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THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA
purpose of keeping law and order throughout the Islands and is composed of natives, officered in part by Americans.
The total trade of the Islands for the calendar year 1917 in U.S. currency was. $161,401,000. The exports amounted to $95,604,000 of which $63,235,000 went to the United States. The imports amounted to $65,797,000 of which $37,621,000 came from the United States. In 1913 the uncertainty that prevailed as to the policy to be adopted by the United States with regard to the control of the Islands caused a general lack of confidence in commercial circles, and there was a consequent disinclination to extend commercial or industrial undertakings. Business conditions improved in the early part of 1914, but were again depressed by the outbreak of war in Europe. Since then they have been improving consistently.
The American troops occupied the City Manila on August 13, 1898. From that date until the outbreak of the insurrection in February, 1899, the American forces were in Manila and Cavite only, outposts being located at various points surrounding Manila. The military form of government was maintained until 1901 when affairs were placed. in the hands of the United States Philippine Commission of which ex-President Taft was the first head. This Commission organized civil government throughout the Islands and the constructive work that it accomplished will always stand out among the great achievements of colonial government. The policy of the government of the United States has from the beginning been to confer upon the people as great powers. as was deemed safe and in their best interests. In 1908 the first Philippine Assembly elected by the people was organized and made to constitute the lower house of the legislature, the Commission continuing as the upper house. In 1916, pursuant to the provisions of the so-called "Jones Law" a senate was elected and the name of the Assembly was changed to House of Representatives, the two bodies making the first complete Philippine Legislature. Officers appointed by the United States government are the governor-general, the vice-governor (also secretary of Public Instruction), the auditor and the members of the Supreme Court.
It is generally conceded that the Islands have as great a degree of autonomy as it will be advisable for them to receive for a number of years to come. The responsible element of the people seem to accept this and the thought of all is concentrated on plans to attract capital to the Islands for the purpose of developing their potential
resources.
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. It is distant two days by sea from Hongkong, four days from Nagasaki, five from Shanghai and seventeen to twenty-eight from San Francisco or Seattle according to the varying speeds of the different vessels on the run. 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 by the river Pasig which flows through it. The Escolta, which traverses the island of Binondo, on the right bank of the river, is the main business street, and in it most of the American and 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. San Miguel, Ermita and Malate are the aristocratic suburbs, being the seat of