Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 1557

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PHILIPPINE ISLANDS-MANILA

SURIGAO-Eusebio Tionko

TARLAC Benigno S. Aquino and Luis Morales

TAYABAS (Marinduque included)-Fabian R. Millar and Ricardo Paris ZAMBALES-Guillermo F. Pablo

JUDICIARY

SUPREME COURT

Chief Justice-Victorino Mapa

Justices--E. Finley Johnson, Manuel Araullo, Tho nas A. Street, George

A. Malcolm, Ramon Avanceña and Ignacio Villa :nor (two vacancies)

MANILA

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 seventeen to twenty-eight days from San Francisco or Seattle, according to the varying speed of the different vessels on the run.

The city of Manila was founded by Legaspi on June 3rd, 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 dainage from earthquakes. The first newspaper was published in Manila in 1811. The port was opened to the commerce of the world in 1830, 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 the deep anchorage basin thereof is protected by a semi-circular stone breakwater. Three 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, with 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, is nearing completion. The construction in the near future of another pier similar to the fourth and of a trans-shipping wharf adjacent to the breakwater has been included in the port improvement plan of Manila.

The mouth of the Pasig River is used as anchorage space for steamers and sailing vessels engaged in inter-island commerce. Here can be seen launches moving in and out, tugging cascos loaded with cargoes from steamers in the bay or from the warehouses on the banks of the river. The esteros or estuaries provide additional transportation channels to different parts of the city.

Manila is the main terminal of the Manila Railroad Company, with lines from northern to southern parts of Luzon. Several provincial roads enter the city, thereby making motor vehicle transportation feasible. Electric tramways run in the principal streets of the city and its suburbs.