Evening journal., 1906-10-31

a I'D Manila with It's FASHIONED and en-
bnttled walls stands on the spot Sc.
" lecied by Legaspi al the mouth OF the
Paslg. II Is not an Inviting site, but STRAIT
egic and commercial considerations amply
justified the determination OF Il IN the
drst days OF the Spanish colony. The
massive stone wallis erected az the close
OF the sixteenth century remain "a
state 6f fcuhtrkahle preservation. and
make Manila lntramuros one OF the
finest examples OF medieval military
architecture existing. Hardly as ancient
bur equally useless with the quaint draw
bridges. were the futile cannon which
alled A9s en7brasiires. "a Like some ecarrod
and efnnVlo1s eArofb0undg the grnnd OH
stronghold stands mennonite OF hrnver
and better days. Stirring deeds are asso-
cinted with the history. and many
time has old Manila upheld the sover-
eighty OF Spain ln Pacific waters These
gray ramparts ttpeiied Chinese and Moro
pirates. Dutch aud Portuguese invaders,
before the British forced them and cap
tured the city. The heavy walls have
withstood with little Injury the many
earthquakes which from time to time
have laid the Interior buildings low
Manila Intramuros IS small and crowd
cd. Its circumference Of somewhat more
than two miles Is bounded by water on
two sides the river and the hay, on the
others a moat. In recent years the un-
sanitary state or the place has suggested
the erusure Of the wallis and moat. The
latter. stagnant and refuse-laden. has
long been a prolific source OF disease.
Fortunately, for archaeological reasons
the American authorities have decided TO
ola
Ing 10 the moat and converting Il into an
extensive nower garden
Old Manila contains the Spanish gov.
ernment ana public buildings. the cathe-
dral and II other churches. number OF
monasteries, converts colleges and slml.
lar ecclesiastical structures a few re-
tail shops and the intermingled residences
OF the rich and poor. So frequent and
disastrous has been the destruction by
earthquake that no ancient building re.
mains IN It's entirety, but as reinsiate.
ment has generally followed original lines.
in the main the tout ensemble Is medieval
and attractive 90 the sendmentnlist The
hygienist. however. win withhold approval
from the narrow streets and congested
dwellings with their lack OF what we
consider ordinary sanitary coaveuiences.
Under the Spaniards Manila Intramuros
was dull. somber place There were
no cafes. theaters or other places OF
entertainment Except for an occasional
military review 10 the square or re-
ligious procession there was nothing tc
relieve the dreary monotouy OF daily life
The early day was spent behind closed
blinds From 10 in the evening so
ciety went calling IN languid and dlgni
fed fashion. Toward sunset all Manns
.-Ifr al ~. x~Ha 80
and IN carriages they circled its ova
course whilst listening to the strains
Of a military band Here also the popu
Ice OF all classes throngcd 10 witness
The public executions. which during the
Iagalog rebellion were OF almost daily
occurrence. The condemned stood lined
against the sea wall to he shot down 10y
platoons OF Spanish Infantry, whilst the
crowd shouted vivas. some IN sympathy
with the Authorities. others in fear Of
them.
The streets OF the city were badly naved
and the sidewalks. overhung by the upper
stories OF the houses. were in many places
too narrow TO admit OF the passage or
two pedestrians abreast. Lamps. supplied
with coconnut oil or kerosene. inadcquate
" served 10 light the thoroughfares but
the police regulations were strict ana
eood order prevailed within the walls
The IRE department. which is now under
ca CHIEF Bonner, one OF the best In the
Enst, was then a very crude Institution
With the most primitive equipment
Flames have frequently destroyed large
portions Of the city.
private residence is seldom more than
TWO stories Ia height. nor. indeed. do the
public buildings often exceed that nlti.
tude. The ground foor OF the former is
always eivcn over to the servants or used
ms eoaehhouse. The residence proper
me second noor. a broad staircase
'e.qs from fhe ground 20 snacious han
e'ien the ra'da. Giving on from his
are me reception aud dining rooms and
extending along The inner sides Of these
'ns ~eeping apartments The kifchen.
/ p7'proom. Ffc- -nre ln-an adjoining YARD