PHILIPPINE ISLANDS-MANILA
PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY
GENERAL STAFF-HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT Commanding General-Major General Fred W. Sladen Aide-First Lieutenant Joseph A. Cranston, jr.
Chief of Staff Charles D. Herron
Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel-Major Pearl L. Thomas
Do.
Do.
Do.
Military Intelligence-Major Jolin K. Boles Operations and Training-Major Edwin N. Hardy Supply-Major John H. Pirie
Adjutant-Colonel Julius T. Conrad
Inspector-Colonel Fred T. Austin
Judge Advocate-Lieut. Colonel William A. Graham Quartermaster-Colonel William G. Gambrill Surgeon-Colonel Thomas L. Rhoads Engineer-Lieutenant-Colonel Max C. Tyler Ordnance-Lieutenant-Colonel Odus C. Horney Signal Corps-Major Louis B. Bender Air-Major William B. Duty
Chemical Warfare-Major Adelno Gibson Finance-Colonel Edwin A. Hickman
MANILA
1231
Manila, the capital and the largest city of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the Pasig River, which practically divides it into two parts and empties into Manila Bay. The city is almost in the centre of the archipelago. It is distant two days by sea from Hongkong, four days from Nagasaki, five from Shanghai, and 17 to 28 days from San Francisco Seattle, according to the varying speed of the different vessels on the run.
The city of Manila was founded by Legaspi on June 24th, 1571. The erection of the fortifications around the present Walled City (Intramuros) was begun about 1590, In 1645, 1863 and 1880 the city suffered considerable damage from earthquakes. The first newspaper was published in Manila in 1811. The port was opened to the commerce of the world in 1834, and the railroad line to Dagupan was completed in 1891. War having been declared between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the former on May 1st, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter Manila was blockaded until August 13th, when, a military force having arrived, the Americans took possession of the city.
Manila is the leading centre of foreign and domestic commerce as well as the principal port of the Islands. The bulk of the imports and the exports of the country passes through this port. Foreign corporations engaged in business in the Islands have their main offices and storehouses in Manila, whence branches are established in other local trade centres,
The harbour of Manila is almost landlocked, and its deep anchorage basin is protected by a semi-circular stone breakwater. Four piers with modern cargo- handling equipment project into the harbour. The first is reserved for the use of the United States Army. The second, 600 feet long, is capable of stowing about 5,000 tons net. The third, which is 650 feet in length, has a stowing capacity of about 9,000 tons. The fourth pier has about four times the cargo capacity of the third and a berthing capacity sufficient to accommodate four of the largest type of ships at one time.