Evening star., 1942-01-18
Americans in the Philippines
See Empire They Built Ruined
Haussermann Loses His $l23,OOO,OO0 Mines;
Manley, Rice and Transit Magnate,
Dies in japanese Camp
By James G. Winso.

Jdpdu - u1IcIcIltulk puISudllCc OA IlcI
asia for the Asiatics" policy is inflict-
ing hardship and suffering on all white
civilian residents in her wake, but Jespe-
cially on the 5000 trapped American nom
combatants scattered all over the Philip
pines from Aparri to Zamboanga.
Because Americans in the Philippines
enjoy the respect and even love of the
Filipinos, the Japanese apparently are
eager to humiliate them right on the
scenes Of their past glory. When the
japanese first poured into defenseless
Manila, they ordered the American resi-
the invasion, to remain in their homes
and warned that anybody appearing on
the streets would be summarily shot.
Although brutalities are not likely to be
perpetrated on the Americans in the
Philippines, for fear of prompt recrim-
inations on Japanese . the United
States, the japanese will do everything
else to show to the Filipinos that the
white mans person is entitled to no
greater consideration than the brown
mans. The fact that many Of the
Americans in the Philippines are per-
manent residents will make no difference
to the Japanese.
In fact, Manila's other white inhabi-
tants, including more than 1000 Ger
mans, an equal number of Italians and
almost 5000 Spanish citizens, also were
ordered to keep of the streets. So far
as the citizens of European Axis coun-
tries were concerned, this order was
obviously for their own protection. The
average japanese soldier Of course, can
not readily distinguish Americans from
other Caucasians.
"The Days of the Empire"
Americans who made the Philippines
their permanent home first went there
in the days of the empire" as these
ld-timers fondly call the early years OF
the United States regime. Many of them
were happily married to Filipmos, mes
tizos or Spaniards. They had no desire
to return to the United STATES, except
for brief visit. However, they usually
sent their sons and daughters, who were
born American citizens, to the United
States for their college education.
The ex-soldiers, as many of them were,
received pensions from their grateful
Government Their monthly checks from
Washington constituted almost their en-
tire income. Those leading an idyllic life
in the provinces sometimes engaged in
a little business, did q, little farming,
raised . few acres of coconuts, some
chickens and pigs.
at least in their late Cos. saw service in
the United States armed forces. Many
went to the islands as civilians. Shortly
after the war years 0898-190D the
American Governors General imported
hundreds of American teachers, clerks,
engineers. doctors and scientists.
Although the Philippines are noted for
the American soldiers who first became
famous through their services in the
islands, like Gen. John J. Pershing, Gen.
George c. Marshall, Gen. James G..
Harbord and Gen. Frederick Funston,
there were also many civilians who re-
ceived international notice because of
their achievements in that United States
Territory.
Springboard to the White House.
Among these were William Howard
Taft, who used Manila's Malacanang
Palace as a springboard to the White
House in Washington; DR.. Victor G.
Heiser, author of the best-seller. AN
American Doctors Odyssey" who, as
public health administrator, directed the
eradication of many contagious diseases
in the islands: Dr. Robert R. Williams,
whose invention of the process for max
ing the synthesis of vitamin B was based
on his experiments on beriberi at the
Philippine Bureau of Science, and
Frederick O'Brien, whose editorials in
the Manila Times were must" reading
to Manila Americans long before he
wrote the classic White Shadows in the
South Seas"
The first boatload of teachers alone
numbered 900. Members of this group
have been calling themselves Thomasites
ever since, after the Army transport
Thomas on which they arrived
An INDECENT American is a rarity in
the Philippines. However, only COM
paratively few of the soldiers. teachers
and clerks who remained in the islands
became millionaires.
Thes Philippines American aristo-
cracy is composed Of the few who be-
came very rich. They were powerful
and influential in the private counsel
Of the ruling Filipino politicos. but like
the rest Of the American community,
they abstained from active political
participation.
educational advance in modification Of
the uhiouitous lecture system. which