ZAMBOANGA
Zamboanga is located on the south-western extremity of Mindanao Island in latitude 6 deg. 55 min. north and longitude 122 deg. 5 min. east, being 512 nautical miles south of Manila. It has a population of about 30,798, and, in volume of business, takes fifth place among the open ports of the Philippines, coming after Manila, Iloilo, Cebu and Legaspi. It is situated in a country noted for copra, lumber and hemp production, has excellent shipping facilities, and is the ideal transhipping point for all products of southern Mindanao and Sulu. The harbour is partially protected by two small islands and is never visited by severe storms, as it is south of the typhoon belt. It has a good anchorage for steamers of any size, and the wharf will accommodate steamers drawing 25 feet. The climate is characterized by a remarkable evenness of temperature and a comparatively small rainfall which increases rapidly as one goes a few miles from Zamboanga in any direction.
Communication with other ports is assured by inter-island steamers. Overseas Steamship Lines making regular calls at Zamboanga are as follows:- Ocean and Oriental Navigation Co., Tacoma Oriental S.S. Co., State S.S. Co. and Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Japan-Philippine Line) - twicely monthly, Isthmian S.S. Line and Dollar Steamship Line (Freighters) once a month, and bi-weekly steamers of the Straits Steamship Company with Sandakan, Borneo, and Singapore. Telegraphic communi- cation with various parts of the Archipelago is secured by a wireless station connecting with cables and land lines.
Zamboanga was founded by the Spaniards in April, 1635, for the purpose of inter- cepting Moro corsair fleets which were accustomed to pass the Strait of Basilan from southern Mindanao to the Visayan Islands. The town was repeatedly attacked by the Moros. In 1646, it exchanged shots with a Dutch fleet and, in 1798, maintained an all- day bombardment with an English squadron. In 1872, for putting down a mutiny of prisoners, Zamboanga was granted by the Madrid Government the title "Loyal and Valiant Town." On May 10th, 1899, the revolutionists attacked the Spanish garrison in Zamboanga, which withdrew on May 24th. The town was burned during the hostilities. During the summer of 1899, the Republic of Zamboanga was in full control, but the town was finally surrendered to the American blockading squadron without bloodshed on November 16th of the same year.
Zamboanga is the capital of the province of the same name. The town, though small, is one of the most beautiful, not only of the Philippines but of the Far East. It is characterised by shady streets and possesses very fine parks and exquisite gardens. There is a drastic building ordinance in force which provides that all buildings erected in the central portion must be of reinforced concrete or other equally fire-proof material with an 8-inch firewall every 100 feet. Good roads extend along the coast in either direction from the town.
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA Governor-Agustin L. Alvarez Treasurer-N. Valderrosa
DIRECTORY
Member, Prov'l. Board-Carlos Camins Secretary, do. --Gregorio Ledesma Judge, Court of 1st Inst❜ce.-A. Horrilleno Auxiliary Judge, Court of 1st Instance-
Sabino Padilla
Provincial Fiscal-Jose Evangelista Provincial Auditor-Luis O. Tap District Engineer-Saturnino Lopez
District Health Officer-Dr. D. Lacuna Collector of Customs-Marcelo Mendoza Divisional Supt. of Schools-Raymond H.
Steffens
Senator-Hadji Butu
Representative-Tabujor Taupan Deputy Governors - Gabino P. Cuevas
Veronico Olvis, Holmo Akil, Camilo Fargas, Filomeno Arquiza, Pantaleon L. Banos and Lieut. F. Padayhag, P.C. (Lamitan Penal Colony)