anish _regime_, was apparently
outside the region of tourists and "globe-trotters." Indeed the
Philippine Archipelago formed an isolated settlement in the Far East
which traders or pleasure-seekers rarely visited _en passant_ to
explore and reveal to the world its natural wealth and beauty. It was
a Colony comparatively so little known that, forty years ago, fairly
educated people in England used to refer to it as "The Manillas,"
whilst up to the end of Spanish rule old residents, on visiting
Singapore and Hong-Kong, were often highly amused by the extravagant
notions which prevailed, even there, concerning the Philippines. But
the regulations above referred to were an advantage to the respectable
resident, for they had the desirable effect of excluding many of those
nondescript wanderers and social outcasts who invade other colonies.

Since the Revolution there has been a large influx of American tourists
to the Islands, arriving in the army-transports, passage free, to see
"the new possession," as the Archipelago is popularly called in the
United States.

CHAPTER XVI

Agriculture

In years gone by, before so many colonies were opened up all over
the world, the few who, in the Philippines, had the courage to face
the obstacles to agriculture in a primitive country made fairly large
fortunes in the main staple products--sugar and hemp. Prices were then
treble what they have since been, labour was cheaper, because the needs
of the labouring-class were fewer, and, owing to the limited demand
and the rarity of epidemic cattle-disease, buffaloes for tilling were
worth one-eighth of what they cost at the present day. Although the
amount of trade was vastly less, those natives engaged in it were in
sounder positions than the same class generally is now.

Within the last few years there are hundreds who have embarked in
agricultural enterprises with only one-tenth of the capital necessary
to make them successful. A man would start planting with only a few
hundred pesos and a tract of cleared land, without title-deeds, and
consequently of no negotiable value. In the first year he inevitably
fell into the hands of money-lenders, who reasonably stipulated for a
very high rate of interest in view of the absence of guarantees. The
rates of interest on loans under such circumstances varied as a rule
from 12 to 24 per cent. I know a Visayo native who, by way of interest,
commission, and charges, demanded as much as 30 p