Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-03
FEATURES OF MANILA.
Capital Of the Philippines Taken by Our
Fleet.

Manila, the capital Of the Philippines
is situated In the island of Luzon, at
the mouth of the river Pasig, which
empties into the bay of Manila. The
city was founded in 1871. In 1e45 it was
almost entirely destroyed by an earth
quake. in which upwards of 300 lives
were lost. In 1868 great part of the
city was again destroyed from the
same cause. and in July, 1850, another
terrible lpheaval made wreck of n
great portion of it. The Inhabitants
are naturally In constant fear of these
visitations. The houses are built with
especial reference to safety under such
circumstances, and. although large, pos
sess few pretentions to architectural
beauty.
The city proper within the walls Is
small and contains scanty population,
but the large government buildings
and religious institutions are grouped
there. The suburbs, OF which Binondo
ranks first In order of Importance, are
the centers of trade and industry. The
Escolta, the main business street, tray
erses this suburb. and In 1t most of the
European stores and bazars are to be
found. The Rozarino. another broad
thoroughfare in Binondo, is occupied
chiefly by Chinese shops. and ia a busy
quarter. San Miguel is the aristocratic
suburb. being the seat of the residences
of the wealthy merchants and other
residents.
The architecture of Manila Is not i'm
posing. successive earthquakes having
wrought much damage. and the city
has an Old World aspect, tempered by
its tropical Surroundings. The streets
present the greatest animation in the
evening, when the cigar factories are
closed and the carriages OF the upper
classes are out for the customary prom
enade. There are several ancient
churches which are worthy of notice.
The Cathedral, founded originally in
1873, has been several times DESTROYED
by earthquakes and did not escape in
1863. II has been since rebuilt. but
again sustained considerable damage
In 1850. when the tower was so much
shattered that 1t had to be pulled down.
There are several theaters, but none
worthy Of the place, The opera is well
supported in Manila. A statue of
Charles ~ stands in the center Of the
Palacio square, and one of Isabella IL
opposite to the Variedades theater.
The observatory. admirably managed
by the Jesuit fathers. Is well worthy of
visit. There IL a good English club,
OF the hote Is the Hotel de Oriente is
the principal, The city and its suburbs
contain a population OF 100000, and are
the seat OF q considerable and yearly
increasing commerce.
The principal articles OF export are
hemp, sugar tobacco, cigars, coffee
and indigo.while OF the imports cotton
goods form the chief item. The an
choraGe Is distant some three miles
from the shore. The river presents a
scene OF great animation. being crowd
ed with native craft interspersed with
vessels OF foreign build. The police OF
the city is under military discipline.
and Is composed OF natives a new de-
parment of the police has recently
been formed. called the municInal
guard. There is also n force of watch
men. who patrol from 10 o'clock at
night until O'Clock in the morning
through the more populous parts of
the city.and are paid by the merchants
and tradesmen. a very low average OF
crime Is said to exist. but the native
classes are much addicted to gam,
bling. mn offense punishable by law.
although the government reaps a large