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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1906)
THE MORNING ASTORIAN. ASTORIA. OREGON. SUNDAY, maUAIT H, tanj. THE TOWN'S .GO B First Session For February Is An Interesting One. OOOD SPEAKER UVE TOPIC Xed Mea'a Hall Comfortably Filled With Ladire and GuestaRe. W. S. Gilbert Occnpied Rostrum With Lec ture ea Philippine Bulneaa Meeting Th Astoria Woman' Club held it first meeting for February, yesterday afternoon, at the Red Men hall on Exchange atreet, and tlie cosy lit tle auditorium wa fillcil with host of handsomely gowned and d.-eply inter ested members. The affair of the elub are under the capable direction of Vice-President, Mr. F. D. Kuettner, and the program and business of yesterday" assemblage, vera dispatched with precision and celerity, under1 her guidance. Rer. W. S. C.illrt, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, was the speaker of the day, and he chose for hi them "Present Conditions in the rhil lippin Islands". ubjeet, no one in Oregon it better equipped to expound that the popular chaplain of the famous Seeond Oregon regiment. The Astorian i pleased to present the major portion of Mr. Gilbert address, and regret it cannot gv the entire message, in cluding the abundant interpolation of personal experience, humorous, sad, satirical, and explanatory. He saiJ, in part. When Admiral Dewey unk the Ppan ins fleet in Manila Bay, May 1, 18. many of our people had scarcely heard of the Philippine Island. When our transport left Honolulu en route to Manila, Capt Gla of the Charleston signaled that in hi sealed order we were ordered to tuptunre Guam. No one had ever heard of the place except I THE MIGHTY SALE STILL GOING ON IN ORDER TO MAKE ROOM FOR OUR NEW SPRING AND SUM MER GOODS WHICH ARE ARRIVING DAILY WE WILL GIVE A FEW MORE DAYS IN WHICH TO PURCHASE BARGAINS. CHILDREN'S COATS WE RE CLOSING OUT AT AN EXCEP TIONALLY LOW PRICE 2 Per Cent Discount on Ail Children's Dresses 65c AND 85c FANCY FRENCH FLANNEL WAISTINGS WHILE THEY LAST AT 49C THE YARD. WE HAVE ON DISPLAY SOME b$ AND I30 SUITS WHICH WE ARE OFFERING FOR lia.95. One-third off on all Ladies' Wool Waists WE HAVE PLACED ON S.LE A FEW WINTER SKIRTS WHICH WE WILL CLOSE OUT AT HALF PRICE. Note the Wiindow Display of New Spring Mohairs. THE FOARD 8 STOKES CO. ASTORIA'S GREATEST STORE, Where the New things Make Their tkbut. our old ship navigator who had tppd there many year before. Stow tha beginning of the Spanish war we have- learned much concerning ts rhilimnn Mnds bul to eonvuiw I ourselves that we are poorly iiifornH-l a to preseut condition there we ned ! only ask a few question or" endeavor I to annwer some, A man came to m ! two months ago end naked me to tell I what the form of municipal goverumeni of Manila is. Poe the city av a mayor, council, etc I had to confess that 1 did not know. He eased my mind little when he said he had just been to Jlarwy Scott and he couldnl tell, and also to several others I de termined to And out and went to a man in our city who had been there three year as public official in Manila, d he answs-red, "They have had some kind of an eK-tion over there, but I'll I plagued if I know just whit they elected." Last week I asked one of our physi cian, "Who the governor of the. Philippine Wand ainee Taft ha be come Secretary of War!" The prompt answer was "F.lihu Root." Last week I aked an audience of two hundred men if any one of them 'could tell any event that had taken place in the Philip pine Islands lat year", and no one said a word. So that I am ure we all need to keep a little ke.ner interest in those islands that have come under our care, and while I have vowed never again to tell my war story, or rehear or rehash the events of still 1 am gUd for the opport unity of present ing some of the remarkable fact of the present conditions. The annual report of the Philippine Commission is the latest available au t hen tie information concerning the islands Last year wa a remarkable year in the Philippine Islands and present conditions give us much to think about. I was amazed to find that there had been a famine there all last year. Our newspapers seem never to have men tioned it or only casually as a matter of mall importance. At any rate, I have not been able to find any one who had heard of it (since writing, I did find one man who faintly remembered that the Oregonian mention d it). The rice crop was an absolute failure on account of drought and pet of locusts, and the death, by Rinderpest, of ninety-five per cent of the carillon upon which the people depend utterly for cultivation of lands The Philippine Commission had to come to the relief of the people. When tha rice crop failed, American mer chant, true to the America way, or ganited a syndicate and cornered nil available rk-e and begsn to rob the people sy.teutaticwly. They cornered absolutely all the Chin product nd even also the sugar market. The Phil ippine Commission wa compelled to go to Calcutta, almost 4HH) mile from Manila, to get rice; they imported $UV 000.000 worth of rice tu fe.d the starv ing people. This wa sold to the native and on account of the poor quality of the Calcutta rice, and ita destruction by weave), the Commission ot S4S,000 oaj the transaction. Rut the corner was broken. Instead of giving the rkv to the people, th Commission gave so much rice to any nun, woman or child for every bnshel of raptured locusts. 111,450 wa invested in galvanised h.et iron, which was set up fences, con verging to narrow opening through which the native would drive the locust into trenches beyond; 11000 was spent for locust nets la almost all the province the locusts were so num erous a to utterly destroy every grow, ing thing. To supply caribou to the native the Commission made a contiwet with a Chinese firm for 10,000 caribou from China; and the Chinese government, discovering so many of these useful snimals were being deported, limited the contract to 1000. The price of a caribou in Mhuila is now 73 in gold. Another thing, our paper have not informed us upon, is the epidemic of choi rs. Last year 100,000 people died from this plague. On the i2nd of hist December the Friar lands, consisting of 10.000 acres, mostly rich,' cultivated lands, were bought by the government for 7,23!.- 000, so that by this event of last year. we may ace the day coming soon wnen the land of the islands shall I owned by the people. The great curse upon the Filipino bus been the system of hind ownership and manifold taxation by the rhurch; tx was collected for everything; to kill bog was taxed; to marry, to be born, to die; so that the people were hopelessly poverty strick en, in ISM there were 1013 Friar priset; today only 2-10. Xot one Spanish Friar bishop remains. Ameri can bishops are Wing sent, and the Koman Catholic church there will be American and not Spanish in character. There are from "000 to 15,000 lepers in the Philippine Islands. Ity this r-pnrt of la-t year much has Is-en done to I gather the-. leper into hospitals and reservations. While America ha blessed the Philip- rne Islands in many ways, It still is rail for our humiliation that we have cursed the islands with drunkenness. When Msnila was capturd by the American fori Augti-t 13, 1WH. A steamer load of American beer was an chored in the h.nbor, and the nett day was brought into port. This wa the beginning of a spectacle of which thi nation ought to lie ashamed. In the Manilit paper Ciule Sam ar.d the American people, Instead of being characterized, as we see them in our I papers, were always cartooned a I hog dressed in stars and stripe-; drunk enness was pructicully unknown in the Philippine Islands before our occupa tion. I quote from page 37, of the r-port: "One of tlie grejt obstacle that this government ha to contend with, is the presence in the large majority of the town of the an hip bigo of dissolute, drunken, and lawless Americans, who are willing to associate with low Fili pino women, and live upon the pioeeeds of their lalmr; they aie truculent and di-lion -st; they borrow, beg and steal from the native; th. ir conduct and mole of life are not calculated to imprest the native with the advantage of A mer lin n civilization." Quoting from pg. 3(1 of the report: "The smoking of opium is spreading among the native Filipinos, Under the Spanish regime, Filipinos were under pnnalty of fine or imprisonment for smoking opium. I'nder the tariff act now in force the taritf on opium wa somewhat reduced. The H'sult is that except for the turilT there is no restric tion at all on the sale of opium at present." A ecial romittce on opium we ap pointed last year which will rcort in this present month. Anotlier chapter of which we cannot lie v.-ry pnniid is presented on page M of the rejKirt: 'American responsible for the government of these, islands have suffered a most humiliating exper ience during the pat year in the num erous defalcations of Aeriai-n charged with the official duty of collecting and disbursing money." Out of 1104 em ploye of the goiertiment .there were twenty defaulter convicted last year, almost 2 per cent. A sentence, on page 40, arrest my attention, a it recalls such a different condition Ave year go: There 1 the utmost religioua freedom enjoyed in these islands; and no one, whether Roman Catholic, Filipino Catholic, or Protestant, la disturbed In worshiping Cod as he chooses" When we entered ManiU, though there were 5000 English resident there. If any of them wished to be married, they had to go to Kong Kong to be married $ no Protestant clergyman was allowed ill Msnila. 1 have the honor to lie the first Protes tant clergyan ever allowed there such, I once heard missionary who had entered tha Island but he bad to agree to certain restraints. He gave up bis ropy of th Uible and agieed not to preach while In the island. I took the first box of- lllble Into Manila. Ian Maclead, an Knglish resident, had en deavored to bring Plbles Into Manila, but they were confiscated In the cus tom house. To be ure, each Knglish man could have his own flible. Ijist year an average of 5000 bibles month month in native tongue'wer bought by the people. Last year th change of fh eurrenry In the island from a silver to gold basis wa pushed much a possible. This has been no easy task, and it will not be wholly completed for some time. All the coin have to be collected and exchanged and reeoiued. Considering the changeable valuea anu the grted of speculators th establishing of a stable currency will be slow. No doubt w hav all often wondered whether the Island will ever pay hack tlie great amount of money they have cost, or whether they will lwaya tie burden. The balance, of trade against the Wand in 1W, wa WiU.lttt; last year the balance of trade in favor of the island wa 1149,808, n Increas for the year of tlO.OS4.141. Notwithstand ing the famine and th importation of fltMSsl.OiiO worth of rice, and many other heavy expenditure a for Cholera ivlief, f300,lIO; census, iW4, 000; St. Loui Exposition, 1573.000; and 2..W,000 for extensive port work. K.xport last year were a follow! Hemp t2l,700,om) Copm 4,ki,oio Sugar S,UOO,000 Tobacco 1.800.000 Misscellaneou ,. 1 ,000,001) Total 133.000,000 Import from the I'nited State for last vear, not Including the I'nited State government import for the army, etc., wej $l7,8o:.rJ00- The rejsirt ays on page 4: The condition with respect to sugar nd tobacco continue to be very unfavor able and tlie aiyum.nt iu favor of a reduction of the Dingley tariff upon ooooocxcoooC)OOOOOOoooc; T5he L, BEEteiaiHIVE SPECIAL SHOWING New embroi. dcries and shirt waists. New white shirt Waists. New ging hams, percales and domestic wash goods. J$ t3he beeLmve ocooooooooooooooooooooo DO YOU WEAR IF YOU D0NT YOU CAN BEGIN VISY CHEAP AND IF YOU DO YOU CAN "GET THE PAIR YOU MEED," This Week is V - Pants Week AT 0US STORE EVERY PAIR OF TROUSERS I!t THE STORE 19 SEDUCED IN PRICE. Fine Values for $2.70, 3.15, 3.60 . SEE OUR WINDOW p. a. mm, "WHERE THEY COMBINE PRICE WITH QUALITY." thee article to 23 per cent of the rste of thitt "lilt on sugsr and to b.iv from fie Philippine glow stioiig er instead of weaker" When the the;,.t regiment left the islsuds ther ei 7,"00 aohllers sta tioned iu Outl posts Now the iv are ."..ini stationed In loo post. A ten tenc on page 40, 1 significant i "The number of American that tlx Arm-rk-an merchant or any merchant can count upon in these Island fur business de mand is never likely to exceed . two." The Oregon regiment left one of li t number In Manila the llrst suprrin tendmit of public hitru turn. Ijt year 10 per- rent of the population of the islands of school age, or 150,11, were in school. Ust October 100 Filipino hoys Were brought to the schools of Southern California for th purpose of education In this country. This number will be increaed year by yer. Th Commis sion urgently recommends a 3,Aoo,OM) appropriation for school hmi-e and teai-h-r. Tlie crying demand there to day I for education. Last year the cenu of the islands wa gathered. Th pipers are now in Washington being compiled. This cen sus will be published next October. "In twi yiwiw a'ir tills census is published, there will lie a general elec tion in the Islands for th purms of sending representative to meet in coordinate branch of a legislstui to be composed of the Commission and the legislative assembly." This coniTssion on the part of the Congress of tlie Vnit.-d Nl.-ite Is remarkable step. It mar never bad to self government for it is ipiite reituiii. (if we in ii judge from Culm I that when the time may came th.it the Filipinos limy he able to govern themselves they will want to be part of the 1'nited Stnles. While present condition In th islunds ie not in rery reect wlmt we miiiht wish ther were still in the four constructive years past gre.it ini-prov.-mdits have been in.idc and the rv peiimices o' the four year give every assurance of an eter brighter future for the people who for so long hud sat in dark n s. A woman worrir until she get wrinkle, then worries because she ha Ihem. If lb take Holliater' Rocky Mountain Tea sh would hav neither. Ilright, smiling face follow It use. 35 rents, Tea or Tablet. Sold by Frank Hart. On Sunday, December 17th, th Den ver t Rio Grand railroad will Inaugur ate a daily lin of itandard and tour ist ileeplng ear between Deaivar and Lo Angele in connection with Ui nw Clark road. Doth car will Irav Den ver dally t 9:30 a. m., and arrtr at Salt Lak City at 1:38 p. mH th next day. At thl point tha ear will b held over until midnight, thu allow ing through passenger th privileg of a atop-over of tea hour and a half in Salt Lak City. Eaatbound, the ear will leer Lo Angele at 8 p. and arriea t Salt Lak City at 9:30 a. m., seoond morning where they will remain orar until 1:50 p. m, thcuea to Dentr where they will rriv at 4:20 th fal lowing afternoon. Thla bop over at 8a.lt Lak City of th regular II n of ileeplng ear promise to b an at tractive feature for trtvnaoontinental traveler. Scrub yourself daily, you're not clean iniida. Thl mean clean stomach bowel, blood, liver, clean healthy tl mi in every organ. MORALi Tak Hollliter'a Rocky Mountain Tea. 5 cent, Tea of Tablet. Bold by Fran! Hart. - ' " THE PANTS? J If You Want Some thing Nice try ea of our Pari brand of corn. Tender, creamy and excellent flavor much lik fresh. Pile IS cent per cn. Fancy asparagus, 30 cent per ran; fancy ran-d pea, 13 and SO cent per can, Duy your canned fruit and vegetable from us, and you are itir lo get th b-.t. ST0RIAGR0CERY Phone Main m 523 Commercial SI, TO THE PUBLIC A long felt want h at last been up plied. Th Astoria Commission and Auction Co., 305 Commercial street will open for busiins Monday, February Vi, We will buy and sell anything at pri vate sal or auction. Will carry a full liu nf furniture. cniet and general merchandise at prn-es never heard of before In Astoria. A esll will convince. Parties wishing to dispose of their furniture stove or privt effect at private sale or amtlou will do well by teeing ii. On Monday Next, Feb. 12 Commeiiilmf al in a. m, w will sell st AUCTION to the highest bidder Without fe-cne, (until ma vim Itrdi.umi suits, chair, parlor sets, couches, writing desk also singl beds, mattresses, springs, carpets, run, drap-ries Iwdding. A consign ment of men' shoes, aat!om-ry, toilet cases and other articles to numerous to mention. Privatn parties and d'whr will find It to their advantag by at- V tending our Auction Hales, COMK and you can git get what 'oil wsnt at vour own price. Ii KM KM II Kit the dut and pls.-e-Fr-hriiary 12, 10 a, m. Private Hales conducted during lis wes-k. ASTORIA AUCTION k COMMISSION COMrANY, 365 Commercial Street, Aitorla, Or. Bannet A Watton, Managers. Mat Strihl, Auctioneer. "THE MILWAUKEE Tloneer Limited," St. Paul to Chi cago; "Overland LI mi led," Omaha to Chic go j "Southwest Limited,'' Kana City to Chicago, Xo train in th tervlr of any rail road in tha world equal in equipment that of th Chicago, Milwaukee k St. Paul Ry. They own and operal their own sleeping and dining ear and give their patron an irelleiic of (ervic . not obtainaml U where. TImII.. 1. ,1.-1. -1 . t,. n nn-ir icpjnri art longrr, . I.lntiai. mnA a l.l.a tk.. In .I...II.P .rs on any other lin. They protect their train by th Block System. II. 8. Howe, General Agent, 134 Third ttreet, Portland, Orv. Luckiest Mas la Arkanaa. "I'm the luckiest man In . Arkans," write II. I Stanley, of Ilruno, "inc th rettoratinn of my wife' health after five year of continuou roughing and bleeding from the lung; nd I ow my good fortune to th world' greatest medicine, Dr, King New Dleovry for Consumption, which I know from ex perience will cure consumption if taken in time. My wif improved with first hottl and twelv bottle completed tha ture." Cure th worst cough and i-okl or money refunded. At Ch. I lingers, druggist. 50c and 11.00, Trial 'BoWe-free.'