The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-21
A Defense of Climate.

An animated protest against the Arperi- |
can newspaper libel Of the climate of the !
Philippine Islands is to be found in the
annual report of the board of health at
Manila. The director Of health. DR.. V.
G. Helser. who is an official Of the Unit
ed States Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service, shows impotence in the
document he has submitted with the fail
ure OF the newspapers at home 70
state accurately the conditions prevailing
in the islands. His remarks on the sub
iect are worth reproduction:
FAN obstacle Of no small Importance
with which the American government in
the Philippine Islands has had 70 con-
tend. but one which is generally not
taken into consideration, IS that Of the
widespread mistnformation concerning
the Islands. From Hamburg TO Hong
kong. from Singapore 10 the Suez. from
Washington 70 San Francisco. it is the
same. The climate. one Of the best Of
its kind in the world the people. the
great majority Of whom are peaceful and
contented. the resources. stil largely un-
developed; the harbOrs and the safety OF
the waters; the health condition. not by
any means bad, and the government.
which. If it has erred az all. has erred
on the side Of kindness and maEnanim-
ity, all come I'm for their share Of mis-
representation. Even matters about which
accurate data could be had for the ask
ing are the subject OF grossly misleading
newspaper articles. which. in some cases.
possess enough truth to give them an
aspect Of FEASIBILITY"
This defense Of the climate. the people.
the resources, and the geography Of the
Philippines may be read with profit on
the part Of the offending press At the
same time, It has been found inadvisabIe
TO keep the military force in the islands
longer than a period Of two years. and
few officers find II advantageous TO their
personal health 10 remain for a longer
period in the tours Of duty which find
them In any part Of the islands OF
course, there are places where the eli
mate is conducive 20 health. but there
are few Of the localities where the mill
tary force is stationed which could be
properly described as health resorts. Too
much may not be said In praise OF the
medical officers OF the army and the pub
/ lie health authorities for the way in
which they have overcome the disasters
of climate In the Philippines. The same
| beneficial results have attended the Wig
| liant enforcement Of rules Of sanitation
which distinguished the career Of the
medical officers in Cuba and Porto Rico
/ and now on the Isthmus OF Panama. It
/ IS entirely a question Of maintaining
cleanliness in the inhabited localities and
Of driving out the pestilential mosquito.
/ Cuba speedily reverted 10 an unhealthy
/ condition when the American army came
| back from the island; and when the
American medical officers returned 70
Cuba with the army Of pacihcation. they
/ found # necessary 10 resume their work
/ Of reclamation. In Porto Rico American
medical authority has been uninterrupted.
with the result that dreaded epidemics
have been avoided. The improved condi-
/ lions on the Isthmus Of Panama under
/ Col Gorgas have amounted 10 a miracle.
/ as compared with the hopeless and help
I less condition previously prevailing. Such
men as Gorgas have practically changed
a climate by depriving it Of its tcrrors
and its fatalities.
It is only fair TO say that the Ameri-
can newspapers which have contained
criticisms Of Philippine climate and the
rest of the situation on the islands have
gained their information from people who
have been there and who must have had
the experience which justlfes their preiu.
dice It is probable that the Philippine
Islands Will not become in many years
la haven OF refuge for people in search OF
health. 1t viii be accomplishing al tha,
IS expected Of the medical profession II
the islands If the sanitary conditions are
maintained so there may be no great
disaster among those who are compelled
10 stay there