Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-05-12
MANILA, THE CAPITAL
OF The PHILIPPINES
An Historical and Descriptive Sketch.
BY FREDERICK E. FOSTER OF ST. Par1

OF travellers. whose ambition IL is in these
DAYS OF rapid transit TO traverse the wide
Wide world in a few brief months of
scramble, does not include Manila in the
circle IL traces for itself on the map; and
thus II u.s. ia perla del oceano,' and the
always faithful city OF Legaspi,' are
scarcely known TO the general reader. al
hough discovered and colonized more
h three centuries ago.
Within fifty years a large and impor-
tant has been developed be-
tween Europe and America and the Phil
lppines, and TO this intercourse Manila.
In recent times, chiefly owes its celebrity.
And' yet, in history, Manila figured for
centuries as the bone Of contention be-
tween Spain, Portugal and the Neither
lands; while England a hundred years
since conquered the city and released II
Tor a ransom-a bond not yet discharged
by the Spanish crown. No less an ad-
v~enturer than the famous Magellan
reached the shores during his quest for
the fabulous Spice island, and Spain sub
sequent 10 their discovery devoted many
lives and much treasure in accomplishing
the addition OF the islands to her al
ready vast foreign possessions.
Early IN the sixteenth century the Por-
tuguese navigator fernando de Magal-
lanes conceived the magnificent idea that
II was possible to pass round the south
ern extremity of the American continent,
and by this new route reach the much
coveted Spice islands. He reveaed this
vast and daring project to the king OF
Portugal, without meeting and encour-
agement from his sovereign; and pos
sessing no means of his own. and being
TlnGIfnnAEGfFRl - hsg nFTnrtE 70 .,tr .H-
aid of others, Magellan retired from Lis
bon and passed over into Spain. Accom-
panied by the cosmcGrapher Ruiz de
Talero. he presented himself at the court
of Carlos ", who willingly listened TO the
brilliant schemes of conquest unfolded by
the enthusiastic navigator. Don Carlos
unhesttafingly accepted the propositions
OF Magellan, and gave Instructions for the
immediate outfit OF an expedition TO be
placed at his command. The king in
vested him with the military order Of
Santiago; named him governor of all the
new lands he should discover. and agreed
10 accord to him a portion of the profits
which might result from the treasure and
spices of Magellan so confidently expected
to secure. Six small vessels. manned
by go men, sailed from Sanlucar de Bar
remeda o. the 10th of August, 1919, on
this grand voyage of discovery. On the
&tIn OF November Oh the IOllON lHS .NtdI.
after having overcome extraordinary OBJ
~stacles. the feet emerged into the Pacific
ocean through the straits which have i'm
mortalfzed the name of the disCoverer-
Although the small feet under Magellan's
command had by this tim been reduced
TO three vessels. their crews decimated
by suffering and disease. he still ploughed
onward through the unknown waste Of
waters with the chivalrous courage char
acteristic OF the navigators of that CEN
tury. On the 10th of March. 1921. he dis
covered the Marianas. or Ladrone is
lands. and a few days later sighted Cape
San Augustin. on the southern coast Of
MIndanao. Coasting along this Island.
he effected a landing with his men and
took possession of the new lands in the
name of the king of Spain. From thence
he passed TO the Island OF Cebu. the ra-
jah Of which yielded ready allegiance 10
the Spaniards. and Magellan, in com2li-
ance to his solicitations and in reward for
his hospitable treatment. consented 10
aid him in a raid upon the people OF the
n%eighborinr island of Mactan. In this at
tack. Magellan lost his life on the 2sth
Of April. 1921. Under Juan Carballo the
little fleet continued its course towards
Borneo. and AT length made harbor in
Tidore, one of the MarianaE. Prepara
tons were here made 10 put the fleet into
a seaworthy condition for return 10 Spain;
but only one of the six vessels was found
sufficiently servieeable TO undertake the
VOYAGE. Loading her with sandalwood
ginger. cinnamon and gold-as much as
they could with safety carry over ard
above the provisions for the ~yoyage-the
few survivors set out early in lo22 TO re-
gain their native land. Juan Sebastian
Elcano was in command. On the ith OF
September of 1872. three years after their
departure. there landed at Sanlucar DE
Barremeda only eighteen men OF the 81
who had sailed under Magellan. Elcano
was the first 10 accomplish the cireum-
navigation of the world: and in honorable
recognition of his services, the King
granted him the armorial bearings OF a
globe with the motto chic primus circum-
dedit me-
The city of Manila was founded by lie
yaspi in 1911. and in 1890 a substantial
wall was built about 1t for the protection
Of its inhabitants from the depradatlons
of the natives and the incursions OF TOT
eipn foes. The entrance to the bay OF the
same name is divided into two passages
nv the small island of C~orregidor upon
which a lighthouse is maintained. Inc
southern channel. or "boca chica, Is the
narrower Of the two, but either passage
&c NJ sufficient depth to admit the largest
ships. These passages nave IN feceHt
wears been fortified. Approaching from
the eastward the lofty peak oil hariVeies
forms a conspicuous object, ana Wheh
we'll within the bay the volcano Ma!as-
law and Mount Aryat are deserted further
;niand Th anchorage is distant from
the low shores some three miles and iTop
Correpidor about two and twenty. Inc
c,tv II built upon the banks OF the river
pasjp and Immediately at It's mouth.
Viewed from the bay a very INADEQUATE
,daa can be formed of the extent OF Ma
Mia Its sight is but slightly elevator
shove the sea level. and the SIDE lroh'ins
,na Goa is enclosed by a high wall, me
49,, hy a narrow strip of land. A Few
adisces tower above the general lever or
~oofs. hut the dome OF the cathedral, the
.onare tower OF the church OF san Au-
g,stin with here and there the Drodu
walls of a convent, afford unmistahaois
evidences of spacious su~frounolnes.
few trees peering above the ioi.n.
tions relieve the monotony OF .he olow'
s,aIIs and the dull red OF the tiled roois,
W.. ,nust he confessed that the general
asnec, ~ fhe city is not prepossessins.
S,ratchine into the bay are two low
mo,es which protect the mouth OF the
r,,,ar from, denominations OF s.t, ana
,,,tnin them an anchorage Is secured 10y
,,assaIs and steamers Of light draft. As
cerdinp the river. an impression - 10.
~ erst time obtained of the hustle anu
nnnrtance of the port. Along eitneI
nrs ,s moored a miscellaneous fleet OF
Live craft. interspersed with vessels OF
sarasor build. and further up. sman pau
aIa-ubeel steamers and large seasoHiS
nrnne,lors indicate indubitably that On
,araa has extended its ctvilizinR nnu-
ences even 10 this remo,e poItlo'i sron,
~ 49, =. 80 AAt III