The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-02
THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO
a Description Of Its Provinces Is
sued by the War Department.
Their Total Population Less Than
Half "a million, While They En-
brace Many Thousands Of square
MfIcS-Nery Fine Farming Lands.


MiIes-Very Fine Farming Lands.
From official material compiled in the
Division of InsuIar Affairs of the War
Department an abstract has been prepared
concerning the Island of Miudauao and
its civil and military jurisdiction. The
island occupies the extreme southeastern
corner of the United States possessions
in Eastern Asia. The southeastern angle
OF the treaty limits lies but 1o- uautican
miles tast-sOuthtast. The international
line OF boundary between the United
States and Dutch possessions crosses the
fifth parallel of latitude but tweuty-thrce
miles south Of the Sarangani group of
this island. The nearest Dutch island is
AriaEa. the most northern of the Carcara-
long group thirty-sevcn tuauticaD miles
due south Of the Sarangauis of Alindanao,
in the Celebes Sea.
The mainland OF the island is go miles
from north to south. and 3S6 from east TO
west The following gives the most i'm
portaHt geographical features of IN,
eight provinces:
Province Of Basilan-CapitaI, Isabella
de BasiIan: area, 354 square miles. popuIa-
ton, 5000. Province of Cotabato-CapitaI
Cotabata; area, S.544 square miles, popu-
laron 4l43. Province Of Dapitan-CapitaI
A'elt'lt~A44 ltds arf'' square miles, RflA-
latIon. 2o273. Province Of Davao-Capital
Davao; area. 91U square miles. popuIa-
tion. S3.G6S- Province Of Lanao-Area. p
$50 square miles; population. 10000. PROV
tnCe of Misamis-Capital Mis9mis, area.
5.Ss9 square miles; population. I26.9R.
Province Of Surigao-Capital, Surigao,
area, 1901 square miles; population. So
rs. Province Of lambda nga-CapitaI.
Zamboauga: area, 1886 square miles pop
ulation. HIS
All the provinces except Misamis and
SurigaO are under military control The
total population Of the island Of Ninda-
mao is 495.659. There are a64 dependent
islands.
The above figures carefully computed
from reliable data, shows that Mindanoa
has an area Of from S, 272 to 12,52I square
miles more than given 1t by various au-
thorities, which brings this great island
TO within close proximity of the size OF
Luzon.
The mountain system, more or less az
fected by volcanoes and earthquakes.
has for its highest elevation. the volcano
OF Apo. l0.3l2 feet. and Malindang $500
feet, the average Of the higher SUBMITS
ranging between 1900 and SEQ feet Its
chief river. the PuIangui or Grande Of
Mindanao. in length and volume IS one
OF the finest streams in the Archipelago.
The Agusan is another large river. II has
nine mountain lakes, the largest twenty
one by twelve miles.
There are also iron and sulphur springs
and Thermal waters. celebrated for their
curative qualities Its great bays are
among the largest and best in the Phil
ipines Its great inter-sea channels are
lighted While roads are scarce. it has
annie means n rravert0rr q fT,r, aTor.r tb1
coast or on its great river where prac-
ucally all the towns and villages are sit
mated OF the former. I24 range from 500
10 1854 population. OF the latter. there
are 40 OF the % dependent islands.
Dinagat is 3S7 square miles in area. about
one-third Of the size OF the State Of Rhode
Island, IL has five other islands with an
area from 80 TO 100 square miles. Its
vegetable products 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
20 population than elsewhere. The fam
Gus spices Of the East grow wild and lux
uriantly, especially cloves. nutmegs. and
cinnamon. with its valuable products.
rice, sugar cane, cotton, cabonegro. fndi-
go, coffee. tobacco. cocoauut. corn. sweet
potatoes and vegetables.
Its mineral wealth is represented by val
liable deposits OF coal working mines OF
gold. and reported copper and platinum.
The mineral possibilities OF Miudanao are
regarded as valuable.
IL the production Of hemp AIinlanaO
as stated. ranks NTH in the ArChiuoIago
the shipments being 50 g14 picuIs Gs7 H.
;. pounds piCuD. Among the other
vegetable products Of special commercial
value are the famous spices Of the East.
lhcludlug nutmeEs. cloves, and cinnamon
ana Its valuable product. Rice. sugar.
cane, cotton, corn. hemp, tobacco indigo
coffee, sweet potatoes. cOcOanut and vegC-
tables are also grown.
The minerals are gold. which the ma
uNeS IN the north use in trade. and coal
an article Of small export Sulphur, cop
Per, ana platinum are also reported. The
provinces Of MiSamis. Surigao and Gotta
batC are known for their mineral wealth
The forests are also valuable. The mOlave
resembling yellow pine. the valuable teak
Cor ShlDDuildluE. ebony for furniture max
iEg- jumpers and expresses exist in album
dance Cum. resin, wax and hoEev-prO-
also yield largely
The natural history Of the island is in
t6TeEuHg- there being 3G species If birds
among them the singular horn dill. par
rots, cuCkatOOs. jungle fowls. king fishers
pigeons. doves. among them the beautiful
RED spotted Puaulada. monkeys. deer ca
guang, a combination Of monkey ana bat
Wild hogs, 'lEuauaS." the giant lizard
from six 10 seven feet lu length. snakes.
particularly the boa, and crocodiles Of
The fruit kingdom is also well repre-
scented I'm the pineapple. manRosteen. sa-
pOte, banana. orange lemon. etc Large
herds Of horses. cattle. and carab0as are
raised Owing 20 the dominant Mohan-
medau religion there are but few domcs-
tcated hogs. although the forests abound
IN the Wild variety. There is a little
weaving or hemp and cotton fabrics suf-
ftcieut for home use The most import
ant industry is the production and ship
ment Of hemp, forest and sea products
The edible birds nests GSalaugancl are
gathered in large quantities from the
caves along the coasts Of the mainland
and islands.
The Tweuty-third United States Infant
~. detached from the forces in Sulu.
made the first United States military oc-
CupatiOn Of MiudanaO at n nboanga In
establis hmCnt Of regimcutal headQuar-
tiers. ThiTty-first United States Infantry,
at the same point. the second battalion
at CatabatO. and the third at DavaO, dur
ing the month Of December. 1899 Stations
were eSta blished AT Police Matt PaTaug-
paraug Bagauga, Surigao. Cagayan III
gan. Misamis. and Dapitau. between that
dated and April 1890 From that period
subordinate EarrisOns were stationed at
strategic points and operations we're con
Quoted I'm the north against hostile iusur-
gents and In the south and east for the
purpose Of re-cstahlishiug order and gov
eminent 20 regulate intercourse between
the FIIpIuos and MorOs and 10 secure
ard maintain the confidence and control
Of the alien races on April e 1900 the.
Department Of MindauaO and JolO tSulul,
having been created. the order taking ef-
feet April .. 1900. MindanaO was assigned
u the First and Second districts.
Great Prosperity.
rFr0u the Chicago NeWs.J