The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-01-09

pine Islands were reached and taken
possession of In the name OF Spain.
The expedition continued toward
the setting sun and finally after an
absence OF three years dropped anchor
In the port from which IL had set out,
and the world had been circumnaviga-
ted for the first time. The leader OF
daring expedition did not live to see
Its successful completion, but met his
death at the hands of the natives u
these islands. That heros name was
Magellanes, or as we knew 1t In our
school days, Magellan.
The city of Manila was founded
nearly dfty years before the landing of
the Pilgrims at Plymouth, by Legaspl
and the faithful priest who, as in all
Spanish expeditions, accompanied
him. They found the land already
occupied and defended by rude Moor
ish artillery, 30 at the very outset
the site Of Manila was drepched In
blood.
Twenty years later the walls of Ma
Mia were begun and were completed
In 1893. This was notable feat for
those days to complete wall 81 miles
In length, IS to 80 feet thick and, /
should judge, rs to 30 feet In heiRhth
In three years. The district enclosed
is triangular In shape. There are eight
gates guarded by portcullis and draw.
bridge across the moat which sur
rounded the wall. The gates were
closed and guarded each night until
1852. The walls are of heavy masonry
and 1t is believed were built to keep
out Chinese pirates. Over near the
Luneta, the fashionable drive Of the
city, 10 beautiful group of figures cut
In stone and representing the founders
OF Manila
Down at the end Of the Malecon
Drive at the mouth Of the river, there
is another monument that Is sugges-
tive to the student of Manila's his
tory. 1t is the Anda monument.
Twice have Manila's walls failed her.
In 1898 they were powerless to protect
the city from the American forces;
and in 1882 they failed to upset the
British who were at war with Spain.
And one fine morning the Mandates
awoke and saw a great squadron OF
English ships In the harbor. Their
soldiers embarking beyond Malate,
beSieged the city on that side and
coming upon the Spanish in the rear
surprised them completely and the
S ander was the result. They held
1t Tor two years. but it was finally
coded back to Spain, Simon de Anda,
in the meantime, successfully guard
ing the balance OF the island from the
truders. In one corner OF the Santa
Cruz church is a tablet with has
relief which looks very much like our
English friend, Shakespeare, placed
there in memory Of Anda.
There is much of interest in these
old walls and monuments II we could
hut read all they recall and suggest.
T me the monuments of people are
sacred and should not be molested un-
rs the needs OF the present genera
tion absolutely demand 1t. The walls
seem to be one Of the few connecting
links we possess between the distant
past and the hustling, progressive pre-
sent. They seem to be more than
mere stone and mortar aud sand. Ce-
mented in them is the history OF the
country and it's people. 1t is easy to
tear them down but all human effort
could not replace them with their as
sociations.
The walls will be removed no doubt
ere long. Commerce is crying and It's
clamors cannot and should not be dis.
regarded. Sanitary progress will also
demand their removal, as the Shiny,
filthy moat is a constant menace to
health.
The cholera, which has claimed
about hundred Thousand victims In
the islands but IS now confined to a
few scattering cases In few places,
has been difficult proposition in Ma.
Mia, for the town is away back In the
dark ages so far as sanitation is con.
cerned, and In that respect can well be
compared with city of Europe dur
ing the Middle Ages. The site Is fiat
and unhealthfnl and the waterways
filthy beyond description.
Imagine city half the size of De-
troit with no Sc wer system, but inter-
sected by, numerous canals which,
when the tide is out, are practically
empty save for the accumulated mud,
slime and filth of centuries which gen.
crate stencil the peer of anything in
that line on earth; coupled with peo-
pie who are ignorant, who oppose all
measures necessary for their good, and
you have difficult problem. / pre-
sumo there Is not In the whole world
fouler piece of ground than the tide
flats OF the Londo district, and the
penchant OF the genus Filipino for
raw shellfish furnishes about the best
known rapid transit for the busy little
cholera germ.