The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1898-05-13

900 inhabitants. is by far the most
important Of all the islands of the
archipelago. Pnnay, with 4,742
square miles. has population of l.
600, 600, and Mindanao, with $4,000
square miles, has scarcely 100000
inhabitants. The total population of
the archipelago has been variouslv
estimated at from 100000 to o.,
100000.
The Philippine Archipelago was
discovered in 1921 by Magellan. who
died in the same year from wounds
received in a fight with the natives
of the island of Cebu,
The name of Philippines was given
to The islands by Vlllalobos, in honor
of King Philip ii, but Spain's domi-
nation over the islands was not firm
ly established until many years later,
when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was
sent there fiom Mexico with four
ships and Il numerous force.
In 1870 Legazpi conquered the
island Of Luzon and founded the city
of Manila, Which soon became the
Capital of The archipelago. The
Philippines have since renamed in
the hands of Spain. Manila, how
ever. was captured by an English
fleet in 1862, and retained for fifteen
months, when it was returned to
Spain.
The Ncgritos or papous, a savage
and repnlsive people, were probably
the aboriginal inhabitants of the
archipelago, but only Il few thousand
Of them remain, scattered in bands
over mountains and forests, where
they took refuge from ;he invading
Malay Indians, who now form the
bulk ofthc islands population. These
indians are divided into two tribes,
the Bi>ayans and the Tagals.
The Spanish residents Of the
islands number scarcely 5000, cx-
elusive of the army contingent, which
WAS considerably increased at the
time Of the recent rebellion in the
province of Cavite. There are also
Il n,unhcr Of "hiicSc and half-brcetls
The Tagals and Bi-ayans are of II
mild disposition, gentle and docile.
They engage in fishing and agrlcul-
ture, and practice some fine branches
Of industry such as the manufacture
of beautiful mats and elegant linen
fabrics.
The commerce of the islands is
.alnost entirely carried on by foreign
crS, chiefly Germans, English and
Americans. The chief exports are
sugar, hemp. tobacco and copper, and
the imports rice, flour, wine and pc
trolcum.
The soil of the Philippines is ex-
trcmc!y fertile. Among the agricul-
tural products are sugar, indigo, to-
bacco, rice, mllet, maize, sago, hemp
. and coffee. Besides the fruits and
vegetables Of all tropical countries,
others from more temperate regions
grow well. and timber as we'll as dye
wood and gums abound in every one
of the islands.
No wild beasts are found in the
Philippines; but the lakes and la.
goons, of which there are many, and
the marshes swarm with crocodics
and snakes y species of buffalo,
the carabao, is found in the islands,
and used for all purposes Of tillage
and husbandry. Horses, small but
strong. pigs, sheep, goats and wild
and domestic fowl are also found.
The rivers and lagoons abound in
fish. Swallows build edible nests in
the chalk cliffs and parrots and pig.
cons are met with in all the islands
The climate is hot, but tempered
by great moisture. The rainy sea
son lasts from May to November.
The mean temperature is 81 degrees
in summer and II degrees in winter.
The island Of Luzon is subject to
typhoons, which blow between Nav
AM December, often causing great
destruction to shipping and property
on shore. Earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions are frequent. In the earth
quake Of l6l5 5000 lives were lost
and those of 1862, 1912 and 1892
were also destructive oflife and prop
crty. In that of June, 1868, 1000
persons perishcd.
Manila, the capital of the archi.
polago. has $50, 600 Inhabitants
Other cities are Laoag. Lima. Ban