The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-12

arA1TIE, TnURsDAY, MAY n.
THE PHlLuPPINE ISLANDS.
II II conceded by the European pow
ers that the United States has the right,
II she chooses TO exercise 1t. to retain
possession OF the Philippine islands. 1t
win be serious question when peace
i IL restored whether we should continue
TO enjoy the fruits of our conquest or
whether other considerations incident
to our general policy may not make II
desirable to return tho islands to Spain
in exchange Tor concessions more In line
with our traditions. The only advan-
tase possession wsald give US would be
. base of supplies in the far Pacific In
case OF another war: but outlying pos
sessions Of that character are usually
very expensive in time OF peace and
may become a source Of weakness
rather than OF strength In time OF war.
The area OF the Philippine islands.
which include large number. Is esti-
mated az 10000 square miles. and their
population a. is.o0o0oo. The island OF
Luzon. on which the city Of Manila IL
situated. Is larger than New York and
Massachusetts,, and has q population OF
5000, 200: and the island OF Mindanao
II nearly as large. An idea Of the ex-
tent OF the population of the Philippines
may be formed when It Is stated that
the six New England states and New
York. New Jersey. Maryland and Della
ware have 10 per cent. less area and
population
sentative at Manila. states that twenty
two consulates. representing the leading
commercial countries OF the world. are
established at Manila: but IL will sur
prise most Americans to learn that the
volume OF the export trade coming
under our consui's official supervision
equals that Of the other twenty-one con-
sulates combined The exports to this
country average 81, 900. 600 a month.
About 2ls.O00 baies OF hemp were ex-
ported during the first three months OF
the year OF which iss.7a2 went TO the
United States and 7S.0oo to Great Brit
ain and other countries. During last
year the increase OF shipments TO the
United States was 13s. 900 bales. while
the trade TO Great Britain decreased
e, geo bales. OF the increased shipments
from the Philippines. those 20 the
United States were "a per cent. greater
than to all other countries combined.
After hemp. the largest shipments are
OF sugar. cigars. tobacco. woods. hides,
shells. indigo and coffee. In the item
Of sugar the shipments 10 the United
States were IS per cent OF the total 10
all points.
Early I'm the year Manila suffered from
a most devastating fire. entailing loss
cf s.. 500. GOO: and the city would have
been totally destroyed had IL not been
fer the splendid service OF an American
fire engine imported from Seneca Falls.
~. Y.
The town Of Manila lis made up of low
buildings. as the people are In constant
dread OF earthquakes. one OF these
commissions killed zee people. and tina
last one. in 1882 wrecked most OF the
town. The Esessta. the main business
street Is lined with European stores and
baxaars: and the city has six daily
papers. three banks. "a mint. chamber
Of commerce AID complete electric light
and telephone plants, There are four
steamship lines to Hengkong ard
monthly line from Manila 20 Liverpool.
There Is one railroad with steel rails
stone cuiverts and English locomotives.
which make fosty-ave miles an hour
There are three seasons: From No
vember to March Il is cold. from March
t. June the heat becomes very cypress
Ave. and during July. August, September
and October the rain comes down In tor
rents.
The Philippines were discovered hy
Magellan on March 4, ISL. and the
following nsenth he lost his life on ;he
island Of Mactsn. or the coast os s,ehu
The islands have always belonged to
ssSin' although they were carsarea hS
: