Directory_and_Chronicle_1917 — Page 1564

THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA

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has been conservative and constructive and has done much to restore and strengthen business confidence.

From a proportion of slightly over 5 per cent. of the total trade in manufactures of cotton in 1904, the American product supplies 53.49 per cent. of the present local demand. This development has been fostered by the free entry provisions of the Philippine Tariff Law of 1909.

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. But with the return of the Democratic Party to power in the United States, steps have been taken with a view to meeting the aspirations of the Filipinos at a much earlier date. When Mr. Burton Harrison arrived at Manila on October 6th, 1913, to succeed Mr. Cameron Forbes, as Governor-General of the Islands, he brought with him a message from President Wilson, on behalf of the Government of the United States, in the following terms: "We regard ourselves as trustees acting not for the advantage of the United States, but for the benefit of the people of the Philippine Islands. Every step we take will be taken with a view to the ultimate independence of the islands, and as a preparation for that independence, and we hope to move towards that end as rapidly as the safety and the permanent interests of the islands will permit. After each step taken experience will guide as to the next. The administration will take one step at once and will give to the native citizens of the Islands a majority in the appointive commission, and thus in the upper as well as in the lower house of the legislature a majority representation will be secured to them. We do this in the confident hope and expectation that immediate proof will be given, in the action of the commission under the new arrangement, of the political capacity of those native citizens who have already come forward to represent and to lead their people in affairs." Effect was promptly given to this message so far as the constitution of the Philippine Commission is concerned. Many changes have been made in the personnel of the officials in the Governinent service, and in niany branches of the administration natives of the Islands are filling important positions.

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. 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 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 the residences of the wealthy merchants and other residents. Around the walls and the edge of the bay is a fashionable drive lined with almond trees, where the well-to-do inhabitants walk, drive, and meet their friends. The streets present the greatest animation in the evening when the government offices, business houses and cigar factories are closed and the automobiles and carriages of the upper classes are out for the customary promenade. There are several ancient churches which are worthy of