The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-12

warehouses and number of handsome
buildings. Government offices will occupy
the present Luneta and the pieasance will
be carried westward on TO the made
ground. One Of the finest hotels in the
East will 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 completed Manila WILL
doubtedly. be one of the most beautiful
cities in the world.
But the first efforts Of the commission
have, with marked success been directed
towards the improved sanitation of the
city. An extensive system of sewerage,
sufficient for population Of half mill
lion-that is. double that OF the present
is now being laid at expense OF ST.
100000. The water supply has besn In
creased and improved and crematories for
the consumption OF garbare have been In
stalled. The accumulated filth 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 centers on the CONT
nent of Asia.
IN marked contrast with those main
tanned by the Spanish government. which
was thoroughly permeated with graft
that only small proportion OF the funds
designed for public improvements ever III
tered throurh the fingers OF greedy OFF,
Gals.
Whilst energetically pushing these
measures for the general benefit of the
population, the administration has
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
tinue. monopoles were permitted and I'M
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.
If vessel needed repairs entailing dock
ing, 1t was necessary to take 1t 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 ostensibly 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
rallied and that reproach to a venal gov
eminent pitifully obliterated by the
elements some years ago. Ships drawing
In excess of 13 feet of water could not go
into the river, but required to anchor Mt
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 week or 10
daye, were incurred. involving wasteful
demurrage charges, in addition to the I'M
usual expense of the method of transfer
1t Is needless to say that under such con-
ditions, 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