Evening star., 1915-02-21

TIE PHILIPPINE CARNIVAL
By Frederic J. Haskin.

This is carnival week in Manila,
where $4,000 miles from home. a hand
full Of Americans are hosts to all the
east and leading spirits in the great
est celebration in that part of the
world.
The carnival idea was evolved out Of
the eternal quest for amusement. For
now that the days Of struggle and con-
quest are over. life In the tropical east,
with it's ennervating climate, had be-
come tiresome to the hardy pioneer
from the states. Once what had seemed
a land of languorous romance had lost
its charm for him when tho last war
trench was filled, and there was moth
ing left but the humdrum of city life
In city that was not home. OF diver
sion there was none except club life
for the men and tea parties for the
women. The movies" had not yet
motest frontier. The theaters. used
but infrequently in the old Spanish
days, were closed. Automobiles were
still too much of a luxury to be en-
joyed by the less opulent.
So club life for the men and tea
parties for the women came to be a
bore. People pestered each other with
dfnners-dinners where one always
saw the same people and talked the
same fnanities with them.
-
This was the condition in Manila
when Maj. George H. Langhorne, U. S.
A., then stationed
Maj. Langhorne with his regiment
Starts Carnival. ,ms ware came 's,;,s ins. ts.
idea of a carnival-a Mardi Gras in
miniature. With the eagerness and en-
thusiasm of dulled energy offered a
new outlet. the plan was seized upon,
and resulted in the organization in the
latter days of 1903 OF the Philippine
Carnival Association. under whose au-
spices the annual show Is held.
With equal enthusiasm. the COM
munity set itself to planning the first
show. All were asked to contribute to
the work, expense and fun, and the re-
sponse was a revelation of the inher-
ent democracy of Americans abroad
Social distinctions were forgotten, and
an a worked with a will to make the
nrst carnival such a success that it's
memory still fingers as a part of that
vague but compelling "call of the
east, which recurs with strange per-
sistence to thousands who have lived
for while under its influence.
Upon Wallace Field, a beautiful pa
rade ground near the bay, a mystify-
ing carnival city reared its pinnacles
and towers and walls, within which the
ingenuity of a hundred Americans de-
Vfsed and executed as many forms of
amusement to startle and delight.
In Its inception the carnival idea was
local to Manila, but SO rapidly did the
news travel that from all the nearby
the magic words something new"
made tedious and dangerous Journeys
to the metropolis to take part in the
fun.
The first show was held in February,
1904. American Manila. from "the colo
ners lady to Judy
First Show Held oGrady." went
February, 1904. aa ma'' nan1,n and became .ns
same within and without as q kindly
providence and no fine line of distinc-
tion would permit. Native Manila was
Inclined at first to smile indulgently
at the whimsical strangers. Here and
there along LOCO lane," as the first
street was called. Juan de la Cruz.
house boy, looked on in amazement as
master and mistress engaged in an un-
dignified confetti fight. But the fun
was too infectious. and native Manila
Joined it before the week ended
The first carnival did its work bet
ter than the most sanguine of its boost
ers hoped tor. 1t tore the first gaping
hole In the wall of caste. furnished
nine full days of mad and carefree rev.
elry for badly jaded community and.
in a more serious sense, stretched the
first cable across the Heretofore un-
bridgable chasm between the average
American and the average Filipino
Their timidity overcome, the Filipinos
in the management and pleasures of
the annual event. Don Jaime and Juan
de Ia Cruz are now equally enthusiastic
"carnivalistas."
After the first carnival it's fame was
carried into the provinces by returning
Americans. and in late years Americans
and natives by the hundreds have jour-
neyed from the southernmost Islands
to the carnival city for their annual
brain dusting." Today no one who has
the price of a railroad or steamship
ticket misses the fun.
After the second carnival, Americans
and Europeans in China and Japan
showed signs Of in
Hundreds Flock terest in Manila's
l.. A. r.-:u.I big fiesta, and by
to the Carnival. ones and twos they
began journeying southwark in Janu-
ary. Later by tens and twenties, they
now go in specially scheduled ships
and by hundreds. The American COM
munities of Shanghai. Hongkong. Pc
king, Tientsin. Yokohama and Toxic
make the annual pilgrimage en- masse.
| bask for while in comforting prox-
| unity to Old Glory. kick up few yards
of American dirt, and return to their
stations relieved in mind and body.
and esctatically happy after a ding
with folks from home"
Steamship companies engaged in reg
ular passenger service to Manila ar
range their schedules to permit lay
over of several days during carnival
| week, so that through passengers may
enjoy the fun. The broad expanse Of
Manila bay Is the annual rendezvous
| for the Asiatic fleet in February. and
the trim ships and lively sailors add
| much to the general gayety.
Britons from India. China and Japan
| Australians. New Zealanders: French
| from the coast cities. Germans from
| Tsingtau, Portuguese from Macao and
many native Chinese and Japanese add