The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-28
The Philippines.

me philippines.
The report of American activity looking
TO the establishment of a blockade OF the
port of Manila turns attention to that far
away section of the world, which is chiefly
associated in the average western mind
with Malay pirates and Spanish oppression
of an overpowered people. Most persons
who have given attention to the pending
controversy with Spain remember that the
Philippines are off the southeastern coast
of China, and TO the southwark of For
mosa, but they probably fail TO recall what
an extensive territory is embraced in
Spains possessions there. The Philippine
archipelago includes nearly 600 islands.
The greater number of them are small, but
thirteen are quite large. Luzon, the larg-
est and richest of the group, has an area
of 10000 square miles. The capital, Ma
Mia, is on this island, and is a city of
some 100000 souls. The city is old, rich
and picturesque, and has a large com
merce in sugar, hemp and tobacco. Min
danao is the island second in size, and has
an area of approximately $1,000 square
miles. The total area of the whole of
Spains possessions in the Archipelago is
about 10000 square miles, or more than
three times the area of Cuba.
The population of the Philippines is es-
timated al about 100000. but is anything
except homogeneous. There are a dozen
races, probably. and half-breeds in indie
scribable medley. The religions of the
territory are as numerous and confusing
TO the occidental mind as the tribes and
races. There are large numbers of NO
hammedans, and Buddhists, and Shlnto-
lists, besides the Christians. There are com
paratively few Spaniards from Spain in the
islands; and the natives hate them ali
ardently on some of the islands, indeed,
the Spaniards have never been able TO
beat the fierce natives into subjection, and
they maintain practical Independence. In
surrections are constantly recurring, es-
pecially in the southern part of the group,
where the Malays form the majority of
population Weyler, 1t will be remember
ed, was governor general of the Philip
pines before, he was sent to Cuba, and
"pacifed' the islands by methods which
have given him the title of butcher"
The natives are especially bitter against
Spain because of Weyler, and would prob
ably welcome the American feet and CO.
operate with the ships TO the end of re-
venging themselves upon their oppressors.
AT last authentic advices Spain had five
cruisers, three troop ships and five small
gun boats at Manila, and one cruiser at
Annoy China. The cruisers were tbs 1sla
de Cuba, Isla de Luzon, Castillo, Don
Antonio de Ulla, Don Juan de Austria and
Relna Christina. Neither is a first-class
cruiser Against this force the United
States have the cruiser Olympia, one of the
finest ships of her class in the navy; the
Boston, a powerful cruiser; the Raleigh
and Concord, smaller vessels but good
fighters, and the Petrol and the .Nlonocacy.
OF the latter two, the last cannot be
counted upon TO do much fighting. She is
an antlduated old tub, which should have
been condemned and sent to the scrap
heap years ago.
The American fleet is not large, but is
compact and formidable. II will probably
succeed in holding Manila. This would cut
off a base of Spanish supplies. and give
that government lot of fresh trouble
with its Philippine subjects 1t is not the
| purpose of the United States, however, to
hold the islands, except for war purposes.
| Our purpose is to free Cuba When
we shall have accomplished that we will,
If the Philippines are then in our posses
sion, probably either return them to Spain,
or realize a war indemnity upon them.