The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-22

that her country was large enough. with
her great expanse OF territory reaching
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific. We have
fast that we had all that We could ably
govern. With the Philippines Islands be-
longing TO us this may change; aud we
NAV in time have Colonial System
equal 10 that Of Great Britain.
The new islands which are ours through
the grand EFFORT Of Admiral Dewey are
about 400 In number many Of them beina
so small that they are useless except for
fine dwelling purposes. The larger ones
are I.uzon, Mlndanac, Palawan and Min
doro. They cover an area Of 5000 square
miles The surface Of the Philippine Is
lands IS mountainous and highly pictur-
esoue. Beautiful hills rise from fertile
valleys and even lovely fertile California
cannot equal It IN beauty and richness OF
soil.
Everything grows in the Philippines:
Vanilla beans. sugar. tobacco, coffee
rice. spices, indigo and all the cereals
grow there Ike weeds. Our own native
soil IS no more prolific Of potatoes than
are the Philippines Of these deiicacies.
Tho choicest fruits, cocoanuts. pome-
granates. oranges. bananas. and grapes
are there. and so varied Is the climate,
rising from the lowlands TO the noun
tain tops. that every product Of the soil
can be cultivated.
The principal city OF the Philippines
IS the capital. Manila, which was chosen
as the residence Of the Spanish Governor
General who lived on the islands and
ruled with rod OF iron. The Governor
General ruled a population OF 6.OO0 pco-
pie, and took in a revenue 50 great that
IL reads like a fairy tale 70 us
Manila is n city OF great commercial
Importance and many fine buildings.
II carries on an immense trade between
California on ono side and Hong Kong
on tho other. The merchants from both
places meet here 20 exchange their goods.
II has n population equal 10 that OF san
Francisco. and Is supplied with many
beautiful buildings Many OF these are
tho trade centers, where the goods OF
the United States are received and ship
ped 10 European countries. In other great
buildings all the productions OF the
Orient are stored and are purchased by
travelling statesmen from North and South
America.
One OF the prettiest buildings IN Manila
IS the United States consulate. which IL IL
low. long building constructed on ORR
entail lines It has a tall iron fence in
front with large stone posts supporting
1T anu III llt DdNhaloAilu otdlub tine fNll-
sulato.
Although the Philippine Islands arc
Pagan as far as the natives are con-
cerned, there is an immense population
which IS Catholic. There Is n beautiful
cathedral IN Manila where the Spanish
population attend church.
Most of the servants are natives who
make the very best Of serving people.
and for these there are small PAGAN
churches where they 80 and worship their
idols
There are a great many missionaries
in the Philippine Islands. many OF
whom are sent by the United States.
The government buildings I'm Manila
are built upon the most improved MOI
ern plans. Madrid architects were sent
10 Manila 10 construct these buildings
and the effect OF these modern construc-
lions surrounded by lovely groves is
highly beautiful
The Manila canal IS in the heart OF
the old part Of the town and runs under
bridges OF modern construction. II IS
used now principally for shipping Amcri-
can and Chinese wares.
The finest buildings in Manila are two
splendid palaces, one occupied by the
Govcrnor-General and one by Senior Au-
gusu. admiral Monteio lived IN luxury
there and the other admirals of the
Spanish fleet had handsome houses which
they could occupy when ashore. All these
were taken by the American commodore