The Business Of Manila

THE BUSINESS OF MANILA

A Revival of Trade Follows American Occupancy.

REFORMS IN THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

Our Authorities Put a Stop to Spain's Corrupt Administration---Chinese Merchants and Their Quaint Shops. Profitable Fields Open For American Capital and Enterprise.

[Copyright, 1899, by the Author.] IX.

Since the American authorities assumed control of affairs in Manila there have been a decided improvement in business conditions and a feeling of greater confidence among European traders. Under the Spanish administration the Manila custom house was run on the most corrupt principles. If an importer wished to escape payment of full duty, he had only to pay a fee to some dishonest official, and the thing was done. In this way the unscrupulous importer was placed at an advantage, and the merchant who paid full duty was unable to compete with him. It was also the practice to exact heavy fines for any trivial mistakes in invoicing, and American firms suffered with the rest. Under our administration things are changed, and an honest enforcement of customs laws has had the effect of clarifying the business atmosphere and rendering commercial conditions quite satisfactory. Spanish currency is the principal money used in Manila, although a Mexican dollar is on par with the Spanish coin. The Spanish money used here is a currency coined especially for these islands, and, although it is quite a crude piece of money compared with our currency, it is superior in this respect to the Mexican coin. Our gold and silver are now accepted in nearly all the stores and shops at twice the face value in Spanish or Mexican coin. The Spanish coin is easily counterfeited, and the skillful natives can readily make a good counterfeit of a peso or media peso. Trade in Manila is largely in the hands of the Chinese. They are everywhere and handle everything from a ship's anchor to a paper of pins. They manufacture sugar and soap in large quantities. We find them engaged in the cultivation and cleaning of rice, in tanning and in varied other industries. They are blacksmiths, carpenters, tinkers, chairmakers, and indeed are engaged in a myriad of other callings. Binondo is full of Chinese, and the Rosario is lined with their diminutive, space saving shops. They are up to all the tricks of trade and can live on an economic plan which no other people can approach. As yet Chinese have not invaded the Escolta, where the fine shops and stores are located. The native shop districts of Manila are the queerest places in the world. In Honolulu there is to be seen on a very small scale what we see here in Manila in hundreds of streets. The quaint native shops are really but little niches in the walls that line the streets, which are so narrow that they would not make an alley in an American town or city. They, however, contain quite an assortment of native goods, such as pina cloth, rude shoes or sandals, and coarse cloths. There are many native eating houses, where the customers are served like horses in a stall, and often many eat from the same dirty platter. All these native places have peculiar odors, which are entirely too strong for the nostrils of an American. But then there are other shops about Manila in which one forgets all about those foul holes. Out on the Calla de Iris, in the San Sebastian district, are to be seen some most interesting sights, and here are many palatial residences built in that picturesque style peculiar to Manila. There are fine courts, and the upper stories, projecting over them, give the structures a decidedly oriental appearance. This district is not without its flowers, for, while the Philippines are not noted for their floral products, there are some very brilliant and beautiful specimens to be seen here. If the visitor to Manila wishes to see a typical tropical place, he must not fail to visit the San Miguel district, which lies along the Pasig, adjoining San Sebastian. Probably the principal industry of Manila and the Philippines is the production of hemp. It is doubtful whether many know that the famous Manila hemp is nothing else than the fiber of a species of banana. Over 100,000 tons of this hemp are exported every year. It is needless to say that the methods of cultivation and preparation are still extremely primitive. The sugar industry is a considerable one, and here also beet root culture is likely to become extensive. Sugar cane grows luxuriantly and contains a large percentage of the saccharine element. The sugar business is now chiefly in the hands of Chinese planters, and as yet only the most crude manufacturing processes are in vogue. Yet the output is already large, and there are abundant opportunities for vast development in the future. The Germans own several tobacco and cigar factories in Manila, and this industry is perhaps further developed than most others on the islands. Philippine tobacco has no superior. In Manila this industry gives employment to more persons than any other single occupation. Here everybody smokes, cigars and cigarettes being extremely cheap. The best cigar costs but 2 cents, and the same amount buys a package of two dozen cigarettes. The lumber industry is one of the least developed, yet it must eventually prove one of greatest importance and profit. At present there is but one steam sawmill on the islands. The fine hard woods are cut into boards by laborers who use only small handsaws, and the work is slow and expensive. Much valuable timber is also wasted. Fortunes await those who judiciously devote their attention to the lumber business on these islands. The peanut is extensively cultivated on Luzon island. The rice industry is one of importance, and the ricefields about Manila are extensive and luxuriant. It is unnecessary to dwell on the rich tropical fruits which grow wild in abundance here. Probably the coconut is the natives' most valued production. From it are manufactured the fine pina cloth and many other articles of necessity. Tea is successfully cultivated on these islands, and coffee is being introduced from Java. An opportunity for investment in Manila which in my opinion would be extremely profitable is in the construction and operation of electric street car lines. Imagine an American city of 300,000 inhabitants with only a horse car line on its streets. But such is Manila's condition, and the system is a very inferior one at that. It is certain that the horse car line of Manila will soon be superseded by electric cars. It is remarkable to what an extent American goods are already sold in the shops of Manila. Many American novelties are on sale. The Singer Sewing Machine company has its agencies here. In the hardware line our country is well represented. American drugs and patent medicines are seen in profusion on the shelves of the pharmacists' shops. A dozen brands of American beer and American whiskies are sold here. So it is in all lines of trade. I never before so fully realized the farreaching extent of American industry. Pittsburg and Cleveland are lighting Manila, the Westinghouse company and the Brush Electric works supplying the complete equipment of the electric lighting plant of this city. Prior to the coming of our army Manila was as quiet at noonday as the average American town is at midnight. All business was suspended during the heat of the day. Now it is different. American vigor is being quickly instilled into Manila and the Philippine islands. The capital city is proving as easy a conquest for American industrial and commercial ideas as it was for American arms, and undoubtedly the city and islands will be just as ready to fall before the invasion of American capital. With Spanish rule at an end, Spanish oppression, tyranny and corruption forever overthrown and all supplanted by modern methods, just laws, honest administration, the industrial awakening and development of Luzon and the other islands of this rich archipelago will form one of the most brilliant chapters in the great volume of Anglo-American triumphs. The field is now ripe for the leaders in the arts of peace to consummate the work of civilization made possible by the heroic acts of our great naval and military captains, Admiral Dewey and General Merritt. Our commanders here have wisely sought to prevent any overt acts of hostility, and have treated the insurgents with reasonable courtesy and consideration, aiming to impress upon them the idea that our mission is one of peace, prosperity and good will toward them. If they lay down their arms peaceably at our request, all will be well; if not, we will compel them to do so by force. Many reforms in local government are needed, and we must grant these. Churches and schools, local improvements, railroad communication, simpler laws and justice---which is here unknown---must be established early in our dominion. Spanish methods, manners and customs must be effaced, for nothing Spanish can be agreeable in native eyes.

William Gilbert Irwin.

Manila.

BRIDGE OVER THE PASIG RIVER.