The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-04
MR. WEATHERSBEE ON EDUCA TIONAL
 CONDITIONS IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

George G. Neathersbee. supervisor of home and school gardens in Birmingham spent several years in the Philippine Islands as supervisor of schools and United states agricultural demonstrator before taking up agrcuitural work cx- clusivey. He has made a study of the native Fllpinos and knows from experi- ence If the life there.
 In speaking of the Philippines, Mr. Neathersbee says:
 Never in the history of colonial gov srument has there been such progress as nas taken place in the Philippines since the American occupation of the islands in 1898. There the teacher the scientist, the engineer and the doctor have taken the place of the armies us- ually considered necessary by colonzing nations; and by benefcient campaign of education have sown the seeds of en- lightenment tEat will, in time, fructify into a nation fitted by training and civ ilization for tho administration of an au- tonomous government
 True, in the begnning a misunder- standing of American motives necessi- tated forceful paciication of the islands, but with the advent of the teacher and all other agents of American education and progress. an era of peace and pros perity began that has continued with only occasional minor and sporadic interrup- tions
 ''rhe better class of the Fiipinos ap- preciate the altrustic interest of the American government in their welfare and willingly lend their influence and cooper alton in carrying on the great work of nrepaiiniy their people for the duties of self government It is only the cheap political agitators who sometimes create slight disturbances by playing upon the prejrdices of the ignorant classes.
 When the American troops landed at Manila nearly F years ago, they found the city rocking with all the dread dis eases Of the orient A filthier. more in- sanitary city could scarcely be found anywhere on the face of the globe. Ade- quate sewerage water and street clean ing system were unknown. Hundreds of people were dying from cholera and smallpox, and loathsome lepers were al lowed to mingle unmolested with the people in the streets.
 As in Cuba. Porto Rico, and more re- gently in Panama and Vera Cruz the first work of the American army of occupation was that of sanitation. The difficulties In the way of making Manila a modern
  able; but the indomitable American de- termination at last won out. with the re- suit that Manila is now the model city of the east, so far as health conditions are concerred.
 American sanitary officers had to solve not only the physical and mechanical problems incident to the work of munich pal house cleaning. but they had also to overcome the obstinate superstitions and preiudices of the people who were inher- ently opposed to being made clean. That all of these difficulties have been over come however. has been amply proven by the fact that there has not been death from cholera in the Philippines for the past three years, whereas before the American occupation thousands died every year from that dreaded disease. Small pox and buponic plague have almost dis appeared, and the wonderful government leper colonies have leprosy we'll under control