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Show IN THE PHILIPPINES. BB.T1SH CONSULS ON AMERICAN AMERI-CAN IMPROVEMENTS. , VHW and 0rtler Being Kestored and Natives Returning to Agricultural I'ur-tfults I'ur-tfults Improvement Kverrvrhere y ostofBce and Telegraph Well Conducted Consul Halstead Eends from Birmingham, Birm-ingham, June 11, 1900, the following abstract of the annual report of the BiWsh consul at Manila: "'f he collapse of the insurrection last November and t ie opening of the ports Uce January 1 having restored confi-dicce, confi-dicce, great activity in commercial Quarters has ensued. Law and order are Beiug jeaiuica wt lapiuij as pua- !ble, but the immense size of the country coun-try renders it a difficult task. The natives, I believe, would willingly return re-turn to their agricultural pursuits, but the influence pf their leaders appears sufficiently strong- to keep them from surrendering. "Prices have increased to such an extent ex-tent that Manila, which till recently might be classed as a cheap place to live In, must now be considered the reverse. re-verse. As yet the provision markets are not seriously affected, , though fruit, vegetables, game, etc., are 20 per cent dearer; but houSe rent, servants, carriages, horses, launches, and labor of every description are already treble the price of last year. In consequence ot the great den And, launch hire and everything connected with shipping commands its own price. Improve- ments are visible in every direction, and already the town has quite a dif- ferent appearance from last year. The work of draining the filthy town ditches ditch-es and stagnant pools, which is in contemplation, may possibly entail an epidemic, but the advantage to posterity poster-ity is inestimable. The recovered land of the city walls arid moat will provide building sites which Ameri-' Ameri-' can enterprise will know how to utilize; uti-lize; and although Manila will never become a fashionable watering place, It may become a great commercial power in these waters before the first quarter of the century is passed. "The two well-known leading industries indus-tries of Manila hemp and tobacco-will, tobacco-will, I fear, suffer very severely for some time from the late insurrection; but there are no doubt at present golden gold-en opportunities for the employment, of capital and talent in many local trades. . Ice manufactories, livery stables, ho-' ho-' tels, and general enterprises are much wanted; but I most strongly deprecate young men without? capital (no matter what their education may be) coming here In search of employment The ' departments of the post-office and telegraph, tele-graph, being now under American and British control, are admirably conducted. con-ducted. The telephone, the water supply, sup-ply, and the electric lighting are Spanish, Span-ish, and also deserve great praise. The electric-lighting plant is being enlarged and Manila will soon be one of the best lighted towns in the east. l ne uninese lauur iiu great importance in these, islands. America's experience of it In California Califor-nia not being-satisfactory, there is strong influence against it; but, taking Into consideration the natural indolence indo-lence of the Filipino, it will probably be found Impossible to do without the Chinese. One of the principal objections objec-tions is that by their industrious habits hab-its they gradually obtain a monopoly In all retail trades; but this may be remedied by confining their enterprise simply tos manual labor, and for this they are most admirably adapted, and In the hot season positively necessary. The Filipinos make excellent clerks, if they can be well overlooked; but n allowed, they will spend their time in gambling and cockfighting. They have - ' no idea of putting energy into any oi their pursuits, and have no commer-' commer-' cial instincts; they also care li-tle for money, loss or gain being to them apparently ap-parently a matter of indifference The British vice-consul at Iloilo """The United States forces have now successfully occupied the better part of ... nf the year, augurs well for a happier future, and, when ' once a peaceful rule is established, many important improvements will take place. , "The Island of Negros is In a more satisfactory state, and, although the crops for 1900 may not be very large owing to the difficulties which had M be overcome-in procuring labor, the planting for the 1900-1 crop is exten live." |