Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-08-03

114,350 square miles,, and the great
mass of the population are Luzon, Min
danao, Negroes, Panay, Mindoro, Cebu,
Samar, Leyte, Palawan, Bojol and Mas
bate. Lying between Borneo and For
mosa, the archipelago extends some 800
leagues from north to south, and $50
from east to west, and covers 141a de-
grees of latitude and degrees of lon
gitude. Luzon and Mindanao together
exceed all the other islands combined.
Manila, the capital, situated on the
west coast of Luzon is in latitude IA
degrees sc minutes north and longitude
120 degrees 81 minutes east. Its posi-
pan, China, AMMAN. the English and
Dutch ports Of the Malayan archipelago
and Australia" is, observes Jagor, Eek
tremely favorable to the development
Of a worldwide trade" Some 1000
miles distant from San Francisco, it
is but $50 miles from Hongkong, while
from the northern extremity Of Luzon
to the south cape Of Formosa is little
mere than 200 miles.
The Town OF Manila.
The site of Manila was selected chief
~ on account Of its fine harbor or bay
circular in form, and capable of hold
ing all the navies Of the world" Into
this debouches the river Pasig, which,
with breadth of about $50 feet, flows
through the city, dividing it into Ma
Mia proper CT old Manila, and new
Manila or Binoado The former, oc-
cupying the left or southern bank of
The river, is the fortress or citadel. 1t
contains, besides the principal FORTH
cations, the palace and the cathedral,
and is surrounded by old walls, bas-
toned and moated, and dating back
In part to the sixteenth century. These
walls have been cracked by earth
Quakes, and could easily be preached
by modern artillery. Jagor describes
the old town as "a hot, dried-up place,
full of monasteries, converts, barracks
and government buildings" at still
preserves" says a later writer, "all the
austere appearance Of a city Of the
reign of Philip H." Upon the walls,
however, and beneath them, have been
arranged pleasant promenades, where
the aristocracy stroll and drive and
ride in the cool of the evening. The
district Of Binondo, on the right bank
of the river, is the place of business,
the real commercial capital; and here
are the shops and warehouses and the
movement of modern life. Here, also,
and in the pleasant suburban villages
or pueblos behind the city, live the
foreigners and the weather. class. Be-
bind the city stretches a fat region
rich in tropical vegetation, through
which flows for some twenty miles the
river Pasig which forms the outlet Of
q great fresh-water lake called the La
guna; the country around being known
as the Laguna province. Beyond this
region the land rises towards the ir-
regular mountain chain or sierra which
runs parallel with the east coast, and,
which, Astounding in grand and pictur-
esque scenery, is the home OF the wild
er native tribes. From this range as
cends Mayor, an active volcano of con-
zeal form, about eight thousand feet In
elevation, conspicuous landmark from
the sea. This height, with that of Ba-
najao (6,500 feet, and San Cristobal
G,375 feet, are but little exceeded by
Halcon in Mindoro (S,S6S feet). Next
in population to Manila Is the town of
Cavite, at the southern point of the
bay, eight miles distant, where were
the Spanish naval and quarantine sta
tion and arsenal, and the defences so
cleverly turned by Admiral Dewey In
the dawn of that eventful first of May.
Other ports in the Philippines which
have been opened to general trade are
Sual in Luzon, Iloilo in the island OF
Panay, and Zamboanga in Minda-
mao. Sual has probably the best
harbor, but Iloilo is the more i'm
portant point, its province being the
most advanced after that of Manila.
The pima fabrics made here are the
most esteemed. Capis, or Capiz, also
in Panay, Is another considerable town.
Tacloban, the chief town of the island
OF Leyte, has an excellent harbor and
is the emporium of trade between Man
ia and the islands OF Leyte and Sa-
mar. Another trade station is Cebu,
the principal town of the island Of Sc
blu. From Manila to Iloilo it Is SO
hours by steam and IS hours further to
Cebu. Other points in provinces or dis
tricts Of Albay, Bulacan, North and
South Cansarines, Batangas, Pagsan-
Jan, and in the Cagayan Valley (rich in
tobacco might readily be developed
into important centers by growing
commerce.