Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-03-04
THfPnIlIPPINE CAPITAL
DIR. EDwORDS WRITES OF THE CITY OF
MANILA.
Quaint Oriental City Built Within High Walls.
Its Population. Location. Commercial
Advantages, Climate. Etc.

Advantages, Climate. Etc.
Manila. p /. Feb 27:-It is not
my intention to describe cities and
towns l visit on this trip unless there
be some special reason therefor. Such
reason exists at Manila, consequently
shall devote this letter to the capital
of the PHILIPPINES Manila is peculiar
in many ways The city proper is
within high walls, built for the
purpose of keeping out the savages
who made periodical attacks on the
Spanish in the early days. In Manila
there is population of IA, 600 people,
,, yet with its suburbs. which are all
under municipal control of the city,,
there are more than 300, 600 people.
When it is remembered that there are
eleven pOpulous suburbs connected
thus with Manila something may be
understood regarding what is often
read about this place. In this respect
Manila may be likened to London.
The city of London is but small
center surrounded by populous suburbs
which have been included in the
municipality.
Manila was founded nearly three
and half centuries ago. and when it
was laid out it was built on plans
laid out with such art that one side
of every street is always in the shade
It has many public squares and num-
erous gardens which are kept we'll
watered By many fountains. Nearly
every street has it own standpipe to
furnish an abundance of water Tele-
phones connect the city with all its
suburbs, and street car line runs
through the principal streets. The
city proper is strongly fortified and
all the houses are built of stone or
brick.
The Pasig river, which flows by the
city walls, is crossed by three magni-
ticent bridges-the Ayala. the Suspen-
sion bridge and the Bridge of Spain
which connect it with the suburbs,
the most important OF which is
lPineasdo. .wbere domestic aud foreign
commerce is centralized. Here arc
many factories and large warehouses.
On wide well-paved streets may be
seen commercial houses of large
dimensions. the Hotel de Oriento, the
Spanish bank. and a splendid type of
church. On the Escolta. which is
the principal street, the people may
be seen every evening taking their
drives. This thoroughfare is broad
and beautiful and presents remark
able scene on holidays when crowds
throng it during the evening.
Nearly all of tie commerce of the
Philippine Islands is carried OH
through Manila, and in its port may
be seen ships from all parts of the
world Steamers leave daily for
various parts of the islands and every
week there is regular Chinese
steamer. In addition to these there
are steamers to the United States by
way of Japan. Ship of modern type
and junk SO ancient that one could
not tell when it was designed are side
by side Native boats ply about the
bay and up the river, and many
Chinese junks and Japanese sampans
are found here also. Wagon roads
and railroad connect Manila with
interior provinces of the island OF
Luzon. and fairly good travel may be
had in every direction. The scenery
is remarkably beautiful as the city is
almost entirely surrounded by
mountain chain which presents some
very picturesque peaks.
Hundreds of volcanoes, most of
them extinct for hundreds of years.
may be seen in all directions. The
almost daily recurrence of earthquakes
indicate that these volcanoes are not
extinct and that they may break out
at any time. Earthquakes are of such
frequent occurrence here and in Japan
that little attention is paid them un-
less they happen to be OF exrraordi-
nary force and duration. As most of
the houses are built of fimsy material.
except commercial and public struct-
ures, there is little danger to be ap-
pretended to come from the shaking
lup.
Manila's climate is oppressive at
certain seasons, and during the rainy
season the streets are flooded and
much difficulty is experienced in get
| ting about unless one hires bOatman.
The streets frequently have two or
three feet of water in them. Heavy
storms which come up suddenly will
transform pleasant driveway. into a
raging torrent in a few minutes.
Owing to the extreme humidity Of the
atmosphere the heat is oppressive at
all times, and there is not the relaxa.
tion Of cool nights which is to be
found in Japan.
! There is splendid hunting in the
provinces which adjoin Manila but as
this sport requires considerable exer-
(tion il is not INDUCED in to any great
extent / shall tell of hunting trip
in my next letter which will give an
L & L. -