 ports of coal beyond blue horizons far at the world's end strange fascinating lands back in us bid us revel in their exotic splendors come with us as we head for ports of coal down the red pathway of the setting sun across the mighty reaches of the vast Pacific our ship carries us in comfort and safety toward the world's greatest island archipelago the Philippines 400 large islands and nearly 3,000 smaller ones constitute this rich maritime empire whose land area is only a little less than that of Great Britain and Ireland combined verdant jewels of tropical splendor the Philippines are washed by waters whose very names are fraught with romance the Pacific Ocean the China Sea the briny domain of the Sultan of Sulu and still farther south by the Celebi we have passed the international date line that invisible and mysterious boundary of oxygen in orient and steam south to within 20 degrees of the equator before recite the purple peaks of Luzon the most northerly of the Philippines principal islands night falls over the lazy tropical waters the southern cross comes blazing up over the horizon and now the moon rises to bathe ship and sea and distant islands with bewitching radiance time has not altered the spectacle before us four centuries ago the moon shown just as it does tonight just so too did seabirds chirp sleepily as they rested upon the slow heaving billows and just so did a fragrant breeze bring to a band of weary European mariners the sweet odor of land of greenery of fresh water and the promise of rest beneath shady trees it is the year 1521 ghostly in the moonlight we see the tattered sails the salt caked barnacle encrusted hulls of three tiny caravans of Spain on the high poop of the flagship their commander Fredon and Magellan talks with one of his captains these are great islands before us Magellan the greatest we have seen in the Pacific are they not the ones we seek the maluchas yes they lie farther to the west here we have found something that no other European yet knows how we have sailed so far suffered so much two ships lost only a hundred men left out of 260 a hundred human skeletons yes I know but God has been merciful to spare so many think of the pearls we have survived since his majesty Charles the fifth bad as God speed when we sail from San Luca nearly two years ago remember the terrible 36 days we rise in the grip of icy storms before we can fight our way through from the Atlantic to the Pacific remember the terror of our men we led them into unknown oceans remember the mutinies no I tell you a question when I consider the perils we have survived in the marvelous discoveries we have thus far made I feel humbly grateful to God and the king who has given me the chance to do this when my own people neglected me in spite of my wounds earned in the service of Portugal then you will not be content with this new discovery these great islands he will push on to the maluchas that was the commission the king gave me I shall carry it out if God lends me life oh then Magellan I pray that we may push on quickly but your mission will be accomplished and we can turn back to Spain turn back from the maluchas our Sebastian you're dreaming what do you mean I mean we will not turn back even when the maluchas have been reached never you're insane no far from it listen Sebastian it is true the king commissioned me to claim the maluchas that I shall do but we have sailed more than halfway around the earth it would be foolish to turn back now we hold in our hands an opportunity to perform the greatest feat of navigation the world has ever seen we will continue from the maluchas we shall still follow the sun and we shall reach Spain again without turning back you mean I mean we will circumnavigate the globe Magellan you know Sebastian only reasonable but listen to me many of us have already perished many more of us will not live to see Spain again perhaps I should be one of those dropped overboard God forbid why should my life be spared rather than that of another you I can trust more than anyone else you must promise that if I die you will finish this voyage as I have planned it I promise Magellan swear it on the body of Christ for a cruel for the crystal I swear it good now I am content Magellan landed in the Philippines there he planted the banner of Spain and the Christian faith but he was not to be one of the 18 Haggard survivors who finally reached Spain after sailing around the globe for the first time in history for the intrepid leader was slain in a battle with natives on the island of Cebu his lonely grave became a magnet which drew the might of Spain toward these distant islands to make of them the stronghold of Spanish power in the Orient an empire which yielded its masters a steady stream of riches for over three centuries it is gold in all of the principal islands excellency good see that the minds are developed put the people to work in them gallant from the Philippines must dazzle our king with the richness of their cargo the soil of many districts is suitable for tobacco excellency see that tobacco is planted wherever possible Europe will soon buy all we can produce natives grow much sugar can let the sugar be extracted and further cultivation encouraged from the fibers of the abaca the natives make hemp see that a backers planted in profusion one day Manila rope will rig the vessels of the world's navies there is room to be distilled heralds from the southern island riches untold riches everywhere all for the glory of Spain in 1571 on the shores of Luzon's magnificent Bay at the mouth of the Pasek River grows the Royal City of Manila great stone blocks are viewed from the mountains to build the solid gray green walls of churches convents palaces and their grim defending bullwalks from whose lofty towers the blaze and banners of Spain float proudly against a shimmering tropical sky years passed the decades rolled into centuries old Spain sickened weakened broken and weary she looked on helplessly as one after another of the overseas possessions which had once been her pride fell from her palsy hands in the Philippines the Spanish power sunk in a long lethargy was in grave danger 1896 on the island of Luzon they both against Spanish rule break out in the provinces Spanish domination nothing is being done for the Filipino the schools we should have on our bill education in the islands is only for the half-cars with people who are more stylish than Filipino so we work all day in the hot sun we get no profit from our labor the flyers get it all soon all the terrible lands in the islands will belong to the church we are slaves and we must revolve in the governor-general's palace the model of error takes counsel with the Spanish advisors this revolt might become serious general given a dear ever it is very possible unfortunately we have but 300 troops in Manila just now if the native should rise before our gracious ruler can send us reinforcements I'm afraid we see all the danger lies with this Emilio Aguinaldo in my opinion with him and his little group of Tagalog agitators we're all familiar with the natives lack of organization but this Aguinaldo might well be capable of writing them he has real qualities of leadership I understand and read the communication we have received from the rebels Carlos we demand the expulsion of the religious corporations from the island the reformation of the Spanish laws now enforce granting the people ample education and all its branches granting and personal security and liberty based on rational political system outrageous outrageous and preposterous expelling the religious orders course my dear car no we'll do nothing of the kind what we might make some concessions on the other points unless no here is the way general you will open the campaign at once take what man you can muster all upon the rebels with all possible fury and cites as though you were prepared to continue for 10 years yes your excellency as soon as they have tasted our force we will start negotiations and I think I have a plan which will make the campaign a very very short one Carlos are you ready to make your report yes excellency Aguinaldo and his group assembled at Biaquabato I delivered your excellencies message I told him that you refused to commit yourself to any specific reforms that Spain could never admit anything which might affect her honor or sovereignty good and then and I presented your excellencies proposition and and Aguinaldo except magnificent Carlos Aguinaldo and his 27 subordinate chiefs have agreed to surrender their arms dismiss their forces and leave the Philippines in consideration of the sum of 800,000 pesos to be paid in three installments he passed it to the credit of Aguinaldo and company in a Hong Kong bank how wonderful fine with these men out of the islands the Filipinos will have no leaders left there will no longer be any question of reforms or revolts or anything of that sort but why do you look so dumb Carlos this is the most humane way to stop this trouble and a very economical one too isn't that so yes you're excellent well then the excellency Spain has ruled these islands for over 300 years rule them without question this is the first challenge to her might the news of revulsion Cuba's this quieting tool you have broken up this revolt yes but somehow I feel tragedy and I feel that the sun is about to set on the last vestige of Spain's empire no no Carlos impossible impossible Oh February 15th 1898 United States declares war on Spain while the Spanish-American war fever sweeps the western hemisphere far away on the other side of the world the United States asian squadron under the command of Commodore George duee lies in the harbor of Hong Kong night is falling the lights of the anchored warships blink on Commodore duee restlessly paces the quarterdeck of his flagship the Olympia we should be having news any moment now greatly there's a dispatch boat standing towards Commodore perhaps this is it thank you let's see yesterday here it is listen duee Hong Kong you will proceed at once to Manila and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet there really we will get underway immediately and by the way anchor old speed ahead through the narrow mouth of Hong Kong harbors teams the American squadron a sharp bowels cleave the comers of the China sea they swing to the south and we smoke blacker than the night sky pouring in their funnels they drive at full speed toward Manila midnight April 30th 1898 duee squadron approaches the island of Luzon prepares to make the perilous entrance into Manila Bay where the Spanish fleet lies at anchor protected by the guns of the land batteries shrouded in darkness the Olympia leads her sister ships like a procession of ghosts through the inky waters of the entrance not a light is shown anywhere about the decks men speak and whispers channelized by Karegato Island really you'll have to pass close we can slip past Commodore must it's ticklish business though if the guns on Karegato spot us they'll get the whole show away by the mark 20 that's right we're getting close now that's good sir stand by the ledger tell him not to sing out they might hear each time he gets a sounding head and tear you and run up here with it hi I sir the other ships are in column really can't see much but there's the ball tomorrow's turn of us she's in position all right good 18 fathoms sir very good you stand in front of the Karegato really hi sir 10 degrees starboard 10 degrees hold your breath really this is the tight place it certainly is looks like you could reach out and touch Karegato from the wing of the bridge those Spanish gun crews wake up we're lost blind men couldn't miss at this range 22 fathoms sir very good really we've enough headway to slip by without power stop your engine hi hi sir hello engine on stopper who's making that noise it's me sir what are you rattling maybe I can tie my jaws together with my negative that's the law is you're not afraid then bring up some coffee for Captain Gridley and me hi hi sir well the worst is over Gridley give her half speed again hi sir speed ahead let the men have coffee but keeps them with their battle station yes how about the batteries it could be day they're not so dangerous we don't have to pass them as closely as Karegato there'll be a beam in a few minutes then we'll change our course and by daylight we'll be within range of the fleet before the miller if I may say so sir you thought as well the Spanish fleet for the least of our troubles I have considerable confidence in our marksmanship grid the night draws to its close the men at their battle station shiver in the cool breeze which ushers in the dawn squadron speed is increased daylight comes the wave of intense excitement sweeps through the squadron as the gathering light reveals to anxious eyes the black hulls and tall spars of the Spanish fleet black smoke starts pouring from their funnel back seen us they're trying to get underway I'm afraid it's a little late what time is it by the way three bells Commodore we're right on schedule gridley dawn in the United States Navy both arrive at 5 30 today the enemy has opened fire Commodore be sure to log that fact doesn't make Commodore I stand by single-brother ships hi I sir we're well on the range now sir remember captain we steam by the fleet and column as a present firing starboard broadside each ship concentrating on leading Spanish ship until destroyed when the squadrons have passed the last Spanish ship we make a hundred and eighty degree turn to port delivering port broadside we repeat this maneuver as long as maybe necessary I quite understand Commodore all other commanding officers have acknowledged receipt of these instructions lieutenant yes sir very well you may fire when ready gridley in one half hours later the battle of Manila Bay have become history the Spanish fleet had ceased to exist the United States found itself in possession of an overseas empire native leader general Emilio Aguinaldo returns to the islands during a long delay between Dewey's victory and the final signing of the peace treaty with Spain in February 1899 Aguinaldo with the consent of the American commanders undertakes the reduction of the Spanish strongholds throughout the islands when the war is finally ended and the United States is preparing to take over the administration of the islands as an American possession deep misunderstandings have already arisen Aguinaldo claims that the Filipinos are entitled to immediate independence the anti imperialist group in the United States led by William Jennings Bryan supports his views as a result the withdrawal of the last Spanish forces from the Philippines is followed by the outbreak of the Filipino rebellion against the United States a long trying series of guerrilla skirmishers which terrorizes the province for two years then Aguinaldo is captured he takes the oath of allegiance to the United States and the great work of bringing the Philippines a medievalism to the status of a modern power capable of eventual self of government is undertaken July 4th 1901 William Howard Taft is inaugurated as civil governor of the Philippines and I feel I cannot do better on this occasion and to repeat to you the instructions which as a member of the Philippine Commission I received from President McKinley when we first came to organize a civil government among you I quote a high and sacred obligation rests upon the government of the United States to give protection civil and religious freedom and wise firm unselfish guidance to all the people of the Philippine Islands I charge this commission to labor for the full performance of this obligation in the firm hope that through their neighbors all the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands may look back with gratitude to the day when God gave victory to American arms at Manila these were the aims and ideals with which we came to you and they are the ones which will guide us in the future our work among you will show what we have already told you that the United States has assumed the sovereignty of the Philippines with no thought of riches or a profit to a self but only as a great trust whose whole aim is the advancement of the Filipino people through the years which followed American administrators working with loyal Filipino patriots toiled ceaselessly at their task of bringing civilization to the islands by 1913 they had established civil and criminal courts were rich and poor a fair and equally justice was no longer for sale abolished brigandry by instituting a native constabulary with American officers purchased the 400,000 acres of agricultural land formally held by the Spanish religious order and made them available to small native farmers established a stable currency based on gold developed the rich mineral resources of the island introduced modern agricultural methods built hundreds of miles of highway Navos church and state abolished the opium graphic isolated the left to the island of Kulia supplied free public education for every Filipino child reduced the small parks mortality 600% increased the internal revenue of the Philippines to 20 million dollars their exports to 56 million dollars drained many thousands of Filipinos for the important task of holding public office thus the great humanitarian work unique in the world's colonial history went on at last 37 years after her arrival the United States prepared to withdraw from the islands in November 1935 the Philippine Commonwealth becomes a reality and her first president Manuel Kevan is inaugurated there can be no progress except under the auspices of peace I appeal therefore every Filipino to give the government loyal support so that tranquility may reign supreme in our beloved land but although the young Commonwealth is advancing swiftly in the path of progress it will only light the visitor in search of exotic beauty throughout a thousand miles of secret islands we encounter numberless sites to enrich our memories the wide horned slow moving water buffaloes the tiny shaggy main little ponies pulling the lace us jammed with smiling exuberant natives the native black-haired women with their wide gauzy sleeves of fiber cloth the small kinky-haired flat nose negritos said to be the Aboriginal inhabitants of the islands the brown sturdy-legged Igorotes those savage mountaineers whose houses only three decades ago were decorated with human skulls the supple turban morose of holo for Hamidans whose allegiance to the Sultan of Sulu the Spaniards could never shake we see the rice terraces of if you go in northern Luzon incredible engineering feats of savage hillsmen climbing the mountain sides to meet the clouds in the devour country we see the most picturesque tribesmen in the world wearing beaded garments of indescribable ornate but now we must leave let us give one last quick glance at the busy posse river crowded with boats of all descriptions bringing fruits and produce to Manila's market and at the celebrated lunata and its strong of promenades at the cathedral in the old streets of Intramarus we proceed to our ship the mossy stone ramparts which were once the symbol of Spain's might still stand with their watchtowers silhouetted against a brilliant sky but at their feet now lies the green turf of playing fields and golf courses may this peaceful symbol of the new order be a lasting one farewell Philippines and good luck we invite you to join us again next week in this time as we journey to another of the world's fascinating ports of call