Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-07-04
DecOrahian Writes About His Visit to
Manila and the Philippine
Islands.
THESE ISLANDS NUMBER
OVER THREE THOUSAND
fnnks It Was a Misfortune When
the United States Acquired
Them.
Continued from first page)

as all heavy hauling, is done with
these the same as in Egypt.
One afternoon we took a ride to
FIT. Mckinley; the fort is about five
miles from the city on a rise of
ground on what would seem a very
favorable location; here Uncle Sam
maintains his largest army post. All
the surroundings were well cared
for, showing American spirit.
Returning from the Fort we travel
down the Pasig river. The city is
built On the delta of this stream and
numerous esteros, the river making
very valuable location for com
merce.
To the south of the river is the
walled city enclosing nearly a mile
square, between this and the bay
called the luneta is the modern city
built largely on made ground.
Here are situated the fine schools
and hospitals and it is here that the
greatest improvements were made,
as was riding On one of the best
streets; noticed it bore the name of
Taft, no doubt from his being COVER
nor general at the time these i'm
provements were being made.
On Wallace court facing the June
Ia are the imposing buildings of the
carnival which has for ten years
been held here in February each
year. In front Of the carnival en-
trance stands the beautiful granite
monument erected to the memory of
Jose Rial the greatest patriot and
statesman that these islands have
produced. This martyr was executed
on Bacumbagon field, Dec. 13, 1896.
He was no doubt the brightest light
ever produced of these people. l no.
ticed the name of Taft as one of the
committee of erection.
Visited beautiful aquarium. the
fish having most delicate colors but
the most interesting the pythons as
they lay dormant shedding their
skins. / was Informed by the native
collector that they fed them once a
month live kid and that for about
two weeks of the four they lay as
they did while there.
The population of the city is about
$4,000 Europeans; 100000 Chinese
and Spanish half breeds, the balance
of native stock Negrotos and that
mixture.
At this far north Of the equator
the earth turns at just about 900
miles an hour while where we live
500 miles would be much nearer
the movement.
My advice before we sail from this
land, to the young man of America
is don't think of making your home
in this southern cline. Deterioration
is the natural condition of this weak
ening climate and civilization seeks
more bracing atmosphere.
A southern climate is sure to get
you and your energy.
At IL noon the 25th of March, we
sailed out Of Manila for Hong Kong,
635 miles across the China Sea. This
China Sea which had always looked
to me like small pond we sailed on
nearly $500 miles. Our trip to
Hong Kong was through a very
rough sea as this sea is usually
rough, subject to typhoons and des-
tructive storms.
Tuesday morning, the 9th we are
entering the beautiful harbor of
Hong Kong on which is situated the
city OF Victoria. AS is commonly
thought there is no city of Hong
Kong but the island is Hong Kong
and the city Victoria. The entrance
to the harbor is only a few rods wide
but it is fifteen miles from the en-
trance to the city of Victoria and
one Of the most beautiful harbors
as is Victoria one of the most beau
tiful cities of the world. AS we
steam up the harbor this beautiful
city high up on the mountain pre-
sents a view seldom seen in travels
anywhere.
The city has about 100000 peo-
pie largely Chinese, 5000 Cauca-
slams, but it's affairs entirely man
aged by Great Britain who own the
island, it having been ceded to
them in 1841. Its location being
desirable for commercial pursuit and
at that time this location was the
center for pirates who infested this
portion of Asia and still as / shall
explain are a dreaded scourge ex-
cept where British influence has ov-
erawed them.
Ordinarily there are few restric-
tons in entering this city but the |
present war has changed all this. In
spection is now the most rigid and |
and it was a long time |
before we were permitted to land, |
not until noon of that day.
AS to collecting revenue that cut |
little figure as the only article on |
which they collect any amount Of |
revenue is liquor, but on this they |
are very strict and collect very |
high import duty. / will say here
that this is one Of the best support |
ed located colonies in the world, |
their principal revenue coming from |
rents, they receiving 81 per cent Of |
all rentals on all homes or places OF |
business and as I understand it If |
one owned his home the same as
sessment is made as to what rental |
1t would bring. With this enor- |
nous, easily collected income, 1t is
the best improved and kept up city |
I have ever seen.
On landing we take rikshas to the |
Hong Kong Hotel where we had en-
gagged as our home, but when we ar
rived there we found those occupy |
ing the rooms refused to vacate and
40 we were to go from here to Can
ton we decided to go on that day and
have our Rooms reserved for our
II