Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 1461

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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 1918 was P.467,597,397, an increase of P.144,784,713 over that for 1917. The exports amounted to P. 270.388,964, of which P.178,293,837 went to the United States. The imports amounted to P.197,198,423, of which P.11,649,222 came from the United States. In 1913 the uncertainty that pre- vailed 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. Since then, however, the external commerce of the Philippine Islands has undergone a trans- formation unparalleled in its history. From 1899 to 1915 the balance of trade was against the Islands to the amount P.37,691,183, but the changing volume of trade left at the close of 1916 a net balance in favour of the Philippines aggregating P.11,260,507. The American troops occupied the City of 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.

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 cit 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 the residences of the wealthy merchants andother residents. Around the walls and the edge of the bay is a fashionable drive lined with almond trees, where the