotels in the
East win stand on the edge Of the New
Luneta. Half a mile farther south the
residence Of the governor and a row Of
clubhouses will face the bay. When these
alterations are completed. Manila will, un-
doubtedy, be one Of the most beautiful
cities IN the world.
But the irst efforts Of the commission
have, with marked success, been directed
towards the improved sanitation Of the
city. An extensive system Of sewerage
sufficient for a population Of half a mil
lion-that is, double that Of the present
is now being laid at an expense OF S3,-
100000. The water supply has been In
creased and improved and crematories for
the consumption OF garbare have been In
stalled. The accumulated hlth Of centuries
has been removed and the streets are now
cleaned with daily regularity. The result
OF these measures is already in evidence
in the recorded bill OF health OF Manila,
which compares favorably with that OF
large cities the world over. and is better
than that Of large eenters on the conti-
nent Of Asia.
The hospital. police and Gre services
are in marked contrast with those main
tained by the Spanish government. which
was so thoroughly permeated with graft
that only a small proportion OF the funds
designed for public improvements ever Ill
tered throurh the fingers Of greedy Off
cials.
Whilst energetically pushing these
measures for the general benefit Of the
population, the administration has en-
gagged In important works looking to the
enhancement Of the commerce Of the
country. Under Spain the trade Of the
Islands was never fostered. Removable
physical obstacles were allowed to con-
tinue. monopolles were permitted and un-
necessary legal restrictions were imposed.
With one OF the finest harbors in the
world, Manila was allowed to remain one
OF the least inviting ports IN the Orient
II vessel needed repairs entaiing dock
ing, It was necessary to take It to Hong
kong. Port dues were excessive and sub
ject to arbitrary discrimination. The Bay
Of Manila is so expansive as to afford lit
tie harborage In severe storms. Vessels
have frequently been torn from their an
chorage and blown ashore. During the
course OF many years the port authorities
exacted dues which were ostensiby In
tended to furnish the means OF building a
breakwater. Several millions Of dollars
were collected for the purpose but nothing
more than a scrap OF sea wall ever mate
riali7cd and that reproach TO n venal gov
err nj was pitifully obllterated by the
elements some years ago. Ships drawing
In excoss Of l3 feet Of water could not 60
into the river, but required to anchor at
about two miles from the shore. Cargoes
were transferred in lighters, and as this
could only be done in fair weather, delays
sometimes running into a week or 10
daye, were incurred. involving wasteful
demurrage charges, In addition to the un-
usual expense Of the method Of transfer
It is needless to say that under such con-
dltions. masters. who had any freedom OF
choice. Stunned Manila, and the port lost
much trade that It would otherwise have
enjoyed. Manila is passing from this posi-
ton OF disadvantage to that Of one OF the