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


THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
II In conceded BY the European pow
err that the United states has the right,
II she chooses TO exercise II, TO retain
possession Of the Philippine islands. II
will be serious question when peace
a restored whether we should continue
70 enjoy the fruits Of Our conquest or
whether other considerations incident
to our general policy may not make II
desirable TO return the islands to Spain
In exchange for concessions more In line
with cur traditions The only advan-
tage possession would give us would be
Q 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 a large number. Is esti-
mated at l5o. 900 square miles. and their
population at is.eeo.oeo. The island OF
Iuxon, on which the city Of Manila is
situated. liz larger than New York and
Massachusetts,. and has a population OF
1000 900: ami the island of Mindanao
II nearly az large. An Idea OF the ex-
tent OF the population of the Philippines
may be formed when II is stated tina.
the six New England states and New
York. New Jersey. Maryland and Della
ware have 10 per cent less area and
population.
Consul Oscar +. Williams. our repre-
sentative at Manila. states that twenty
tive consuiates. representing the leading
commercial countries Of the world. are
established at Manila: but II win sur
prise most Americans to learn that the
volume OF the export trade coming
under our censurs official supervision
EQUALS that OF the other twenty-one con-
suiates combined. The exports To this
country average 100000 month.
About 2Is.ooo bales of hemp were ex-
ported during the first three months OF
the year. of which fss.Tse went to the
United states and as 900 te Great Brit
ain and other countries. During last
year the increase Of shipments To the
United States was 139. ooo bales. while
the trade 10 Great Britain decreased
q. 900 bales. OF the Increased shipments
from the Philippines. those TO the
United States were 5. per cent. greater
than % 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
NIL points.
Early in the year Manila suffered from
a most devastating fire. entaiiing loss
Of s.. 5os. 200. and the city would hava
been totally destroyed had IL not been
for the splendid service OF an American
fire engine imported from Seneca Falls,
N. Y.
The town of Manila Is made up of low
buildings. as the people are in constant
dread OF earthquakes. One of these
commissions killed 500 people, and The
last one. In 1850. wrecked most Of the
town The Escst;s. the main business
street. Is lined with European stores and
haxaars; and the city has six daily
papers. three banks, mint, chamber
OF commerce and complete electric light
and telephone plants. There are four
steamship lines 20 Hongkong and
monthly lire from Manila Ia Liverpool
There Is one railroad with steel rails.
stone cuiverts and English locomotives,
which make forty-flve miles an hour.
There are three seasons: From No
vernber to March Il Is cold. from March
to June the heat becomes very Cypress
I've. and during July, August. September
and October the rain comes down In tor
rents.
The Philippines were discovered by
Magellan on March Il. 1891. ard the
following month he lest his life on the
island Of Mactan. Oft the coast Of Cseu.
The .s.asds have always belonged q
Spaia. although they we're captured hy