The Washington times., 1901-09-02
THE PROVINCE OF ALBAY.
TIL Hemp Producing District of
the Philippine Islands.
Interesting Information Concerning
Our New Possessions Compiled by
War observation-disclosures Popuia-
tion, Topography, and Industries.

war Department has prepared from Of
ficial reports an interesting account OF
the province of Albay, which, in part
occupies the narrow neck of land con-
| meeting the province of Sorsogon in the
extreme southeast with the remainder OF
the Island of Luzon. The province has
an area of s99 square miles. exclusive OF
dependent islands. and has population
of 1876, ,129.
The country. aside from its agricultural
and commercial importance. has excep-
tionaI interest from a scientific point OF
view. Near its eastern seashore, out OF
an expansive plain. rises the volcano OF
| Mayon, or Albay, to an elevation of s,50l
feet. 1t is constantly crowned with a
plume-like halo of vapor which is visible
for miles at sea. The summit of Masar-
aga, another mountain, reaches an eleva-
ton of SPA feet.
The maya River traverses the province
from southeast to northwest, emptying
into Lake Bato, a beautiful body OF
water, four miles in diameter on the
northwestern boundary. In the north
eastern part of the province are some of
the most re emarkable thermal springs in
the world. particularly the hot springs
of Igabo and the stalactite springs of
Naglebcng. Scientists who have visited
them refer to similar examples in iceland
and New Zealand, but the springs of
Tibi. which is the general name for this
group they report are more varied and
beautiful. The bays of Tabaco and Albay
on the east coast are capable of affording
shelter to a large fleet of vessels engaged
in the important trade of the region.
The province. contains twenty-three
towns and 80 villages. Among the former
is Albay, the capital. about one and one
fourth miles inland from the bay of the
same name. 1t is well built. with a
church, town hall, parochial residence.
and many other well constructed houses,
and has a population of 1900 in the
eruption of Mayon volcsi.o in 1914 the
old town was seriously damaged, which
led to change to a site protected by
hills. 'Legaspi port of entry. telegraph
station, garrisoned town, and the port of
Albay, although having but $3.50 popula-
tion. is one of the most important hemp
shipping ports in the Philippines. 1t
shares this trade with Tabaco. which lies
about eleven miles distant, and has a
population of B,000 Inhabitants. The lat
ter town is also a port of entry and has
United States garrison.
Camalig. an inland garrisoned town on
the maya River, has a population of
15,s53 inhabitants. Guinobatan, on the
same river nine miles northwest of AL
bay. has population of 20.414. and is sur
rounded by one of the most productive
hemp districts in the islands. The town
of Oas, on the right bank of the maya
River, and on the main road between
Ligao and Polanqui, with Il population
of 15,9S1. commands an extensive river
trade, particularly in the product of the
fine hemp plantations in the vicinity.
of the east coast of the province lies
a chain of four islands with an aggregate
area of ninety-eigt square miles. Three
of these, Cacraray. Batan, and Rapu
Rapu, are celebrated for valuable mines
of coal. which are being worked. The
quality of coal for steaming purposes is
reported as equal to the Australian arti-
Gle. 1t is expected that scientific inves-
tigation and American enterprise will
make the output a valuable commercial
acquisition to the important natural
wealth of this province.
The chief product for which the prov
ince OF Albay has won celebrity is abaca
known to commerce as Manila hemp.
a species of wild plantain and special
product of the Philippine Islands. The
production of Manila hemp in the hemp
districts Of the Philippine Islands of the
United States is not likely to be threaten
ed by outside competition or overproduc-
ton.
The province of Albay ranks first among
what are known as the hemp districts of
Luzon. The total quantity and value of ex-
ports of hemp from the Philippine Islands
during the calendar year 1899. was 69,0iS
tons. valued at s7,993,57i, or SIG per ton,
nd frr .11a- col. I.,r
valued at s13. go 100, or s149 per ton. OF
this aggregate the province of Albay. in
1888, contributed to the export movement
1896 piculs, or 1855 tons, at Sll6 per
ton, valued at Sl,923, 500. The home hemp
in the manufacture of lupis,
cordage, etc, for native use In
the arts and shipping must also have been
ing abaca into lupis, the fine textile used
m the wearing apparel of the better class
OF women, and into sinamav. a coarser
fabric used by the natives in general.
The sails and cordage of native craft and
wine in baling are of home manufacture.
There Is also large production of oil
from the cocoanut.
The building of native vessels used in
the extensive carrying and other coast
wise trade is an important industry of
Albay. There are several Shipyards at
The important towns of Legaspi and Tab
AGO, and other points where considerable
native capital and enterprise are engaged
in casco building and repairing. The
;oastNise trade of the province is largely
Engaged in the transportation Of the enor-
nous hemp yield from the numerous vii |
ages along the shores of the great bays
IN the coast, to the seaports from which |
steamer shipments are made to Manila or
iirect TO foreign ports by the great carry
ng corporations of the Orient.
The declivities of the lofty submits of |
Mayon, Masaraga. and Maiinao and the |
sastern coast range show indications of
mineral deposits of coal. gold. silver. and |
ron IN large quantities. The mining OF |
,oal has grown to some dimensions. The |
presence Of abandoned mines of quickSil |
'er indicates the existence of that rare |
md valuable metal.
The province abounds in valuable woods |
suitable for shipbuilding. dyeing, and
,ther economic purposes. The necessity, |
loweVer, of the presence of large forest |
rees as "A protection to the hemp plant |
rom the sun renders forest preservation
industry of the province. Island fruits
bound and constitute an important item
# food among the natives.
In January. 1900. after the close of the
in Luzon. General Kobbe, at
he head Of an expedition, took charge of
his province. driving the insurgents out
md establishing garrisons. Since that
ime the Government has been entirely
peaceful.
on April 26. 1891. under the Provincial
act, the Philippine Com
mission established civil government in
his province. with the following officers, |
Who draw the annual salaries set against
hem: Provincial governor, &GU0; sec
etary. $1,000; treasurer, bond $4,000 till
March. 1902, subject to renewal, S2,5oJ;
upervisor, 81. coo; fiscal, $3.50.
All provincial officers are allowed nee
ssary and actual travelling expenses, not
xceeding $3.50 per day, while absent from
he capital of the province on official
usness to be allowed by the provincial
ufd Of ha rl |