1450
THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
exported in a year, except 1908, and the highest value in a year since the American occupation. The total quantity exported to the United States during the year was 94,155 metric tons, valued at $5,495,797, the largest quantity and the greatest value ever shipped to the United States. It is to be expected that with the increased price received for sugar the future production will be greatly increased, but it is not believed that the limit fixed for free export of this commodity into the United States will be reached for several years. The number of cigars exported during the year was 196,592,000, valued at $2,973,630. Of the quantity exported, 83,931,00, valued at $1,906,447, were sent to the United States. The exportation of leaf tobacco was less both in quantity and value than in 1909, the amount exported being 9,896,054 kilos, valued at $1,629,820, as against 10,729,159 kilos, valued at $1,674,033, for the previous year. A small quantity went to the United States, which received none during 1909.
A comparison of the imports, valued at $37,061,925, with the exports, valued at $39,886,852, shows a balance of trade in favour of the Islands of 82,824,927.
The entire commercial intercourse with other countries at all ports was effected by 862 entrances and 872 clearances of vessels, representing an aggregate movement of 3,378,952 registered tons. The value of the inward and outward cargoes amounted to 876,948,777, the greater part of which, that is to say, 73 per cent., was carried by vessels flying the British flag, 9 per cent. by Spanish vessels, 6 per cent. by German, 5 per cent. by American, and 3 per cent. by Japanese vessels.
The policy of the United States towards the Philippines was defined by President Roosevelt in his Message to Congress in December, 1904. "At present," he said, "the Philippine people are utterly incapable of existing in independence at all, or of building up a civilisation of their own. I firmly believe we can help them to rise higher and higher in the scale of civilisation and of capacity for self-government, and most earnestly hope that in the end they will be able to stand, if not entirely alone, yet in some such relation to the United States as Cuba now stands." Under Section 7 of the Act of Congress, approved July 1, 1902, all that part of the Islands not inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes is vested in a Legislature consisting of two Houses-the Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly. The first general election of delegates to the Philippine Assembly was held on March 27th, 1907, and the Hon. W. H. Taft came out to Manila to preside at the first meeting. In a speech delivered by Mr. Taft at Boston before his election to the Presidency he expressed the opinion that the Philippines would not be fit for self-government for one or two generations.
The military force maintained in the Islands amounts to 13,030 white troops of all arms, 5,000 native scouts allied to the white garrison, and 3,000 constabulary, who act as a sort of semi-military police.
MANILA
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the river Pasig, which empties itself into the Bay of Manila, and the city is now held by the forces of the United States. War having been declared between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the former on the 1st May, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter the city was blockaded until the 13th August, when, a military force having arrived, the Americans took possession after an almost unresisted assault.
The city was founded in 1571. In 1645 it was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, in which upwards of three hundred lives were lost. In 1863 a great part of the city was again destroyed from the same cause, and in July, 1880, another terrible upheaval made wreck of a great portion of it. The dwelling-houses are built with especial reference to safety under such circumstances, and, although large, possess few pretensions to architectural beauty. The city is practically divided into two parts, the official or walled city being built on the left bank of the Pasig river, while the commercial city is situated on the island of Binondo, which forms the right bank of the same river. The Escolta the main business street, traverses this suburb, and in it most of the European stores and bazaars are to be found. The Rosario, another broad thoroughfare in Binondo, is occupied chiefly by Chinese shops, and is a busy quarter.