The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-13
CEBU AND ITS HISTORY
ISLAND THAT WAS "CIVILIZED'' BY
MAGELLAN CENTURIES AGO.
p1Orer Christia mixed the People
and Later Met His Death.
st. Louis Post-Dispatch.

american zap IKE a ripe apple Inc ma
tives raised the United States flag mucf
as did the Porto Ricans, with the cry
please capture US next" Uncle Sam il
1898 converted them to his form of govern
J ment quite as easily as Magellan in 1871 con.
, verted them to the Catholic religion.
This island. which the great navigator dis
covered. is one of the Philippine group. and
is the second island east of Panay OF
which Iloio is the principal city. It's ex.
treme length is 135 miles, extreme width
thirty miles 1t contains 2,413 square miles
The name, which was originally Sogbu, is
otherwise written Sebu and Zebu. The
inhabitants are Of the Malay breed closely
resembling the Tagals on the island OF
Luzon, but they are more sociable in dspo-
sition. This trait is marred, however, by
a desire for strong drink. In the hills are
a people who are supposed to be pure
blooded descendants of the original inhab-
itants. the Negritos. but the number is in
considerable and they seem to be dying out.
Cebu was discovered by Magellan in 1921.
About this time. after the spirit of navi-
cation had been so greatly accelerated by
the discoveries of Columbus. Ferdinand Ma
gellan, already known to fame as a mariner,
set forth on a voyage of discovery with
magnificent expedition fitted out by the
crown of Spain. He sailed for the south
west seas. and on Oct. 81, 1920. discovered
the straits at the southern point of South
| America, which are still known by his
name. Continuing from there, he struck out
across the unexpored region of the south
ern Pacific ocean. and finally. after many
hardships and perilous adventures. landed
at what is called the Island of Guam,
| which the United States took possession of
a few months ago and now holds as coal
ing station. 1t is a member OF the Ladrone
| group. several hundred miles east of the
| Philippines.
This discovery was made March 9. 1921.
| Magellan called them the Robber islands.
| on account of the characteristics Of the ma
| tives. After securing supplies there he pur-
| sued course to the southwest and in few
| days landed at small island in the south
| ern portion Of the Philippine archipelago.
| For a month he cruised around among the
| group, making friends with the natives and
securing fresh supplies, and on Sunday,
| April T. his fleet entered bay on the island
| OF Cebu. Even at that time, incredible as
1t may seem. these people had many pros
| porous towns and villages, with evidences
of civilization. They had measures Of ca
| pacity and knew the value OF weights. The
| scales they used were indentical in principle
with those in use to-day.
CONVERTED THE KING.
Magellan a religious zealot, well
| as the first circumnavigator Of the globe,
and the first thing he did was to convert
| the King of Cebu to Christianity. He gave
| up his idols and was publicly baptized on
the Sunday following Magellans advent in
| his domain This was followed few days
later by the baptism of the Queen and sew
eral hundred subjects. Many natives from
| adjacent islands also embraced the Catholic
faith. All this accomplished without a
suggestion of rupture between the authority
Of the native ruler and that of the King Of
Spain, and Magellan at once set about
strengthening the power of the King OF
Ce5u. this being the diplomatic means OF
more firmly intrenching the Spanish forces
An agreement was entered into which guar
anteed TO Spanish subjects the exclusive
right of trading in he Kings dominions.
Some OF the lesser Kings in that vicinity
were not disposed TO obey the order of
Magellan that they should be subservient to
the King Of Cebu, Magellan gave them the
alternative OF losing their heads. In order
TO impress them with the force OF his words
he sent expedition against the island of
Mactan. or Matan, burned his principal viii
lage and set up a cross among the smoking
ashes. Having assumed that much of the
white mans burden, he thought his position
safe but Spanish power in the islands was
destined TO be broken speedily as it had
been established.
In his life of Ferdinand Magellan" F. F.
II. Guillemard, NJ. A, NJ. D.. late lecturer in
geography at the University of Cambridge,
gives the following account of the battle of
Mactan and the death of Magellan:
1T is probable that Bulaya-the village
burned by order of the captain general, on
the occasion OF the Chastisement inflicted on
the rebel chiefs-was situated on the little
island of Mactan. or Matan, whose Rajah,
Silapulapu. had rendered an unwilling ODE
dience 10 the authority of the Sebu
potentate. He could not understand, he
said, why he should do homage one whom
he had been accustomed for so long to COM
mand
not rendered his attitude in any way more
submissive. While he was meditating upon
bV name lula sent a small present to the
admiral, together with a secret message 10
the effect that If he did not give more
suitable offering it was through no fault of
his Cwn, but rather from fear of the Rajah,
adding that If Magellan would help him with
a boat and a few men he would undertake to
subdCe his chief and hand over the island TO
the Spaniards
BRUSHED CAUTION ASIDE.
Upon receipt of the message Magellan at
once resolved to take the affair in hand.
Although at first opposed to the enterprise,
the King of Sebu was anxious to assist him
when he saw that he was determined upon
going. Joav Serrao, the captains stanch
adherent and right-hand man, the old and
tried warrior OF hundred fights, was alto
gether against It, Not only was nothing to
be gained by 1t. he argued but they had
already lost number of men, and il would
be unwise to leave the vessels as unpro-
tected as they would be obliged 10 leave
them. for the expedition needed a conSidera-
BILE force. But it was in vain that he pro-
tested Filled with religious enthusiasm at
his success in Sebu, Magellan desired to
push them further, until the whole archi- |
pelago should recognize the authority of |
Spain and be received into the bosom of the |
Catholic Church. He was one, moreover to |
brook no opposition from an individual
whom he regarded as a rebel rather than
enemy. Action with him followed close
upon resolve. Nothing apparently, could |
ever make him reconsider determination, |
only. And SO Serrao's words of caution |
were put aside and the expedition was pre-
pared AT the last moment his officers be- |
sought him not to go in person. But he |
would not have been Magellan had he lis |
tened TO them. Good shepherd as he was
writes Pigafetta, he refused to desert his |
flock.
''At midnight on Friday, April 26. all was
ready and the expedition left Sebu The |
Spaniards numbered sixty men all told. The |
Rajah of Sebu, the prince, a number of the |
chiefs and a force OF about a thousand men |
accompanied them in a fleet of twenty or |
thirty war canoes. The Europeans mad three |
boats only. The little island of Mactan is |
close to Sebu, forming, in fact its harbor, |
and the spot chosen for landing prob 1
ably not more than four or five miles dis |
tant from the feet. TX was reached three
hours before daylight No attempt was |
made to surprise and carry the town. The |
captain desired to try persuasion before |
force. Few men. probably. loved the din of |
battle more dearly than did he or joined |
taking But here the affair seemed mere |
child's play, and he probably did not think |
Ii possible that any number OF naked saw |
ages could be a match for the sixty armor- |