The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-05-26
(NatiOnal lntelligencer.) }


While awaiting the next decisive
move In our war with Spain, whether
1t be on land or sea, the great, over
topping fact of the present is that
the American flag has been firmly
planted on the East Indian posses
slons of Spain by virtue of Admiral
Dewey's victory on May l at Manila.
Not only is the power of the United
States now supreme in the Philip
pine Islands, but it appears to be the
policy of our government to main
tain its foothold there indefinitely.
Hence our sudden interest in that
far off island and the desire for all
the light obtainable on these new
possessions of Uncle Sam
SO something of the geography and
character of the Philippines and their
people is here given.
HELD BACK BY SPAIN
Lying right in the track of the
worlds inter-continental commerce,
and with one of the finest harbors in
the world, the Philippine Archipela-
go has remained closed to free COM
mercial intercourse through all the
years since Magellan staked out the
Spanish claim in 1921. Spain has
held the groupe in her greedy hands,
constantly squeezing for an excess
of revenues, thus preventing natural
growth and development, and try
ing to monopolize the trade of the
natives. That they have not of late
succeeded in this was shown in the
recent remarkable report from the
American consul at Manila which
was recorded in last weeks Path
finder. AS if anticipating the politi-
cal event that report showed how 81
per cent. of the exports of the Philip
pines have been absorbed by Ameri-
can traders.
The Philippines lie in the north
tropic zone and separate the South
China Sea on the west and the Pacific
ocean on the east. The eastern shore
of Luzon, the principal island, is
about 600 miles east of Hong Kong;
it is the largest and most northern
island of the great group-a group
which, extending from 5 degrees to
20 degrees north latitude, and over a
longitude Of 10 degrees to 1O7 degrees
east OF Greenwich, covers north
and south line of 1 ,O5O miles, and an
east and west line of about 700
miles.
1t is estimated that this group COM
prises l, 400 islands, of which by far
the larger part are mere islets. They
are of coral and volcanic formation,
the cones often having tremendous
eruptions. Next to Luzon, with it's
Al, 900 square miles area, is Minda-
noa, on the southeast, having an
area of 37,456 square miles. The
total area is computed at 114,OOO
square miles. There are a half a
dozen other islands in the central
and western part of the group, the
areas of which range from that of
Rhode Island to that of Connecticut.
THE INHABITANTS.
The islands had total population
last year of about 10000, 900, accord
ing to the estimate of Catholic
priests in correspondence with Pa
pal Delegate MartinelE, although
encyclopedias (out of date) place the
figures as low as 100000 and some
estimates are at 100000.
A dwarfed race of ssNegritos,' now
driven into the mountains and in
terror lands, seem to be the descend
ants of the aborigines.
The bulk of the population is Ma
layan, of whom there are numerous
tribes; the dirtiest and most pagan
is known as the Igorrotes, and yet
they display very exemplary quail
ties. They are one of the most i'm
portant tribes of Luzon and are
amongst the population who virtu-
ally escape omnivorous Spanish taxa
ton. They are good farmers, laying
out terraced fields on the noun
tains, constructing irrigation canals
and having considerable reputation
as metallurgists. Their domestic
morality is favorably in contrast
with that of their neighbors.
Another element of the population
or defendants of mixed Semitic and
native blood. There is scarcely a |
community on these islands where
the Chinese are not found.
LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.
The climate of the Philippines va
ries little from that of other noun
famous tropical countries. The |
range of the thermometer during the |
year is from a little over 60 degrees
to about 80. The year may be di-
vided into three seasons; the first |
cold an dry, commences in Novem-
Der; the second, warm and still dry. |
in March. the greatest |
heat being experienced from April |
to the end of MAY. and the third |
which is excessively wet, continues
from June to the middle of Novem-
ber |
Generally speaking, the natives
are mild and amiable, predisposed
to religious observances, extremely
and very hospitable.
Those of Batangas, Cagayan and
Southern Ilocos are better and more
industrious laborers than those of
the other provinces. During their
youth they work with energy and a
certain mental vigor. but on reach
ing more advanced age lapse into !
Incidence which is one of their great
est defects.
The women are adverse to idleness. |
have spirit of enterprise and often
engage in various trades with sue
cess. They are economical and sac
ritice themselves cheerfully for those
to whom they are attached. Petty |
trade and banking are almost entire
ly in their hands. Europeans and
their descendants are not numerous |!
here, although there is a considerable