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National Geographic : 1898 Jun
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THE PHILIPPINEISLANDS discovered countries acquired by Spain, so that they have in creased in numbers instead of being exterminated, as in many places in the Western hemisphere. This was not due, however, to any magnanimity on the part of the Spaniards, but to the fact that the great distance of the islands from Spain prevented their being overrun by greedy and cruel adventurers, as was the case in the West Indian islands and adjacent mainland. In Mindanao and some of the other southern islands there are some pure Malays, who are Mohammedans. They are called "Moros "-Moors by the Spaniards-and at times give them as much trouble as the African Moors gave their ancestors in Spain. There are also in the interior of Luzon and other islands many semi-savage tribes, who have never submitted to Spanish rule or to Spanish taxation, and when they escape the latter it is pretty certain that they are not under control. They are as untamed and are living as primitive a life as they were when the Span iards landed on the islands, more than three centuries ago. The Philippine Malays are a superior race to many other Asi atic people; they are orderly, amiable, courteous, honest, and hospitable, exceedingly superstitious, and when they profess Christianity are easily influenced by the priests. Like most trop ical people, they are intermittent rather than steady workers. Their wants are easily provided for, and they take life easy. They are lacking in energy when at peace, but their hot tropical blood makes them fierce and revengeful in war. They are fond of music, dancing, and amusement of all kinds, but are born gamblers, and cock fighting is their great passion. Every na tive, however poor, owns a game cock, and is always ready to bet his last coin on its prowess. Every town and village has its cock-pit, and in the larger communities the spectators may be numbered by thousands. Of course, this amusement, like every thing else in the Spanish colonies, is heavily taxed, and a con siderable revenue is derived from this source. Advantage is also taken of the taste for gambling by running a lottery for the ben efit of the government. The mestizos or mixed races form a numerous and influential portion of the population. The descendants of Spanish fathers and native mothers are numerous. A large proportion of the merchants and landed proprietors are of this class, and most of the subordinate and clerical offices of the government are filled by them. Another element is the Chinese and half-breeds of mixed Chinese and native blood. Few Chinese women come to
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