The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-11-08

. dreadful state of affairs. Ever since
Magellan discovered the Islands in 1871,
the Spaniards have ruled with an iron
hand. Nongreat pains have been taken
to perfect civilization among the aborig-
mails. but the latter have learned enough
to appreciate the horrible injustices
which have been heaped upon them ana
to understand the value OF liberty.
The native ferocity has never been SUBJ
dued, however, and in the present war
they ask for no quarter and give none;
The native leaders say the struggle Will
onIv end with the determination of the
Spaniardl and Sthen a republic VIII pc
founded, onthe principles of the govern
ment of the United States.
The newspapers of Spain have been
forced by government restrictions 10
minimize the Importance OF the lnsurrec-
ton in the Philippines, fearing the eff
feet the honest news would have upon
the Cuban patriots, and. while all mall
matter from the islands has been SUD-
ject to 1.-THE strctest censorship, letters
Entrusted to officers of steamships nave
safely escaped investigation ana reacA-
ed the hands they were intended Tor
These show the true condition OF al
fairs in the islands, and while they give
but scant atten ton to detail, reveal all
the horrors Of the war.
INSURRECTIONISTS ON TOP.
The irHurrection has been in progress
but two months, yet the natives are
practically In. control of everything but
the city ct Manila, where the Spanish
army is strongly fortified. There are
1900 islands In the group, and the total
popula ton is estimated at 100000. but
the Spaniards have never conquered
more than 100000 of these. Five-sixths
of the total area of the islands has never
been explored by white men. When the
Spaniards first conquered portions OF
the islands most of the aboriginals fled
to the interior and have lived in saw
age wildness ever since. These aborigi-
nails are a negro race, and are fierce
fighters. They use poisoned arrows in
warfare, and are as skillful in handling
them as were the Indians of this country
generations ago.
The principal island in the Philippine
group Is Luzon, in which are the three
great cities of Manila, Cavite and Mala
bon. The population of Luzon is 100000
and the population Of Manila is 100000,
of whom $4,000 are soldiers differed by
Spaniards. In the central part of the
city is great fortress called Old Manila
in which the soldiers and Spanish Off :
cials, both military and legislative, live.
This fortress is mainly armed with old
smooth bore cannon, but within the past
year number of rapid fire guns ami
two great 15-inch rifles have been add
ed to the equipment.
Prior to the invasion of Spain great
hordes ofMalays had descended upon the
aboriginals, and in time had intermar-
ried with them. Then numbers of Chi
nese entered the islands and inter-mar-
ried with the children Of the Malays and
aboriginals. Within the last century
pthere has been much marriage between
Spainards and the women Of the island
of Malay, Monaghan and aboriginal
ancestry The product of this mixture
of races is now the controlling power Of
the islands, and furnishes the leaders ir
the revolt to break loose from the Span.
ish yoke. When the Spanish first tool
possession of the Islands they called thu
half breeds-the children Of the Malay
Chinese and aboriginal parentage-
Mestizoes. The Mestizoes, by the intro
duction of Spanish blood, have develop
ed into a hardy, industrious people
many of them persons of considerable
wealth and the heads of commercial
firms, which export the countless nat
ural riches Of the islands to all quarter
Of the world, ,,,
The Mesuaoes have made Manila tn
great citWdt is today. 1t is lighted b.
electricity the business streets teen
with vehicles and horse cars, railroad
run out from the city to Cavite and Nal
a bon, and many of the houses and larg
buildings are constructed of stone an
iron.
SPANISH INJUSTICEaTHE CAUSE
AS to the cause of the war, it is tn
same which drove the Cubans to revolt
UntustifiabIe taxation. blackmail an
Gals are the chief causes. The Mestizoe
have no say in the legislative oh.
Of the government. The poll FORCE
and mI|tI ass q! MADE sSay. up =. rs s51ys
- $500 r.