The daily sentinel., 1899-05-02
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

Manila was founded in 1871.
Hemp Is one of the principal prod
ucts.
The total number of islands Is about
1900.
The islands are blessed with many
harbors.
The population is said to be over
5000, 900.
They were first settled by the Span
ish in 1865.
Hong Kong.
Eebout one-flfth of the land Is under
rude cultivation.
They were named in honor OF King
Philip II. of Spain.
The number of Chinese on the is
lands is about 100000.
The three principal commercial ports
are Manila, Iloilo and Cebu.
The islands extend north and south
for nearly a thousand miles.
They were first discovered March IL,
1921, by Fernando Magellan.
Spain subjected the islands after
much fighting and bloodshed
The islands have great forests. con-
tanning many valuable woods.
The plague and the yellow fever
have never visited the islands.
The first native rebellion occurred in
1872. but was soon put down.
The total area of the islands is es-
timated at 114.326 square miles.
The last insurrectlon of the natives
against Spain occurred in 1896.
Manila was captured by the English
In 1861, but was restored in 1854.
Cavite, the scene Of Dewey's naval
victory, is seven miles from Manila.
The exports consist of sugar. hemp.
coHra. cigars, tobacco, perfumes and
woods.
The hemp plant grows to a height
of fifteen feet and it's native name is
abaca.
The islands are of volcanic origin,
and in general are rugged and noun
famous.
The imports are chiefly flour. rice,
wines, clothing. machinery, petroleum
and COAL
March and May are the hottest
months and November and February
the coolest.
Gold, mercury. iron, copper, lead.
coal, sulphur, and numerous mineral
waters exist.
During the rainy season, which ex-
tends from June until November. tho
rivers frequently overflow.
There are seventy miles OF railway.
721 miles OF telegraph and submar-
inc cable from Manila to Hongkong.
Luzon, the northermost Of the is
square miles about equaling that OF
Cuba.
Cebu is on the island of Panay. It
ranks as the third city Of the island.
1t is on the eastern coast and has a
population Of $4,000.
Manila is situated on the western
coast of Luzon, where the Passig river
enters Manila bay. The population.
with suburbs, is 100000.
Pepper. cinnamon, the Glove. tea, and
vanilla, and all tropical fruits, such as
cocoanuts. bananas, lemons, oranges,
pineapples and quavas. grow wild.
Iloilo is situated on the island Of
Panay. The population is 1890. In
spring tides flood the town, but 1t is
considered a very healthy place. It
has an excellent harbor.
The native inhabitants are chiefly of
the Malay race, and are mainly of two
great tribes, the Tagals and the Visa
yas. In more inaccessible parts are
limited numbers of Negritos, who are
undoubtedly the original Inhabitants.
and were driven back by the invading
Malays before the Spaniards landed on
the islands.
The commerce OF the country for
1886 and 1897 was estimated at $40, ,O00,-
900 imports and $2O,00O.OOO exports.
The value of the imports in 1894 was
$2S, ,777; exports. $33.149,9s4. VAL
ues of the principal commercial prod
ucts exported in 1894: Manila hemp,
$14,517 900; sugar. $10,975. 900; tobacco
50, 159, 900; cocoanuts. $2,349. 900; coffee,
$356.OOO coal. $35O,OO0. The United
States uses nearly half the hemp grown
on the island.