The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06

K Tor until the sixteenth century did M Europe positively know that the 4 immense Philippine archipelago ex- isted Undoubtedly the nearby countries of Asia had very limited knowledge of these islands but the early history of the Philippines Is shrouded h mystery and hardly anything of an authentic nature is known concerning them. 1t Is generally conceded by all historians that the original inhabitants were of very dark and Inferior race of Malays called Negritos, but many centuries ago the people of the adjacent Asiatic nations took up their abode in the islands. The Chinese in large numbers settled in the Philippines fully thousand years ago and they were later reinforced by the Japanese, Arabs and Hindoos. By inter marriage with the natives a mixed race with babel of tongues resulted and this state of affairs was found by the Spaniards who took possession of the islands early in the sixteenth century. The first reliable information we have of this important group of islands Is given us by the record of the adven- lures of that celebrated Portugese ex- ploror Fernando de Magellan. Although a Portugese by birth. Magellan, in or der to realize his ambitions, swore al- 1egiance to the Spanish crown and through the aid of Charles I succeeded in building a fleet of four vessels namely, the Conception" Santiago Trinidad and San Antonio These ships were launched in sevilla, Spain, and manned with the worst criminals in the nation who were promised their freedom for their services with Magellan. This ar mada set sail on August 19, 1520. On November 27, of the same year, after in- numerable adventures and several hang ings at the yardarms of his vessels of members of his mutinous crews, Ma gellan crossed the straight that immor- talized his name and sailed out upon the broad bosom of the vast Pacific.
 March IF, 1521, they sighted the first land which was named Los Velas Lal mas'' and few days later he and the crews of his fleet landed on the large island of Mindanao. Here the ex- ploror and his men attended mass, con- ducted by his bosom friend, Father Ruy Falero, in honor of the feast of the pentecost, this being the first time that the holy sacrifice was celebrated in the Philippines.
 So Magellan was the first discoverer of the archipelago. althiugh he did not live to reach Luzon the continental island of the group, as on August %, 1921, he received an arrow wound in battle with the natives which caused his dath.
 After the death of Magellan King Charles, encouraged by his discoveries, outfitted several other armadas which were more or less successful During these expeditions several important isl ands were discovered and charted, but it remained for Lagespi in 1864 to discover I,uzon. He was ably assisted by Martin de Govt and his nephew, Capt. Juan de 6alcedo. in the capture of Luzon. Here they had several fierce battles with the large tribe of Batangas and later with the natives of Manila. which was at that time only large village and governed by some Dattos who came from Minda- mao and Borneo. Having lost all these battles the chiefs swore allegiance to the Spanish crown. Legespi took pos- session of Manila and planted the Span- 1sh oolors May 19. 15n.
 With small village as a starting point he founded the city of Manila and made pG it the capital of the islauds. From thiA