Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 1431

THE PHILIPPINES

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they almost invariably return to their more temperate homeland as they ap- proach the declining years. Moreover, as a rule, only the physically fit ven- ture to leave their own country for the purpose of carving out careers for themselves overseas. Ideal health resorts are found in the highlands, such as Baguio in the Mountain Province, (5000 feet above sea level), and the settle- ments in the vicinity of Lake Lanao, in Mindanao. The medicinal qualities of the waters of Sibul Springs, Los Baños, Klondyke's (on the Benguet) road, and many other hot or mineral springs, are known to be of great value.

HISTORY

In his trip around the world, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese, in the service of Spain, discovered the Philippines on March 16th, 1521. Spain, claiming the country, colonized it in 1565, when Legaspi, the first Governor of the Philippines, founded the first Spanish settlement in Cebu. The city of Manila was founded on June 24th, 1571.

The early history of the Philippines is a record of continual trouble. Con- flicts between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities led to internal contentions, while both Portugal and the Netherlands coveted these rich possessions and Spaniards. In 1606 the Dutch blockaded the ports with five ships, which were, however, destroyed by the Spanish fleet. Attacks were also made at different points by powerful Chinese piratical fleets. The most celebrated of these was the invasion by Li Ma Hong, who with 2,000 men landed at Manila in 1574, but was defeated and driven out by the Spaniards and natives, under the leadership of Juan de Salcedo. In 1762 the capital was taken by the English, the private property of the inhabitants being saved from plunder on the con- dition of the payment of a ransom of £1,000,000, half of which was paid in money and the other half in bills upon the Spanish Treasury. In the mean- time, however, peace had been concluded, and the country was restored to Spain, payment of the balance of the indemnity not being insisted upon.

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The Filipinos were given representation in the Spanish Cortes in 1810. The galleon trade instituted by the Spanish Government ended in 1815. The port of Manila was opened to the commerce of the world in 1830. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, direct mail service with Spain was inaugurated and railroads and telegraphs were introduced into the Philippines. Attempts to throw off the Spanish yoke were made in 1822, 1841, 1842, 1872 and 1896. June 12th, 1898, Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Cavite, and the Philippine flag was officially unfurled. Upon the outbreak of hostilities be- tween the United States and Spain in 1898, the Insurgents offered to co-operate with the former. The offer was accepted with the result that while the Ameri- cans took and held the city of Manila, the Insurgents overthrew Spanish auth- ority throughout the remainder of the Island of Luzon and established a gov- ernment of their own with General Aguinaldo as Dictator. Commodore Dewey sank the Spanish squadron in Manila Bay on May 1st, 1898. The Philippine Republic was established on January 23rd, 1899. The Treaty of Paris, provid- ing for the cession of the Philippines to the United States, was ratified by the Senate of the United States on February 6th, 1899. Civil government was established in the Philippines on July 4th, 1901. The first Philippine Assem- bly was inaugurated on October 16th, 1907. On August 29th, 1916 the Philip- pine Organic Act, commonly known as the Jones Law came into force, esta- blishing a system of government which continued until November 15th, 1935. Under this Act the Chief Executive was the Governor-General, appointed by the President of the United States and representing the sovereign power of the United States. Under him was the Vice-Governor, also appointed by the Pre- sident, who, in addition to assuming the functions of the Governor-General during the latter's absence, held the appointment of Secretary of Public In- struction. There were six other executive departments, each under a Secretary. The legislative branch consisted of a Senate of 24 members and a House of Representatives of 93 members, mostly elected by popular franchise. From the time of the enactment of the Jones Law there was a progressive increase of Filipino participation in the administration, so that by 1935 very few Ameri- can Officials remained.

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