The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-08
ON THE PHILIPPINES.
characteristics and Pecu1iarities OF
Country and People.

The following timely article, de-
scription of the Philippines, was writ
ten by J. B. Gaylord, who has spent
much time in the Orient and is an ex-
perienced traveller and a careful and
critical observer. 1t was first publish
ed in the Independence Qa.), Bulletin
Journal:
Until quite recently the average
American was in blissfu1 ignorance of
that magnificent insular empire known
as the Philippines. But since the bril-
liant victory of Rear Admiral Dewey at
Manila, and the possibility of their be-
coming our permanent property, all
classes of our people are eager to learn
more about them. Situated as they are
outside routes followed by the steam
ship lines plying between the Pacific
coast ports and Asia, and the numer-
Gus European and Asiatic steamship
lines, the tourists have left these is
lands out of their route. Another and
greater reason why they have been ta-
booed by the globe trotter is the trou-
BILE and annoyance of having to secure
passports. 1t has always been the pol
icy of the Spanish officials to place all
manner of obstacles in the way, and
make it as unpleasant as possible to
the visitor. They were evidently afraid
that someone would learn too much
about the way they misgoverned the
country.
In this sketch will give the reader
some of the characteristics and pecu-
liarities OF the country and of its IN
habitants. AS there are over two hun
bred different tribes in the various is
lands, each with its own customs. man
ners and language, description OF
those from one part of the archipelago
would not accurately fit those of anoth-
er section, but there are some traits
that are common to all the group, chief
of these being laziness and gambling.
But when you come to investigate and
do little thinking, you do not wonder
at their disposition to take 1T easy, for
between the Spanish official and the
priest the poor native has to give up all
his earnings except barely enough to
support himself and family.
Under like conditions the most ener-
getic race in the world would become
indolent. Gambling of all kinds is en-
couraged by the government, which de-
rives a great revenue from that source.
The government runs q lottery, and
there are four drawings each year, the
main prize being 100000 Even in this
the Spaniards cannot be square for
it is we'll known that the governor gen
erals wife draws the big winning once
each year. This, however, does not
prevent the natives from taking their
chances on the drawing. They will
pawn the last article they possess to
buy tickets. They have all kinds of
gambling games and devices with cards
and dice, and all manner of Chinese
games as well. Their greatest amuSe-
ment and betting feature is the cock
fight. There are cooking mains in eve
ry little hamlet, and a match between
| two we'll known birds will draw crowds
I
| thousands of dollars change hands over
the result. 1t speaks well for the good
| nature of the native that there are sell
dom or never any rows or Quarrels over
| their bets.
| The bulk of the natives are Moham-
medans of Malay origin; they are nat
| uralIy mild, amiable and more cheerful
| in disposition than the average Asiat-
ic. Owing to their religion they do not
| indulge in either strong drink or opium,
so that as a rule they have not de-
| Perforated. But Spain cannot claim any
credit for this; it is the command of
| the Koran that makes them strictly
| temperate. The islands are within the
| tropics. and extend from four to q de-
grees north latitude, and extend from
| the southeast to the northwest for
| about 1900 miles. There are upwards
of 700 islands in the group, but many
| of them are small. All are immensely
rich in soil and in all of the natural
productions of the tropics, but general
1y undeveloped- They are of volcanic
| origin, and there are many volcanoes
on the larger islands. The area is al
most three times that of Iowa, the most
| important and largest islands being
Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Mindoro,
Panay, Samar. Cebu, Negros. Leyte,