The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-11
Marvellous Value of the 400
Philippines Now Ours.
Great Diversity of the Interests
and People.
GEN. MERRITT'S TASK.
How American Ingenuity and
Brains Will Be Applied.
To Put the Islands on the Path
of Progress.
n. MERRITT'S TASK.

Now that General Merritt is on his
way to the Philippines as military gov
ernor of the islands everyone is inquir-
ing about the nature of the great task
before him.
First-The fourteen hundred islands
of the group are to be conquerer, the
Spanish forces defeated and the insur-
gents pacified. A tropical empire, COW
ering the Iatitudes of Cuba and Ven
ezuela in extent covering 700 miles
north and south by 800 miles east and
west, filled with scores of races and
tribes, embracing every shade OF cross
bred humanity between Spanish, Indian
and Chinese, this territory presents
problem of good government that only
q typical American can solve.
Some of the islands are yet to be ex-
pIored and surveyed. Every grade of
barbarism and civilization, from that
of the Malay pirates to steady going
English business men, characterizeS the
inhabitants of those far aft, dreamy
isles.
Population. 1900, 900: area, 145.OO0
square miles; mountains, two main
ranges, extending lengthwise of the is
lands; highest peaks from 5000 to 10000
feet; nVe peaks above S,OOO feet. Cnar-
acter of the country, chiefly hilly and
mountainous, with plateaus and broad
valleys between Dense vegetation
carpets the Philippine world from sea
to mountain tops; cuttings" and bare
rocks seldom appear. Geological as
pect-sea shells in hills and mountains,
indicating volcanic upheavalS from the
sea. Much of the elevated country
was belched heavenward at compare
lively recent date.
Climate-There are three seasons;
cold from November to March, hot
from March to June, wet from July to
October Atmospheric disturbances
Terrific thunder storms in May and
June, cascades of water fall in floods
from the clouds, often devastating
mountain verdure, sweeping down trees
and rocks in earth shaking avalanches.
Mineral depOSitS-Rich coal fields ten
to twenty feet thick veins extending
great distances under bays and pla-
teaus- Diamond drills and American
enterprise would soon find millions of
tons of fuel Iron ore is in abundance,
of exceptional purity, equal to the Swe-
dish ore; no works or smelling furnaces
TO speak of in the country; extensive
copper mines.
Gold deposits are diffused through
all the islands, though in what the
Spantards call small quantities." Ex-
pertS declare that American skill and
industry would develop millions in pre-
cious metals. Freaks of nature-au
mat Is strange and beautiful unique
and hideous-appear in the Philippines
AT the numerous hot springs flowing
over slabs of marb1e-liIze formations
one may fry eggs, roast chickens or
tropical humming birds on the hot nor
celain-like rocks, chemically enameIed
a dazzling snowy white by the waters
Anlmals-eVerythin that moves, walks,
islands.
Nhlte monkeys, 30 kinds of bats wild
Doars with tusheS a foot long; deer
wild horses, buffalo, mountain goats
2S7 species of birds; shell fish of va
rleties as numerous as the stars in
heaven, and big snakes and lizards be-
ueVed by SuperStitiOuS natives to keep
on earthquakes If respectfully treated.
ADD TO this multitude of animals a
wondrous flora, 4479 different species of
Mowers Products INCLUDING almost
every kind of fruit and grain), coffee,
rio
potatoes, European vegetables a hun
dred kinds of bamboo, and last the ia
nous Manila hemp, so useful at Amer
lean hangingS. Manufactures-fabrics
or many kinds. including silks and cot
ton, fine hats mats, baskets, ropes and
Irvine, exquisite bamboo furniture,
rather clumsy pottery, carriages and
lastly musical instruments, on which
the natives play with much skill.
s EYER y indian II 11! -. must pay tribute to
cial tax spaniards and haif-breeds
must pay a poll tax of $3.50.
SchoolS-Every pueblo must have a
school, though the standard is low The
church controls the education of the
islanders. the priests unusually being the
teachers. The press-newspapers are
under strict civil and church control.
politics is forbidden by law. General
Merritt will soon change all that
Inc chief newspaper, Ell Diario de
Manila, has been published at the cap
1tal since 1S4S. Languag es-It is de-
clared that 80 distinct languages not
dialects, are spoken in the Islands.
There were 10000 Chinese there in 1880
more or less adding to the variety of
tongues heard in that land of humming
birds and earthquakes
Revenues and aver1,
body. except a few officials and the
clergy, contribute to the Spanish treas
ury: The public revenues have f1uctu-
ated between $4,000, 900 and $50 900 900
year. Commerce-The PbiiiDnine
trade, with America particularly, would
nave grown immensely but for the
Spanish restrictions. In ten years.
however, American tonnage doubled In
1895 all the imports were S29. 444 600 All
exports were So, 000, 900. The following
ngures Show the commercial business
between the United States and the
Philippines alone from 1855 70 1907.
imports From Exports To
1SSS .......$1O, 26S. 27Si 1888 S165 o0a