Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-05-20

a substantial but not imposing struc-
ture erected about 300 years ago by
the Spaniards. Since coming into
control of the Americans, the bridge
has twice been widened to accommo-
date the traffic, and even now at
times it is inadequate for the de-
mands. Close by, on the river bank,
I is the mammoth cold-stOrage plant,
built by the Government and which
proved of SO much benefit to the
soldiers OF Uncle Sam Fort Ne
: kinley, about seven miles from Ma
Mia, was our objective point, and
after very pleasant ride we landed
] and inspected the grounds. The
fort is not fort at all, but an
army post. 1t is located on high
rolling ground, and a better site
could not be secured. Infantry, ar
tillery and cavalry are stationed
here. and special review was given
for US. Between four and five ti,ous-
and men are quartered here and
nearly all participated in the exer-
cises. 1t was both instructive and
entertaining, as each branch of the
service went through their special
drills, as well as passing in review.
The Governor General of the Is
lands, w. Cameron Forbes, gave us
q reception at his residence, which,
in the time of Spanish rule, was the
abode of the Spanish Governor-Gc
raj. The grounds were illuminated;
refreshments, both liquid and solid,
were provided and this representa-
tive of the United States was unani-
mously voted a royal good fellow.
Manila has many interesting
sights. The walls enclosing the
Walled City," being one of them.
They were built as Notifications and
being very thick and of stone, they
were sufficiently strong to withstand
the attacks of the weapons of that
period but, of course. modern guns
of large calibcr would readily de-
| molish them. A moat surrounded
the walls, and the only means of en-
try to the Walled City was through
gateways which were at all times
guarded. The opening in the walls
not being sufficient in number to ac-
commodate the increased traffic"
arising from the larger population
inhabiting the city of Manila under
American rule, two new openings
were made, but on account of the his
tOrical interest connected with these
walls no, other changes will be per-
mitted. Dungeons can be seen in
these walls, and it is said that in
early days the Spaniards used to put
the Filipino prisoners of war into
these and the tide would come up
and drown them. During the insur-
rection. all unarmed persons who ap-
piled were sheltered within the
walled city.
Considerable historical interest is
attached to the many old churches.
Previous to the war the Catholic
church was almost exclusively the
only one providing for the spiritual
needs OF the Filipinos. To day there
are other religious bodies having
substantial places of worship.
The principal street is called "'rhe
Esculta." 1t is narrow and and ir-
regularly laid out. The walks are
also very narrow and in places the
buildings project out from the regu-
lar building line so as to occupy the
entire width OF the sidewalk space,
and at Such points one takes to the
street. The city has improved much
under American rule. Sanitary reg
ulations are stringent and vigorously
enforced. All hotels must use dis
titled water, and on places of public
resort can be seen cards showing the
date they were last inspected.
These inspections are frequent and
thorough. and if the establishment is
found to be below standard, it must
be Immediately put in order. In
1903, Manila's death-rate was 14.8,
but as consequence of the inspec-
tiOns in 1907 it was only $50 per
thousand and in 1909, 9.8. Chicago,
in 1907, had sixteen deaths to the
thousand and in 1903 fourteen; Bos.
ton ~. l in 1907. l9,1 in 1903, and in
other large cities the rate was even
higher, There has not been a single
case of plague in the islands for about
two years.
The stceet.car service is excellent,
and few cities can boast of better.
Electricity is the motive power and
Filipinos are employed as motormen
and conductors. 1t is quite a con-
trast to the days of '99, when the
cars were drawn by animals, by cour-
tesy called horses. Then it was a
common thing for the passengers to
be compelled to get out at the Bridge
OF Spain and help push the car up
the incline. for the horses were
frequently not equal to the task of
hauling even the empty car up this
grade.
Finding more bridges we're neces-
sary, they were provided by the