The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-03-16
IN UNBIASED ESTIMATE
The Philippine Islands and Their
Inhabitants
AS Seen by Hon. John Barrett IN 1907
The People Were Not Ali
5arbarlans Then.

From the Review Of Reviews for
March 1877, we clip the following ex.
tracts from an article by Hon John
Barrett, United States Minister to Siam,
entitled the "The Cuba OF the Far
East"
II IL Of interest now more particularly
~ showing an estimate Of the Filpinos
by an able and unbiased observer, made
before any question Of acquiring the is
lands had arisen 10 bias the judgment Of
Americans, or furnish motive for mis-.
representation. MIR. Barrett says:
"Cuba is the richest island of the
West Indies; the Philippines are the
most resourceiul Of the East Indies.
rhey lie respectively to the southeast Of
the continents Of North America and
Asia, with which they maintain close
commercial relations. Both are located
IN the tropical zone and both have like
products. After the famous Manila
hrmp, the greatest wealth of the Phil
irpines is in sugar.
"Mhile Cuban tobacco in the shape Of
fragrant llavanas rules the market uf the
new world, the Manila cigars supply the
demand Of the old world. The United
states buys the major portion Of
Cuba's exports aud goodly portion Of
those Of the Philippines. Both possess
inexhaustible and varied resources,
which at present are only partially de.
veloped."
The Asiatc group Of islands, accord
ing to The best auth ,rities, is the richest
archipelago in the world, containing not
less than 900 separate islands
"a few figures will assist in giving an
accurate idea Of the Philippines. The
area Of the entire group nearly equals
that Of California or japan, being vuri-
Ously estimated from 1000 to 10000
s Iuare miles. The principal island,
Luznn, is approximately equal in area
10 Illinois, or about 81 OOO square miles.
The total population is slightly in excess
OF that OF New York state, and now
7,OOO,0O0. In this connection /
il can be noted that Luzon alone exceeds
Cuba in area by l40U0 square miles, aud
has over double the population. The
second largest island is Mindanao. This
Is TO the south. aud occupies nearly the
same area as West Virginia, or 2l,0O0
'lu are miles.
PHILIPPINE CIVILIZATION.
"Were | asked to name the chief char
ncteris,ic Of the Philippine islands-a ter
aud iyphoons-l would at
once suggest the power a;.d hold Of the
,cclesiastics. This makes the first and
last impression on the visitor; it is be-
fore him wherever he travels IL visibly
in the government aud
even extends into commerce; II is an
all controlling influence in the Philip
pine group II at fret one is prjudccd
against IL the feeling IN measure van.
ishrs and even turns intoadmiralion.
"a marked result 0t the influence OF
the church is that The inhabitants Of the
Philippines are Chr tian-a condition
which stands out in decided contrast TO
other lands of Asia. From one end OF
Luzon to the other, few, / any, Pagan
temples can he seen lifting their pag.das
and pinnaclcs 10 the ky.
"lt is q mistake TO suppose that the
Philippines are the home Of barbarlc,
uncyillzrd tribes. Manila WAS the seat
OF colleges. observatorics AMI technical
schools before Chicago was fvu -drdi
roads 10 all POINTS Of the compass had
been constructed 10y the iriars in Lnzon
before there WAS q paved street IN the
vicinity OF the site OF franklin Square in
New York city, aud devoted padres had
carried the gRpel to the heart OF the
tropical jungle before the Pilgrim Faith
ers landed al Plymouth ROck.
Except ia Wild portions Of the inte-
riur and in distant unexplOited islands
considerable pro- Orlion Of the inhabi'
tsnts can read and write. Spanish is
the language OF the more advanced
Glasses, While a 'pidgIn' Spanish is
spuken 10y tie uneducatrd. There is no
native tongue, hut II variety Of dialects,
OF which the principal are the lagalese
aud Visayan. Tie schools are exclu-
siyely ia the hands OF the church, aud
appear TO he ell conducted. la Manila
are colleges with advanced curriculuns
and modern facilities. Of the several
millions OF people in Luzon, not over
hali million are beyond the absolute
control Of the priests, whose efforts TO
preserve order are so respected HAT law'
l-ssness is seidnnI displayed within Tie
sphere Of their influence. Numbering
nearly 5000, they include many men oi
great ability, noble character and vide
knowledge; the msiorily are faithful to
thrirNows, and the lew who backslide
are usually OF mixed blood or natives.
MATERIAL RESOURCES.
"In material wealth the Philippines
ave layishly blessed. Hemp, gar aud
tobacco are three products that bring
enormous profits, and coffee bids fair 10
tJ ,h..,, In ISy4 the hemp