Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 1460

THE PHILIPPINES

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properties. The famous "Holy Waters" of Tiwi and Sibul are visited every year in large numbers by the islanders seeking relief from their sufferings.

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The rivers and streams of the Philippines are countless and traverse the islands in all directions, the natural result of mountain peaks and ranges that extend over a large area. The most noteworthy volcanoes are Buheyan in Mindanao, Taal in Batangas, and Bulusan and Mayon in Albay. The last is in continual eruption and at times creates terror in the surrounding country on account of the quantity of boiling water, ashes, and lava it throws out. In 1872 an eruption of this volcano destroyed entirely the villages of Malinao, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Polangui, and Albay.

Dr. Augustin de la Cavada, a Spanish historian, says of the natives, and he is generally confirmed by American writers, that they are of a mild, submissive, and respectful disposition, predisposed to religious observances, extremely superstitious, and very hospitable. Those of Batangas, Cagayan, and Southern Ilocos are better workers and more industrious than those of the other Provinces. During their youth they work with energy and a certain intellectual vigour, but on reaching a more advanced age they lose a part of their disposition for work and lapse into an indolence that is one of their greatest defects. The women are averse to idleness and have a spirit of enterprise, and they often engage in various trades with success.

The United States has done magnificent work in the island in all departments of the administration and the record of American control is one of substantial progress in every direction. The United States is giving the growing generation a sound, practical education in a common language, and is training the youths as artisans and farmers as well as offering them a chance for the professions. Under efficient tutelage the young women are learning domestic science, nursing and other helpful pursuits, while a corps of competent native teachers is being turned out by the normal school of Manila aud is fast relieving the American contingent of the burden of the primary courses. Some idea of the requirements of hygiene and sanitation is filtering into the minds of the people while the instruction and careful supervision of American health officials, aided by Filipino workers, has reduced mortality and improved general health conditions in a surprising measure. The U. S. Governinent has built roads and bridges, improved waterways, constructed wharves and carried out an elaborate scheme of harbour improvement at the principal ports, as well as arranging for the building of railroads on the important islands, all of which has stimulated industry by providing better facilities for communication and the marketing of products. A wireless station was opened at Cavite in 1917 connecting with the United States via Guam and Honolulu. There are two railroad companies owning and operating lines in the Philippines. The Manila Railroad Company was in existence at the time of American occupation but since that time its lines have been considerably extended. Its headquarters are in Manila and from this city lines totalling 1,000 kilometers extend both north and south on the Island of Luzon. The Philippine Government has purchased the stock of this Company and, although the corporate form is continued, it is now in fact a Govern- ment institution. The Philippine Railway Company has 210 kilometers of lines on the islands of Panay and Cebu. These were constructed after American occupation by a Company the headquarters of which are in New York City. The following is a statement of first, second and third class roads, together with the number of bridges and culverts, constructed in the Philippine Islands: first class roads, 2,300 miles; second class roads, 1,200 miles; third class roads 2,109 miles. Total bridges and culverts of steel, concrete, brick, etc., 7,370. The total expenditure (in United States currency) on road and bridge work is as follows:-1911 (fiscal year) $2,275,866; 1912, $2,273,354; 1913, $2,685,245; 1914 (calendar year) $2,826,000; 1915, $2,936,000; 1916, $2,960,000; 1917, $3,074,000.

Though the trade of the islands has greatly increased during the years of American control, there is still much to contend with. Lack of capital is the most serious, although the training of the labour of the Islands is a slow procedure. But the population is ample to ensure development of the resources and industries to many times their present extent. An enormous increase has been noticeable in exports to and imports from the United States, while the trade with most foreign countries has diminished. This is due mainly to the reciprocal trade relations existing between the United States and the Philippines provided for by the law of Congress of 1909 which permits United States products to enter the Islands free of duty and vice versa.

The Military force maintained in the Islands amounts to a small contingent of American troops of all arms, about 5,500 native scouts allied to the white garrison, and 5,500 constabulary. The constabulary is a semi-military organization enlisted for the

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