The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-07-08

when the name Filipinas first appear
ed. Manila was founded in 1871. 1t
lies on one side OF a bay of the same
name. which is a magnificent sheet of
water, being about 100 miles in cir
conference, having a leng, h Of not far
from 80 miles and breadth Of q, and
Is well protected. excepting from the
southwest gales which sometimes
sweep up the bay with enormous vio-
lence and destructive force. At such
times the shipping in the harbor seeks
refuge behind the headland Of Cavite.
During such storm in 1875, the sea
overwhelmed good portion OF the
city Of Manila, destroying about 1000
houses and drowning over $50 per-
sons. Another such storm in 1890
overwhelmed and ruined the sea-wall
protecting the inner harbor. The city
Is built upon both sides Of the river
Pasig, which connects the bay with an
extensive fresh water lagoon in the
rear. The water of the river Is deep,
affording harbor room for considerable
shipping. For short time in 1862
the city was held by the English. who
| demanded ransom Of $5,000,0 OO, but
they withdrew in 176i. For many
years the islands were used by the
| Spanish as point whence piratical
| descent might be made upon the neigh
boring English and Dutch colonies.
1t may be said that the Spanish occu-
patton during its four centuries OF
possession has been only partial and
indefinite. Many portions OF the in
terror have never been occupied. nor
have the savage tribes been subjugat-
ed, and the story of Spanish occupa-
ton Is one Of cruelty, avarice and
barbarity, similar in much to the
story Of Mexico. the West Indies,
South America and other places Of
Spanish domain. The history OF the
Philippines, or of the Spanish control,
might be comprised in very few
words, and they would be relentless
fanaticism, extortion, cruelty, misap-
prehension.
The form of the Spanish Govern
ment may be called military. presided
over by a governor or captain general,
who controls a number OF provinces
into which the country is divided. The
public officers are Spaniards and non
residents. Their chief object Is to
extort revenue. To accomplish this
the most ingenious and oppressive
measures are adopted. consisting of
taxation, including poll taxes Of more
than Sc a head, license fees, imposts,
and other devices which are applied
and levied with relentless disregard
of every interest except that of the
taxing officers. A failure to pay taxes
generally resulted in confiscaton. In
addition to taxes which are required
to be paid in money, the "corvee" has
also been applied to all natives, requir-
ing forty days Of forced labor In each
year. Frequently so-called income tax
was assessed, oftentimes upon persons
who had no income whatsoever, while
wealthy Spaniards and some who are
able to make 1t worth the while of the
tax officers escape altogether.
Probably no one knew better than
the Government in Spain that large
proportion OF the income OF the coun-
try was stolen by Spanish officers to
whom was intrusted the interests OF
the Spanish nation.
The effect OF such government and
OF such a financial system has OF
course prevented the development Of
the country's resources. With its
teeming population, fertile soil and ma
tural resources, the Philippines might
easily raise all the sugar required
by the world. 1t could increase Its
production of tobacco many hundred
fold. and they already export annual
ly 150,000,O00 cigars. Its resources IL
fibres, india rubber, various medicina
roots and herbs, dye woods, spices
and other tropical productions are mo-
only hardly known but are probabl!
! inexhaustible. The islands are also
noted for the variety and fine qualit!
of their fruits, among which are thu
orange, mango, mangosteen, pine
apple, guava, bananas and lines. From
the Manila banana comes the so-calle(
Manila hemp, which is the most valu
able rope making material in use, ant
in spite of the utter imbecility ant
: repressive tendency OF the Spanish
system, or lack Of system, nearly fort.
: thousand tons OF the value OF $500,
900 was exported last year.
Situated but a short distance nortl
OF the equator, the climate Of tn
Philippines Is warm; but the countr,
> is not regarded as unhealthy. Froa
November until February the climat
of Manila is endurable. The night
are frequently quite cool, although
! the thermometer seldom, II ever, fall
below 20 degrees. From that time un
! til the following November the hea
Is oppressive. The hottest months ar
generally April and May, when Their
: Is but little rain. From June on tn
rain is heavy and in the latter par
: of the year the country is visited b,
storms Of great severity, sometime
accompanied with terrific thunde
> storms. At Manila the rainfall run
from Is to 80 inches year. Durin
the heated term, business Is very large
! ly suspended from 8 o'clock until II
I the afternoon. In the evenings tn
streets are brilliantly lighted in tn
! cities, and throngcd with a varied pc
l pulation.
5 The history of the Spanish Govern
: ment Of the Philippines might also b
l called a chapter in the story OF tn
D Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, 81
e John Bowring said missionaries O
i the Catholic Church were the rea
conquerors OF the Philippines an
!, they dominate the country. A gov
i eminent officer in assuming contro