TRANSPORTATION -t.ND COMM UN IC A TION. The three leading ports of the islands are Manila. and lluilo, The situation of (q.v.) gives it superior advantages in the domestic :mll foreign trade of the island:. Vessels, howeecr, having a draught of more than sixteen feet are compelled to anchor two miles from the shore, and are dependent upon lighterage for loading and unloading cargoes. The G went intends to dredge an inshore harbor and protect it by breakwaters, so that the largest vessels may tie up at the docks. Ceti' and Iloilo are the chief ports of the island: of Cebti and Panay, respec tively, in the Visayan or groat central group of islands between Luzon and Slindanao. There are also three ports of secondary importance: Apa•ri, on the north coast of Luzon, a large centre of tobacco shipments; Zamboanga. the leading port of Ilitidanao; and .Jolo, the chief port of the Sulu Archipelago. in the south. Cus tom houses are maintained at these six ports, and they are open to foreign trade. In addition to these ports there are a large number of local ort whose business is confined to the coastwise trade. Many of them are connected directly by
small steam and sailing vessels with the ports engaged in the foreign trade. As the islands lack railroads and have very few roads of any description, they are dependent upon this large coasting trade for the distribution of their domestic commerce or for the dispateh to or receipt from foreign countries of articles in the foreign trade. Thus the leading ports arc the forwarding and distributing points for the entire over-sea commerce. There an.. for example, about thirty local ports at which the Manila hemp crop is collected for shipment to Manila. Iloilo. and Cebti, where it is transferred to vessels in the foreign trade. The freight rates on these coasting lines are high.
All the ports are reached from the interior by small rivers, or by had cart roads or footpaths. These paths and trails extend from the ports in all directions. but are very inadequate, and com merce is hampered by the poor inland communiea