The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-22
THE PHILIPPINES
SOMETHING ABOUT MANILA
The Bay Furnishes One of the Finest
Harbors IN the Worid-Ths City Rs
sembles an Old Fortress-stons
Piers Extend Into the River.

Commodore Dewey's conquest Of Ma
mia brings a new territory into the
possession Of the United States, one of
which the general American people
know nothing. Something Of the char
acteristics of the islands, which may
well be called the Paradise of the
East Indies" and of their history will
be particularly interesting at this time.
says the Philadelphia Times.
Their history dates back. to 1921,
when they were discovered by Magel-
Ian and named by him in honor OF
Philip II. They were not settled until
1871. when Legaspi. accompanied by a
handful OF Spanish soldiers and st.
Augustine monks. took possession In
the name of Spain. The conquest was
bloodless and was singularly free from
the cruelty and greed which marked
similar Spanish colonization elsewhere.
The monks were actuated by q sincere
desire to convert the natives and cul-
tivat the islands in their interest. The
early history was s~inguiarly peaceful.
and, under the papist rule. Manila
sprang up a model capital and an in
dustrious town.
1t was situated on the island Of Luz
con. the largest of the group Sur
rounding it were more than a thousand
smaller isles. some 40 of which were
rapidly colonized. The extent of the
group vas 1.050 miles by 700 miles.
from the China sea on the north, south
and west to the Pacific ocean on the
east. The group lay southeast of Hong
Kong, the nearest continental city,
some $50 miles distant.
NJ 49,, Nall
mirable harbor and soon became one
of the most beautiful in the world. The
first Impressions to-day are not pleas
ing, but acquaintance soon e~ngenders
a love for the spacious place. The dis
tant mountain surroundings are fine,
but the shores are low, the vegetation
scanty, only redeemed from monotony
by groups of bamboos and palms. AS
one enters the city the filthy moat, the
noisome river. the dark walls and the
narrow streets do not impress one IA
vorably, to say the least. Upon ac-
Q~uaintance, however, ii is ound to be
a city of gayety and hospitality.
The city resembles somewhat an old
fortress, the surrounding walls of
which plainly show upon its crumbling
stones the marks of 500 years. The
once wide but shallow moat is nov
used but as a wallowing place for the
carabaos or water b~uffaloes, which are
the principal beasts OF burden and of
draught. The gates have not been
closed or the drawbridge raised for so
many years that in all probability the
rust would now make 1t impossible to
move them.
Stone piers project into the muddy
river Pasig. on one of which stands a
rude tumble-down fort. On another is
a lighthouse. The fleet of small steam
ers- and sailing craft which one sees
always here indicate the extensive
coasting trade of the port. The creeks
which ranch from the river with the
many bridges and innumerable canoes
spanning and threading the waters in
every direction show the name of
communication to the distant suburbs
and villages at the base of the mount
aims, while the clatter of vehicles n
chatter of the busy throng show at
once that this is a center of industry.
The fashionable drive Is called the
Calzada. Lined on either side with al
mono trees, Ii extends around the walls
and by the edge of the bay. Every
evening this drive, alive with music,
Is filled with long lines of carriages,
with gay cavaliers and b~areheaded la
dies. The sea breeze is refreshing and
laughter n gay badinage I'LL the
balmy air. Even the short-limbed,
sturdy little Manila ponies with their
DrlRnt trapplnsS seem 10 ENJOY the ue-
light of the hour.
The business streets are crowded
from morning until midnight. Chinese
thrift and English energy, Spanish in
dolence and the Indifference of the
native Indian are the salient features.
They mingle in a name found no
where else in the world. OF the 800. 900
inhabitants Of the province there are
perhaps 600 Europeans. a very few
Americans, some 5000 Spaniards, 1000