The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-21


not so industrious as the Japs, and
the population is only seven or eight
millions, although it is stated that the
population Of the Philippine Islands was
once three times what it is now.
great plague reduced the population to
its present proportions. The native Fill
ipinos, of course, where they have not
been much under Spanish or American
influence, do ret compare in thrift, en-
ergy and Intelligence with the japanese.
The tropics produce few great men, and
no great races. Cold weather seems to
be necessary to keep men active and
progressive.
In our drive about the city, We passed
the First Methodist church of Manila,
a. little frame structure not so preten-
tious as Trinity chapel in West Atchl-
son. But there are plenty of big churches
here. From the water front when a
stranger asks what certain notable
buildings are, he is told that they are
Catholic churches, cathedrals, mohds-
teries, etc. It is said that three-tourtns
of the natives belong to the Catholic
church. There are several d1fferent
Catholic orders here, which differ IN
doctrine about as much as Melhodlstss
Presbyterians, and Baptists. lIh1s
statement is made On the authority or
a Protestant minister; [ do not know
anything about it, MYSELF. The d1ffer-
emf Catholic orders are rich. the land
on which one Catholic church IN Ma
TIla is located, Is SalQ TO DS WOALD wv
million dollars. Most of the Catholic
churches are extensively and elaborate
~ build and contain art works Of con-
siderable merit. This, of course IS
Spanish, and not Filipino. In the early
davs. the Catholic orders were given
certain public lands by the Spanish gov
eminent. and these lands were WOfkeu
by the natives, on %shares: flhDlHo
always prefers to avoid responsibility,
and work for wages. or on shares
The "Friar lands" Of which you
hear so much. thus originated. ana
it is said by Protestants over mere
that the friars charged the natives
less rent than the present American
land rent in the Philippines amounts
to. The Catholic monasteries over
here. as elsewhere, have done much
for education; the most important
weather station in the islands is a
ports from this station are accepted
as final authority. A wonderful con-
trivanee known as typhoon barom-
eter was invented by a monk and is
now on use on nearly every ship, as
It gives long advance notice of the
/ approach of a typhoon, but pays no
attention to other weather conditions.
Last night I saw one of the Cath
/ Ole churches brilliantly Illuminated
/ by means of little tumblers filled with
I cocoanut oil. These were lighted
! and suspended by the thousand from
/ the front of the church. The yard
/ in front was also brilliantly lighted.
and packed with people. There were
/ dozens of gambling games. and hun
dreds of women selling all sorts OF
ices, CONNECTIONS, etc. It was a sort
of church fair. A very good Filipino
band played in the yard. and the bass
drummer was the leader. The in
strument that was exploited was the
/ E fat clarinet. q squeakers the E fiat
clarinet played a selection from Nor
ma, which finally ended with the IA
nous duet, a B fat clarinet aking the
other part. The professor who played
the bass drum and led the band was
a very important looking little man
and seemed to be all right. for his
i organization was an excellent one
The players played all evening with
out music. a characteristic of Filipino
bands. The Filipinos are very fond
Of music; in the great church pro-
cessions here as many as fifty bands