The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-05-28
.HOELL|NCER Tells
OF PHILIPPINES

MlNOT MAN GIVES GRAPHIC AC-
COUNT OF HIS TRIP AROUND
THE WORLD - OUR STRONG
FORTIFICATIONS AT MANILA.
a In previous letter, Mr.. Hoellinger
told Of his approach to Manila in the
Philippine Islands. Continuing he
says; y.o ouo .,,,, o.,o, 60 ... :, ~
bay and the soldiers have a record of
100 per cent for target as they can
put ball in any 100 square feet any
time, the worlds record. On this for
tilted island are vaults built which will
hold all the gold and valuables in
Manila and the Philippines and
enough food to hold out against the
enemy for two years for every one of
the 10000 Americans on the Islands,
besides an army of $4,000.
l will put in little paragraph here
telling how Dewey fought his battle.
He did not fight at Manila, but IA
miles from the city, in the bay, of
course, and at the naval station. He
started early and then pulled back his
feet, himself and crew eating break
fast, and then returned and finished
the Spaniards. We had one of his
sailors on our boat and he pointed
out the spot and told us how their
hearts were up in their throats when
they were slipping thru without lights.
Manila bay from the fort to the city
is about 20 miles long and perhaps as
wide at the widest point.
Coming back to the fortifcation, I
do not mean that no enemy can take
them. The only way they can, how
ever, is coming overland from across
the island, which is only 100 miles.
They can march into Manila that way
but would have to cross ridge of
mountains and they would have a
nice time as our boys would be on the
lookout. / was of the belief that Jap
an could 60 right in, but changed my
mind. But something is likely to hap
pen worse than possible trouble with
Japan and that is a revolution, if they
give the natives their independence.
The real facts about the Philippines
are held back. As it would fill . news
paper to tell you all heard will pass
most of it up. The merchants are not
ordering anything more except under
contract and quite few are leaving
already. There were over $4,000, 900
worth of buildings to be started at
once, the old places torn down and the
plans drawn, but everything was can
celled until Uncle Sam makes known
his stand. They are not afraid of Jap
an-they only laugh at that-but they
do not wish to remain. if the Philip
pines get independence. As matter
of fact, only few would derive any
benefit out of it, and as Aguinaldo
told them, it would not be six months
before they would revolt. Uncle Sam
is too good to those darkies.
The first view you get in the city
is the Manila hotel, which is equal to
any in the United States. A few
hundred yards back of that is Span
ish wall, built several centuries ago,
when Spain was mistress Of the sea-
Some of the gates are marked as far
back as 1912.
Within the walls stands an old dig
nified Cathedral with big square tow
ers and gilded dome, built away back
in the seventeen hundreds. And we all
thot it wonder to find such things in
the tropics and q real part OF the Or,
lent. Old Manila, or what they call
the wall city, can boast Of only one
mile square and hardly any business
is done there. It is only matter OF
few steps to get to the new part
The main travel is done by cart with
q little pony not much larger than q
big Newfoundland dog. a.,
The streets are narrow and crook
ed and the most of the buildings are
from an architectural point Of view
centuries back, but the clerks and
businessmen in the stores are truly
Americans with their love for barter
and trade. Manila has an up-to-dats
electric railway and automobiles till
you can't rest, SO it really looked 9
little like home. The more saw Of
Manila the better liked it. Its arch.
fracture Of massive stone with gates
ard balconies Of iron. But there was
more that I had to learn OF this won.
derful Oriental city. It was after
had travelled up to Canton, China, that
Icould appreciate what the Americans
had done within q few years. learn:
"a that they had made more actual
nrorress in these few years thar
Spe5n had done in centuries. Before
tie days Of American occupation, san.
.itation was unknown and no pure wat.
er and that meat hole around the city
must have been far from desirable
health resort. The moat hole has beer
Allied and made into play ground and
perks. where you see old and young
during the day and evening. Tennis
0rounds have been put there for the
1,,hlic use. foot ball grounds and every
imaginable game going on: The resi-
dence streets are very wide with fint
houses adorned with hedges, trees ant
We will leave Manila and 60 tt
Hong Kong. Arrived at 8 q. m. Saw
flags on ships representing every coun
try as Hong Kong is known as thu
greatest sea port in the world, for &C
tual tonnage. For the first time in m, m
/ life learned that Hong Kong is ths
..,.aa AZ 4ha ialand md nnf the sea