Ann Arbor In Manila

ANN ARBOR IN MANILA

Frank Perrine's Impressions of the Philippines.

MULES DISSAPPEARED

A Filipino Lad Robs Frank of $45—How Butchering is Inspected.

Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Perrine, of N. Main st. , have received two letters and a number of papers from their son Frank in Manila. The following extracts will be of interest. Sept. 26 he writes: "The gallant ship Ohio is scheduled to leave Manana, so I will endeavor to let you know that I am still surviving the oriental changes and pegging away as usual at the C. H. Laduana, as they call it here. The ink with which I started to write this letter is more like dirty water than anything else I know of, so I discarded it for some of Li Hung Chang's best, which will be the same in a few days. Ink seems to have a faculty for losing its color in this country.

"Tonight is something awful as to heat. Here I am, gaily bedecked in a pair of Chinese Pajamas of a doubtful hue, and the little rivulets of perspiration chasing each other gaily down my back, and to make things doubly comfortable the mosquitos are as thick as hair on a dog. You see my troubles are numerous for one so young.

"Our great and good friend Aguinaldo has promised to give up our American prisoners, but up to date we have seen nothing of them. Personally I am not losing any sleep over any of his promises, but headquarters seem to place a great deal of confidence in him and his oft-times vain promises, so possibly we may have the pleasure of seeing them yet."

On Oct. 7 he writes: "There is considerable fighting going on at present on both the north and south lines Aguinaldo released 14 American prisoners with a promise of liberty for the rest at an early date. Those who are released are looking fine, and speak well of their treatment while confined The others will probably be brought in as soon as they can be concentrate at some point near the American lines. At present they are scattered all about the island. The Spanish prisoners are also being mobilized preparatory to their early release. The Spaniard here in Manila have sent them out a lot of provisions by a commission of Señors. Uncle Samuel furnished a pack train of 80 mules to the commission to transport their provisions That was the last seen or heard of the commission, provisions or mules. I wonder if Aguinaldo decided he was in need of a few good, gentle, kind i hearted mules to facilitate the movement of his flying 'capitol.'  

"Well, I have a hard luck story to tell you this time. The 'muchacho' (native boy) we had cooking for us, gently touched me up for $45 several days ago. We paid him his month's salary the night before, and I left $60 in paper money in my trunk when I left in the morning and, what's worse, I left the key in the trunk lock. When I returned to lunch I noticed the key, and examined my 'wad' and, lo and behold, I found $15 remaining. I thanked the muchacho for the $15 he had left, and sent him to the 'mill' (jail) to think about lending me enough to cover the shortage. When he was searched at the station he had a little more money than the law allows to boys who work for $3.50 per month. He had $69.20."

The two papers, Freedom and the Manila Times, are both interesting in their way. To study their pages is very instructive, as they give a very good view of the change going on. What would the old regime have thought of this, taken from the Freedom: "Tyi Wa got a fine of $20 for using a false measure and attempting to bribe the inspector at the Santa Cruz court." How it must have astonished the old rascal to discover that it is not safe, unless he knew his man very well, to attempt to bribe an American. From the many police court items, it is evident that the natives are fast learning that evading he common rule of civilized life will be punished. In the Manila Times, which is really a modern newspaper, is an interesting account of Manila's neat supply and butchering. The reporter gives a good description of the butchering the cattle, etc, which is done in the night: "A visit was paid to the slaughter house. Fifty-three cattle had been killed and dressed as well as 128 hogs and four sheep. Three hogs were condemned and also 22 livers and 17 lungs. These were ordered by Dr. Santos to be cremated. A big parcel of dried buffalo meat, which is prohibited from being exposed for sale, was found in a market near the slaughter house. It was taken along, with the 'Chink' who had it for sale, to the slaughter house, where the 'Chink' was locked up. His case came up in Binondo court Thursday morning.

"Dr. Santos was very much in evidence. With his assistant he walked up and down through long lanes of slaughtered hogs, examining each one.

"Verily, Manila is having an excellent supervision of all meats to be used by her citizens."

The pages of the Times indicate the American spirit of enterprise by the many advertisements. The modern real estate agent is beginning to get in his work on the islands. A health resort is advertised. In looking over the names, many Americans appear. They are probably American soldiers who have gone into business. They probably are not in sympathy with the anti-imperialists.