Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-06-01

The natives of the northern islands
are called Tagalos. They are the small
est and least brave, but also most
and always have been reckoned as the
poorest fighters; have always been
most completely under SPANS domina-
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 ap!
to push them little far. The sharply
drawn distinction between the Taga-
los and the Visayoss Is not justified.
The Moros or Mohammedan Malays
aggregate less than a 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 q 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 ce-
ligious belief.
The aborigines of the islands are the
Negritos, 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
lewer. The total number is estimated
at $4,000. 81, ss.,s s.. a.ef
Island of Luzon.
Luzon Is the largest, most populous,
most developed, and most civilized Of
the Philippines. 1t has an area of A.
900 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
5,0O0,0 Inhabitants. OF these, 80 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, 100
miles in length. The highroads, TWEEN
ty miles inland, are either lacking alto
gether or are merely trails. There are
no fiat-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
liza, or other ports, brings over 800 an
acre, while further back in the coun-
try land a 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 Is about 100000, which
Is small considering its area, but large
considering It's opportunities. OF this
number two-thirds are natives, 10000
Chinese, $4,000 Chinese half-breeds,
1900 Spanish half-breeds,s 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 con
structed broad and squat, with tin
roofs, This prevents beauty, and it
must be said In the Spaniards' favor
that It Is ,excellently well drained,
which pervents Ill health. In 1893 cleo
trio light was substituted for oil, and
In the same year an American fire en-
CINE was brought over. Fires are
common, and a blaze started in a ma
tivs ahack spreads fast. Manila's cnief