The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-05
TRADE WITH THE PHILIPPINES.
Greater Portion of 1t Controlled by
This Country


Washington, May At is the under
standing at the state department that Con-
sui Oscar F. Williams, our representative
at Manila until the recent war began, is
now aboard the flagship Olympia, in Ma
Mia harbor, having accompanied Commo-
dore Dewey from Hong Kong, so that
advices may come from him to the state
department as well as from Commodore
Dewey to the navy department @d
A mail report from Consul Will
Jams reached the state depart
ment recently under date Of
Manila. Feb. Is last 1t gives a
full description Of the Philippine Islands,
their resources. growth Of American trade,
etc, and will be incorporated in the next
volume issued by the bureau of statistics
of the state department.
Mr.. Williams report says: Local and
European authorities estimate the area
Of the Philippine islands at 10000 square
miles, and their population at 100000
THE Island of Luzon, on which the city
of Manila is situated, is larger than New
York and Massachusetts, and has popu-
lation of 100000 and the Island of Min
danao is nearly, if not quite, as large.
There are scores of other islands.
IAN 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 10 per cent. less area and
population"
Mr. Williams states that twenty-five con-
sulates, representing the leading CONNER
cial countries of the world, are establish
ed at Manila. He adds the surprising
statement The volume of the export
trade coming under my official supervision
equals that of my twenty-one consular
colleagues combined
He then shows in detil how the trade of
the Philippines with the United States ex-
ceeds that of all other countries combined,
and is growing at a remarkable rate. AS
indicating the extent of this trade. ne says:
To-day / have authenticated invoices for
export TO the United States amounting to
S13S 066"
He says the exports to this country aver
age $1,000OO0 a month.
In previous report, dated Feb TO- Mr.
Williams s ated that Manila had Just pass
ed through a most devastating fire. the
total loss being $2,50OO00. lie said tho
CITY would nave been totally destroyed had
1t not been for the splendid service of an
American fire engine brought from Seneca
Falls, N. Y.
In another report MIR. Williams gives the
railroad and ocean steamship facilities Of
the Philippine Islands. The main rail-
road from Manila is frst-class. having
steel rails, stone culverts and English en-
gnes, which make forty-ive 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 depart
ment also has gazetteer published an
Hong Kong, which gives a full account of
conditions In the Philippines. 1t shows
that by the last census the population Of
Manila was 10000 natives. $1,000 Chinese,
400 Spaniards and $50 Europeans other
than Spaniards.
The towneis made up of low buildings as
the people are in constant dread OF earth
quakes. One of these commissions killed
800 people, and the last one, in 1880 wreck
ed most of the town. The city proper is
within the walls where the government
buildings are located. The residence and
business portions are In the suburbs There
are six daily papers. three banks, a mint
a chamber Of commerce. and complete
electric light and telephone plants. The
Mexican dollar is in general use.