New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-09

perate folk and a fertile soil. But the natives
were a bad lot. drunken. ncentious, idle, ava
ricious and murderous. There had been many
q buses by his predecessors, which he strove 10
REFORM and he seems on the whole TO have done
much for the permanent welfare OF the colony.
During his administration the Diocese of Manila
was founded, and ecclesiastical influence waxed
accordingly. The bishop was Domingo de Sal
azar. who has been called the Las Casas Of the
because OF his interest IN the ma
tives. Upon his arrival he was markedly unpop-
ular owing to his austerity and domineering
ambition. but he presently his way to great
Volume is largely devoted TO him
and his contemporaries in the two years loo2-
80 Jealous and intrepid. he promptly inter-
posed himself between the Spanish and -"
Indians. IN behalf Of the latter. The S"'nish
soldiers had paid little attention TO the remon-
strances Of the friars. but bishop was a more
formidable person. Salazar therefore succeeded
to some extent in amellorating the condition OF
the natives. But at the same time he began the
conflict between civil and ecclesiastical au-
thorlty which continued for centuries and was
productive of much trouble. The Jesuits were
at this time introduced the islands, and soon
gained great power. The Inquisition also was
established. For the sake Of protecting the
Indians the King gave TO the islands an Au-
diencia. or high court of justice, similar to that
In Mexico. Despite all these things, the Indians
Jared badly. They were between two millstones,
the civil and the ecclesiastical powers. SalaZar
reported that slavery. oppression. corruption and
extortion prevailed on every hand The Chinese
in Manila were herded in a sort Of Chinatown"
Taxes were heavy. and there was much destl-
tuition. To this the civil Governor. PenaIosa,
piled that the Church would better look after it's
own work There were not enough missionaries.
4
village He also wanted more revenue. The
customs duty on imports and exports only
per cent. He proposed to raise II to per cent
in the Philippines and 10 Z per cent in the trade
with Mexico He reported increasing trade with
Panama and Peru. and also the need OF admins
tratiVe reform in the islands. especially IN the
matter Of ''saabie Offices" In addition to mar
ratives this volume is rich with descriptive in
formation about the Visayans, their manners
customs and folklore. and the Moros also and
the fora and fauna OF the islands.
The Audiencia, according TO Volume VI
which covers the five years 15S3-'SS took
hold Of matters with the proverbial energy Of
a new broom. One ot its members made an
elaborate report to the King IN the course of
which the question OF the Moros. which IS
troublesome to this day, was much discussed.
What did the King think should be done with
had once been authorized to euslave them.
Would the King approve OF that? Or should
they be treated Spain had treated the Moors d?
Probably the latter strenuous course would have
pleased this member Of the Audencia best, for
he went on TO say that the soldiers were impov-
erished, demoraliZed and insubordnate, and
'for the good OF the services" it was desirable to
proceed 10 some conquests. in which loot
might fill the soldiers purses He also COM
planned that the friars were not converting the
natives fast he thought they should. Per-
haps the reason IS that limited at in the same
volume On Its being reported to the natives
that Spanish soldiers went to Heaven when they
died the natives declined TO become Christians.
because they did not to continue associa-
ton with Spanish soldiers In the next world If
remember Alright, the same sentiment was
once forcibly expressed IN the West Indies
Apparently affairs IN the islands were at this
time going badly. The Governor. Santiago de
Vera. expressed much encouragement. 1t was
impossible TO get money enough out of the
Islands. even by means Of that compulsion which
the natives were said TO enjoy. There was
trouble with Chinese cheap labor also. The
junta Of Manila proposed that no Chinese buck
sters be allowed to ply their trade at ALL and
that all Chinese IN Luzon be required to live
within the city walls. There should. said the
should also have charge Of the Chinese. but be
should not be the royal Governor A new
scheme for the conquest OF China was also
preached by the junta, which the King was
urged 70 adopt at once. The country was to be
conquered by kindness and by missionaries
There should be no ravaging Of the country or
interference with the existing government, but
the missionaries should win the peoples hearts
and persuade the Emperor to become a loyal
vassal OF the King of Spain. Pending that the
King issued a decree prohibiting the importa-
ton Of Chinese goods into the Philippines which
decree the Governor at once suspended on the
ground that It would be runous to commerce.
The four years. 1JSS-91, dealt with in the
seventh volume were particularly important &c
the islands. The Audiencia suppressed and
the royal Governor was ordered to fill its place
himself. and 10 effect the reforms which the peo-
pie had demanded through the Jesuit Sanchez
who had gone TO Spain as their informal envoy
This marked the beginning of a more bitter
rivalry between the civil and ecclesiastical
authorities. The bone OF chief contention was
| the collection OF tribute from the natives botf
bishop and Governor wanting to control the
process. Each criticised the other with no little
bitterness. and the bishop declared that all The
evils which came upon the Spaniards-and they
| were many-were punishments sent from HEAVIER
| for their oppression Of the Indians. Vera re.
| torted that the friars and priests were neglect
| ing their work. and asked the King to restrain
| the arrogance OF the bishop. The outcome o.
! the controversy was that Vera presently re
called and Gomez Perez Dasmarinas was made
Governor in his place But under his admin
| istraton the controversy with the bishop wen
! on. The bishop was made Protector OF the Ind
| ians" and in that capacity often FLASHED witt
| the civil and military authorities In this vol
| ume there also many interesting details