Evening star., 1901-11-04
THE ISLAND OF MlNDANAO
CIVIL AND MILITARY JURISDICTION
DESCRIBED.
Information Compiled i'm the Division
of InsuIar Affairs of the
War Department..

From official material compiled in the
division of insular affairs Of the War De-
partment a detailed description has been
prepared concerning the Island of Minda-
mao and its civil and military jurisdiction.
The Island of Mindanao occupies the ex-
treme southeastern corner of the United
States possessions in eastern Asia. The
southeastern angle of the treaty limits lies
but 1O2 nautical miles east-southeast. The
international line of boundary between the
United States and Dutch possessions crosses
the fifth parallel of latitude but twenty
three miles south Of the Sarangani group OF
this island The nearest Dutch island is
Ariaga, the most northern of Carcaralong
group, thirty-seven nautical miles due
south of the Saranganis Of Mindanao In the
Celebes sea.
The mainland of the island is go miles
from north to south and 3S6 from east to
west. A table giving the most important
geographical features shows that Mindanao
has an area of from S,272 to 12,521 square
miles more than given it by various au-
thorities which brings this great island to
within close proximity of the size of Luzon.
The mountain system. more or less AFFECT
ed by volcanoes and earthquakes, has for
its highest elevation the volcano of Apo,
1892 feet and Malindang, $500 feet, the
average of the higher submits ranging be-
tween 5000 and 5000. Its chief river, the
Pulangui or Grande of Mindanao, in length
and volume is of the finest streams in
the archipelago. The Agusan is another
large river. 1t has nine mountain lakes,
the largest twenty-one by twelve miles.
There are also iron and sulphur springs and
thermal waters. celebrated for their cura-
tive qualities It's great bays are among
the largest and best in the Philippines. Its
great intersea channels are lighted. While
roads are scarce it has ample means of
transportation along the coast on its
great rivers. where practically all the towns
and villages are situated Of the former,
12+ range from 500 to 1884 population; of
the latter there are 400
Dependent Islands.
OF the 264 dependent islands. Dinagat is
3S7 square miles in area. about one-third
the size of the state of Rhode Island. 1t
has five other islands with area of from
90 to 100 square miles. Its vegetable prod
ucts exceed in variety and value those of
any of the other islands. In the production
of hemp it stands fifth, but with a larger
percentage of product to population than
elsewhere The famous spices of the east
grow wild and luXurantly, especially cloves,
nutmegs and cinnamon with its valuable
products rice, sugar cane, cotton, cabone-
gro, indigo, coffee tobacco, cocoanut, corn,
sweet potatoes and vegetables.
It's mineral wealth is represented by val
liable deposits of coal, working mines of
gold and reported copper and platinum.
The mineral possibilities of Mindanao are
regarded valuable.
II the production of hemp Mindanao, as
stated. ranks fifth in the archipelago the
shipments being 59,974 piculs q picul equals
1879 L. S. pounds. Among the other veg
etable products of special commercial value
are the famous spices of the east, including
nutmegs, cloves and cinnamon and its Valu-
able products; rice sugar cane, cotton, corn,
hemp, tobacco, indigo, coffee, sweet pota-
fna nr,1,f and fol
grown.
The Islands Minerals.
The minerals are gold, which the natives
In the north use in trade, and coal, an article
of small export. Sulphur, copper and plati-
mum are also reported. The provinces OF
Misamis. Surigao and Cotabato are known
for their mineral wealth The forests are
also valuable. The molave resembling vel
low pine, the valuable teak for shipbuid-
ing, ebony for furniture making, jumpers
and expresses exist in abundance. Gum,
resin, wax and honey-producing trees and
medicinal and dye plants also yield largely.
The natural history Of the islands is in
teresting, there being POI species of birds,
among them the singular horn bill, par
rots, cockatoos, jungle fowls, king fishers,
pigeons, doves, among them the beautiful
red spotted puanlada, monkeys, deer, ca
guang, a combination of monkey and bat,
wild hogs, "iguanas," the giant lizard from
six to seven feet in length, snakes, particu-
ldfly the DOa, ana cfOcOuueS OF great size
The fruit kingdom is also well represent
ed in the pineapple, mangosteen, sapote,
banana, orange, lemon, etc.
Large herds of horses cattle and cara
boas are raised. Owing to the dominant
religion there are but few
hogs, although the forests
abound in the wild variety. There is a
little weaving of hemp and cotton fabrics,
sufficient for home use. The most import
ant industry Is the production and ship
ment of hemp, forest and sea products. The
edible birds nests (Salangane) are gath
cred in large quantities from the caves
along the coasts of the mainland and is
lands
First Military Occupation.
The 23d United States Infantry, detached
from the forces in Sulu, made the first
United States military occupation of Min
danao at Zamboanga, In November 1899.
This was followed by the establishment of
regimental headquarters 31st United States
Infantry, at the same point, the second
battalion at CotabatO and the third at
Davao, during the month of December, 1899.
Stations were established at Polloc Matt,
Parangparang, Baganga, Surigao. Cagayan,
Iligan. Misamis and Dapitan, between that
date and April 4, 1900. From that period
garriSons were stationed at
strategic points and operations were con-
Quoted in the north against hostile insur-
gents and in the south and east for the
purpose of re-establishng order and gov
ernment, to regulate intercourse between
the Flipinos and Moros and to secure and
maintain the confidence and control of the
alien races.
On April 7, 1900 the department of Min
danao and Jolo (Sulu) having been created,
the order taking effect April "a 1900. Min
danao assigned to the first and sec
ond districts.
OF the eight subdivisions of the island.
ftSl1 aic nr16 S11ri iCDn a{y-