The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-05-18
The Philippine Islands.
Area, Population, Extent Of Re
,,o., rT.olo t., Do.or;lo1

sources, Trade, Etc, Described.
Washington.-The understanding
atthe state department is that Consul
Oscar /. Williams, cur representative
at Manila until the recent War began,
is now aboard the flagship Oly mpia
in Manila harbor, having accom-
panied Commodore Dewey from
Hong Kong, 50 that advices may
come from him to the state depart
ment as well as from Commodore
Dewey to the navy department. A
mail report from C)nsul Williams
reached the sts:e department recently
from Manila 1t gives a full descrip-
tion OF the Philippine islands, their
resources. growth Of American trade,
etc, and will be incorporated in the
next volume issued by the depart
ment.
Mr.. Williams report says:
Local and European authorities
estimated the area Of the Philippine
islands at 10000 square miles and
their population at l5,O00,O00. The
island of Lrzon, on which the city Of
Manila is situated, is larger than
New York and Massachusetts, and
has population Of 100000 and the
island Of Mindanoa is nearly, if not
quite, as large There are scores of
other islands. An idea Of the extent
of the population OF the Philippines
may be formed when it is stated that
the six New ENGLAND states and New
York, New Jersey, Maryland and
Delaware have ten per cent. less area
and population.
Wr. Williams states that % con-
sulates, representing the leading
commercial countries Of the world,
are established at Manila. He adds
the surprising statement ''the volume
of the export trade, coming under
official supervision, equals that of my
81 consular colleagues" combined.
He then shows in detail how tie
trade of the Philippines with the
AIuited Suites exceeds that Of all
other countries combined and is
growing at a remarkable rate. AS
indicating the extent Of this trade,
he says: "Today l have authenti
Gated invoices for export to the
United States amounting to $685.
O66."
He says the exports to this country
average S1,000,000 month.
In previous report. Mr.. Williams
stated that Manila had just passed
through most devasting fire, the
total loss being S2,5O0,00O. He said
the city would have been totally de-
stroyed had it not been for the
splendid service CT an American fire
engine brought from Seneca Falls,
\. Y.
In another report NJ. Williams
gives the railroad AID ocean steam
ship facilities Of the Philippines.
The main railroad from Manila is
first class, having steel rails, stone
culverts and Eoglish engines, which
make IS miles an hour. There are
four steamship lines TO Hong Kong
and a monthly line from Manila to
Liverpool.
Besides these direct reports from
the United States consul. the state
department also has gazette pub
lished at Hong kong which gives
full account of the conditions in the
Philippines. 1t shows that by tie
last census the population Of Manila
was 1G 1000 natives, $1,000 Chinese,
1 100 Spaniarls ard $50 Europeans
other than Spaulards The town is
made up CT low buildings, as the
people are in constant dread Of earth
ouakes. One OF those convulsions
killed 800 people, and the last one,
in 1880, wrecked most Ct the town.
The city proper is within walls,
where the government buildings are
located. The residence and business
portions are in the suburbs There
gre six daily papers, three banks, a
mint, chamber Of commerce, and
complete electric light and telephone
plants. The Mexican dollar is in
general use.
Commodore Dewey,