New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-02

ated on Manila Bay. at the mouth Of the river
Pasg The city forms the segment Of circle
between the river ard the sea. and its suburbs
extend over numerous isets. formed by the
river and its branches The river Pasig Is pro-
longed into the bay by two piers Al the end
Of one OF them is a small fort. and a lighthouse
IS situated at the end Of the other pier. Vessels
Of small tonnage can go UP as far as the bridge
which crosses the river
The town stands the south side has a
dilapidated look but is said TO he strongly forti-
fed On the north side is the Binondo suburb
which is the residence Of the foreign merchants
and the great centre OF trade. 1t is more popu-
lous than the city itself.
APPEARS BOTH SPANISH AND ORIENTAL
Manila has both Spanish and an Oriental
appeal rance. There long lines OF heavily
mount ed % batteries. dark looking churches
strange looking towers and massive houses or
solid masonry These mingle with light little
houses or cottages in groves OF tropical trees.
raiseh from the ground by posts. in order to per
nit theiffae passage OF the waters in the rainy
season: 3 The streets straight mostly un-
paved and almost impossible during the rainy
In the city the houses two stories high.
and each has It's central courtyard. There re
side the heads OF the State. the Church and the
Army. and all those who claim to belong to the
aristocracy.
The bridge across the river leads from the
city proper into the Binondo suburb. where A
street, called the Escalta. runs 10 the right and
70 the lett It is lined with innumerable shops.
stores and stalls and s usually crowded with
peop. ~ various races
BEYOND the Escalta is colony ~ Chinese.
Indians and half castles. who do business as
roldsnniths arc Jew ellers. painters and enam-
ole nd COnfecfiOnprE
and keepers Of gambling houses and cook shops
The other suburbs have each special char
acter For instance San Fernando Is the seat
a. the great cigar manufacturers. and Santo
Mesa IA the centre OF the cordage mandatory.
A. the Alcaicerfa suburb the Chinese sampans
discharge their cargots: the fishermen ana
weavers nhabit the suburb Of Tondo. and It's
gardens supply the markets with fruit and
vegetables. The suburb OF Maate is famous for
ia erhroderers Pace Is where the artisans
and artists live. and health seekers flock 10
Santa Ana and san Pedro Macau.
CITY HAS SOME FINE BUILDINGS
The principal buildings in Manila are the
Cathedral. the palace OF the Governor. the pal
ace ot the Archbishop. the Town Hall, A beau
tiful building: ten churches. belonging TO the
different religious orders; several nonasteries'
number Of converts. the arsenal. three col
eges for young men two colleges for young
women. the Supreme Court building. the prison
the civil hospital. the University, the marine
school, the commercial school. tho theatre. a
large building: the custom house ard the bar
racks
There are several large squares in Manila. the
largest Of which is the Prado. in which Is stu
ated a bronze statue of Charles ".
POUNDED IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
Manilas municipality dates from the year
loIl. when the city founded by LegaspL 1t
Is splendid natural trade-centr" and ranks
with Calcutta and Batavia. Being the chief
port in the Philippine Islands. ali their produc-
lions flow there and its harbor Is visited by
very great number Of vessels Of all sorts and
yves. Its exports consist Of sugar. tobacco In
oiso Manila hemp and cordage. gold dust, birds
"ests' coffee sapanwood. mats. hats. hides, ire
pdhg tortoise shell. cigars. cotton. rice etc
us manufactures are chiefly cigars and che
'oots. a government monopoly: co-dage from
Tue niaments OF the abaca. beautiful fabrics
hhoWn as pnas. woven from the fbres or the
pineapple leaf. and afterward exqusitely en-
orodered various other cloths made OF the
aoaca flament. pure and mixed cotton fabrics.
mats and cigar casee
SUBJECT TO EARTHQUAKES
In lG45 Manila was nearly destroyed by earth
Quakes. which have since frequently and severe
VISITED the place. a BRUSH Meet captufeo
manila in 1862 and held it for fifteen months.
"hen II was by treaty restored to Spain The
population Of Manila. with It's suburbs is about
one hundred and sixty thousand
The Philippine Islands belong 20 the MALAY
archipelago. Next to Cuba they are tne most
valuable colonial possession OF Spain. In all
mere are about 1000 islands in the Philippine
group the principal OF which Iuzon.
'i'hdanao and Palawan with Mindoro, Panay.
Negros Zebu. Bohol Leyte. Samar and Mas
oate and many other smaller islands. Their
'0'a' area is estimated at about 1888 square