The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-13

the premium charged Still, the general
conditions OF all these places, viewed from
a sanitary and medical standpoint Is
markedly unfavorable. In fact, de-
tailed consideration OF the condition under
which people live leaves one IN q state OF
astonishmers that the rate OF mortality
has no tbeen heavier. I. Is difficult TO
form clear idea as 10 the possibilities OF
business in the PHILIPPINES should those
Islands be put under the control OF the
United States. But as between Cuba and
Porto Rico, IN the light OF what we have
| experienced, / should say that Cuba will
present much the better field for US. or
! course It IS much larger With the lapse
| OF time and the improved sanitary condi-
tons. particularly in the cities, under a
! systeam OF laws which begin with the
Anglo-Saxon idea OF every day honesty,
| there Is no reason why Cuba and Porto
Rico. and probably the Philippines. should
not be a profitable field for the prosecu-
ton of our business, based Of course, on
| an adequate rate OF premium"
DR.. Walter r. Gillette. general manager
of the Mutual Life Insurance Company.
business in Porto Rioo, Cuba or the Phil
ippines. Whether we viii enter those
regions in the future or not will depend
very much upon the sanitary and hyigenic
conditions prevailing. The climatic con-
ditions (beIng unalterable) will probably
be met, II the company should ever do bus
mess in those countries, by charging what
are termed tropical rates. Business all
developed In these new territories just as
soon as they come under the full influence
Of tn nineteenth century progressive move
ments. and when that takes place life in
surance will undoubtedly keep step with
the general Improvement. The obstacles
to be overcome are those which naturally
present themselves in the conditions now
prevailing as reported by the army and
the press correspondents. There would
seem to be a total lack of sanitation in
these countries, and this condition must
unquestionably be changed before life
companies will consider the possibilities
Of business, except through extraordinary
and abnormal premium rates.
THE mortality in the tropics is always
in excess of what It is in more temperate
zones, and always will be regardless Of
any and all sanitary and hygienic rules
and regulations. Animal life there is like
vegetable life, 1. g., early ripe and early
rotten, and this early mortality must be
met by corresponding increased premium
rates, which will necessarily limit the
volume of business that can be had in
such countries. Porto Rico presents the
most desirable and favorable field for life
insurance interests, as has been demon
strated already by companies that have
done business there. As 70 the Philippines
do not know whether or not any COM
panies are doing business there but fancy
there may be some English companies
find them all through the islands of the
South Pacific, and there would appear to
be no reason why such an important ter
ritory as the Philippines should be over
looked while others in that locality have
been occupied. 1t is of course understood
that companies doing business down in
any of the South Sea Islands or Philip !
pine Archipelago would conflne their risks
wholly to the European population, which
may be engrafted there for the purpose of I
general business. No company would /
think of insuring the natives of those coun |
tries under present conditions"
James W. Alexander, Vice-President Of /
the Equitable Life Insurance Society, said: /
81 do not think that we sail want to do /
business in the Philippines just yet We /
considered that territory some time ago, /
and came to the conclusion that we did /
not care 20 insure the natives and that .
foreigners were exposed to dangers, known !
and unknown, which could not be accu-
rately determined in advance. We retired
from Porto Rico on account of the NOR
tally, and finally abandoned practically
all of the West Indian territory except
Cuba In Cuba we did a good business,
charging a heavy rate to cover the in
creased mortality, and then accepting
risks only upon the lives Of acclimated
OF course the war put an end
% business there and before we under
AXE to push matters in that region again
We shall have to ascertain accurately
about the conditions. know that in both
Cuba and Porto Rico, under favorable con-
1itions, business will improve and the
objections could become less and
esS. We have made II a rule not to press
our business in doubtful quarters. and
While things are yet in a disturbed s8,te
We shall not take definite action"