The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-06-15


are called Tagalos. They are the small
est and least brave, but also most
treacherous and tricky of the Filipinos,
and always have been reckoned as the
| poorest fighters; have always been
most completely under SPANS DONNA
| ton, and have suffered most accord
ingly.
The central group of islands is term
ed the Visaya group. The inhabitants
| called Visayos-are somewhat larger,
| stronger, more Independent than the
Tagalos. The difference, however, Is
| far less marked than between our diff
| ferent Indian tribes. Travellers, in or
| der to strengthen the force of their
| distinctions and comparisons, are apt
drawn distinction between the Taga-
los and the Visayoss is not justified.
| The Moros or Mohammedan Malays
| aggregate less than million. They
inhabit the Sulu group at the south Of
the archipelago, parts Of Mindanao,
| and the southern third of Palawan.
One Sultan, whose residence is Sulu, is
acknowledged throughout these ISL
ands. The Moros are fierce, fanati-
cal, seafaring race. who were never
| conquered by Spain. 1t is unsafe for
a white man to venture among them.
To kill Christians Is part Of their re-
ligious belief.
The aborigines of the islands are the
Negritos, a puny, miserable, dwarf
race. AS the Malays swept up through
the archipelago the Negritos were
| driven into the most remote and uncov-
eted parts. Though not of true negro
stock, they are much blacker than the
Malays, and their intelligence is far
lower. The total number is estimated
at $4,000.
Island Of Luzon.
Luzon is the largest, most populous,
most developed, and most civilized Of
the Philippines. 1t has an area Of a.
600 square miles, or over one-third the
whole area Of the archipelago. about
five-eighths Of the whole population,
the only railroad, and the only factor
| les. 1t Is the seat of the capital, and it
| contains fifty times as many foreign
ers as all the rest Of the islands put to-
gether. Luzon is supposed to support
| 5000, 900 Inhabitants. OF these, so per
cent. are civilized to certain extent.
In development, Luzon, though the
most advanced of the Philippines, is
disgracefully backward. There is one
little, badly managed railroad, LOO
miles in length. The highroads, TWEEN
| ty miles inland, are either lacking alto
| gether or are merely trails. There are
| no fat-bottOmed steamers on the larger
rivers, though they could do thriving
business. The sugar mills are operated
by buffalo power. In consequence, par
TALLY exhausted sugar land near Man
lila, or other ports, brings over 500 an
acre, while further back in the coun-
try land third more fertile brings $50
| Manila sprawls over a good deal Of
ground, being built up on both sides Of
the River Pasig, and including rice
fields and other submarine territory.
Its population IL about 100000, which
Is small considering Its area, but large
considering its opportunities. OF this
1
number two-thirds are natives, 10000
Chinese, $4,000 Chinese half breeds,
$4,000 Spanish half-breeds, and 5000
Spanish. Previous to the war the
Americans and English together num-
bered 400. Contrary to general belief.
the city is neither pretty nor unhealthy.
Earthquakes cause houses to be coz
structed broad and squat, with tin
roofs. This prevents beauty, ana II
must be said In the Spaniards' favor
that It II excellently well drained.
which pervents III health. In 1893 cleo
trio light was substituted for OF, and
In the same year an American IRE en-
CINE was brought over. Fires are
common, and blaze started ii I na-
i've shack spreads fast. Nanila's caief