The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-12
PROBLEMS TO Be SOL WE'D
Review of Conditions in the
Philippines.
RICH NATURAL RESOURCES
Luzon In an Island OF the Most Extra
ordinary Fsrtility-The Rest OF the
Islands Are Equally as
Valuable.

4 whittier, br1Kadser general OF Nolun-
teers. now collector of customs at Ma
Mia, under date of Sept. 10 last. has
submitted a report OF his observations
upon the condition of things in Manila
and the Philippine islands and sugges-
tions as to the methods to be pursued
pending any permanent occupation of
| the country which may be decided
upon. He says:
The most important questions are
the currency. revenue 0ncluding the
cedula or head taxi, opium and the ad-
mission OF Chinese. These are very
grave questions and cannot be decided
under a brief consideration. The cur
| rency question Is even more important
| than in the United States. II must he
remembered that Mexico was the busi-
ness channel for these islands for $50
| years; that all efforts to remove this
dollar and substitute another have
failed, notwithstanding a law of the
Spaniards forbidding its entrance. and
the same way In the East. our trade
/ dollar was failure and was with
| drawn. In Hong Kong the English
| dollar sells at a discount upon the
Mexican. There is but one bank OF
issue here, the Banco de Filipino. Ow-
| ing to its advances to the Spanish gov
| ernment OF some sl,100.0O0 IL is in a
shaky condition.
The two other banks, the Hong
| Kong and Shanghai. and the char
| tered bank OF India. Australia and
China are very strong. The business
people have accustomed themselves to
the notes OF the Filipino bank as a me-
dium of exchange, and found them a
| great convenience in place of the cum
bersome method Of handling silver dol
lars. Ii would create a financial rev.
| olution to attempt to substitute in a
moment any currency I'm the islands
| to replace the present one, save that
national banks of the United States OF
America, chartered under some new
| form of law on the basis of the exist
ing currency, would be useful and
| proftable.
The cedula, or head tax, which has
given an income of s16,000.o00 year.
| has been a most popular measure. 1t
has varied from 50 per head to $37.5O
IL was the Spanish practice TO sell the
right of Importation of opium. Tho
| concessionaire was the captain of the
Chinese. who paid about s550.000 for the
privilege for three years. The COM
piler of the new regulations. without
| knowledge of this addition to the rev.
| enue, has placed the tax at two pesas
for 100 kilos. equalling about 220
pounds. This has been modified by the
governor general by SIX pesos per
| pound. This change will lead to IN
nese are most adroit.
Manila. Of course. Is a very small
portion Of the Philippine islands, or
even of Luzon. No one who has not
gone beyond the limits OF the town can
have any idea of the wealth, fertility
and resources of the country. Sept.
i went over the line of the Manila
railway, 123 miles in length, running
northward from Manila. The line mas
opened and developed a country of
most extraordinary fertility. Rice is
the principal product, much sugar. a
small amount OF indigo on the north
ern part of the line: possibilities of
cotton. coffee and almost anything.
1 have never seen a country of such
splendid productive power. For the
first 100 miles almost all of II is under
cultivation. From there to the terrni-
nus a different and prettier country
with high cocoanuts, palm trees of a
rare beauty. but not yet as much cul-
tivated as that to the south.
"A week later / went up the Pasig
river To the Laguna. the extraordinary
fertility of the soil being again the
characteristics. and a possibility for the
requirement OF large estates II we con-
troll the country, and IL good titles can
be assured
"The islands to the south. Panay
Uloilo being the principal porD, Cebu.
stanmar Mindanao and possibly the
Sulu or JULIO archipelago. should be in
vestigated as soon as our relations with
the Spanish permit. I am extremely
anxious to make this journey under
the auspices and at the invitation Of
English merchants thoroughly ac-
ouainted with the islands. II one half
they say Of the richness OF this be true.
IL would be a most valuable acquisition
to the United States. | trust that l
ha ha aa1 inf -,
remarks and suggestions. Being an
army officer. and at the same time COL
lector of customs at Manila. my duty
would seem to be ito the secretary of
war and the treasury, and l submit
these remarks as directed to them as
well .as TO yourself.
II desire no place here except upon
the ship to return to America. but / am
so thoroughly impressed with the
wealth and beauty Of the most p~cu-
liar conditions existing here that I am
most anxious for the success of our
government in working out this exper.-
ment with the best fruition.
THE inhabitants are unique; the ma
tives clean and clever: the Chinese
more active and persevering. all beasts
Of burden. accustomed to little in the
way of pay or food or shelter We
pay a house servant who works most
satisfactory. $40 month. equalling
$40 of our money, he furnishing his
own food.
THE custom receipts during our in
cumbency. a working days. amount TO
s60e. 600. With the increase OF indus
tries. contingent upon our occupancy
they should amount, within two years
to IS O00. 900 year at least
"The mining explorations and ven-
lures promise very well. and especially
In coal and iron. Few of our people
k.f aI ..f -
are radically different from those in the
United States. You can't upset the
habits and traditions of two centuries
in two weeks. The Oriental will for a
long time yet prefer rice and opium 10
pie and baked beans. 'Festlna lente'
should be the rule Of our conduct"
TeAeh~r