insuperable. It was expected that there would, from time to time, be isolated cases of defection, but it was believed that judicious selection and discipline could create a native force both reliable and effective. "The history of the Filipino soldier," says the Commission, "when serving under the Spanish flag, supports this view. For many years prior to the outbreak of 1896 the Spaniards had less than 5,000 Peninsular troops in the islands. All the rest were natives. The latter, as a rule, remained loyal to Spain until it was manifest that her sovereignty was ended. This was the case although the masses from which these native soldiers were drawn were cruelly oppressed by the Spaniards, and they themselves were poorly fed and paid inadequately and rarely. Besides, the Spanish officers, as a rule, would compare very unfavorably with the American in personnel and equipment, and presumably were unable to impress themselves upon the native so as to secure his respect and affection, as would our officers.

"The experience of England in dealing with conditions practically the same as those which we are called on to meet, as she has frequently done, and her success, furnishes a precedent for our guidance which should not be overlooked. Though she has had here and there unfortunate experiences, as a general rule she has been served faithfully by her native soldiers, even against their own brethren. The fact is, every soldier has a natural feeling of loyalty for the flag under which he serves. Respect for his officers and obedience to their orders become to him a habit of life. When decently treated, he becomes sincerely attached to them and cheerfully obeys their orders. It is our deliberate judgment

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COLLEGE MEN NEEDED

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that not only is the organization of native regiments here not premature, but it might safely have been begun at least a year ago."

One difficulty with which the Government has had to contend has been its inability to secure a sufficient number of trustworthy officers to fill responsible positions in the Constabulary. Several defalcations have occurred, and a number of men have been dismissed for other offenses. General Allen has recently sent letters to college presidents and superintendents of academies in America asking them to open recruiting stations for the commissioned strength of the Philippine Constabulary, which it is hoped to fill up with young collegians to a large extent. The letters are accompanied by circulars showing the nature of the service, the scheme of promotion and the pay of the different grades. "From fifteen to twenty-five young men," he says, "will be appointed yearly, and the Constabulary offers a good career for young men of energy and initiative who have special aptitude for dealing with natives and for military work." General Allen desires to reach young men who have been graduated from college in the last five or six years, "without conditions, and whose habits, antecedents and stability of character and judgment are such as you or other responsible members of your faculty could recommend as being men who will, so far as can be told, grow and develop into men of strong character and integrity."

CHAPTER XIX

CONTAGION AT CLOSE RANGE

A Morning in San Lazaro Hospital-Safeguarding
Young Americans-The First Suggestion of Leprosy
-A "Fine" Case of Smallpox-From the Cholera
Hospital to the Plague Ward-Infant Mortality.

"WOULD you like to visit the San Lazaro Hos

pital?" said Dr. Marshall, the chief inspector

of the Health Department of Manila.

"I should like to visit any place in the Philippines that will give me an insight into the work of the American Government."

"Then I will call for you at nine o'clock to-morrow morning."

At the hour appointed, Dr. Marshall and the writer started for San Lazaro Hospital. Something like two hundred and fifty years ago, when Christianity first entered Japan, a shipload of Japanese lepers entered the harbor of Manila.

"You Christians seem very fond of those who are in trouble. Try your hand on these lepers"-so ran in effect a note accompanying the large company of unfortunate people. At first the authorities refused admission to the lepers and were about to send them back to Japan;