The record-union., 1898-06-10
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
BRITISH MERCHANTS WANT
UNCLE SAM TO KEEP THEM.
With the Guarantee of Stable
Government They Would Be-
come q Rich Possession.

1 LONDON, June 9 Correspondence
of the Associated Press. Whatever
may be the policy Of the United States
toward the Philippine Islands, the Eng
lish capitalists whose investments give
them the right to speak upon the con-
d1tlOnS and needs of the islands are of
one mind
Delegations of London men represent
ing some of the most important inter
ests in the Philippines have called up
on ambassador Hay to urge him to
make representations to his Govern
ment of their desire that the United
states retain permanent possession of
the Philippines They are agreed in
the belief that with the guarantee of a
stable Government the Philippines
would become a richer and even more
desirable possession than they now are.
They are agreed also that the Spanish
rule is one which discourages bust
ness enterprise and repels capital, and
that the legitimate profits of their bust
ness are mostly absorbed by direct and
indirect brides to Spanish officials.
Without liberal investments to Sc
cure the favor of the ruling class these
gentlemen tell the ambassador that no
business operations can be conducted
under the regime of Spain. The posi-
ton of the Philippine capitalists is one
which prevents them from making a
public declaration of their views.
Should the islands remain under Span
ish sovereignty, that Government
might make conditions burdensome for
business men who were on record as
desiring a change, and who had made
revelations about Spanish misrule.
They can make known their desires
only through secret diplomatic chan
nels, as they have done.
The President Of an important Phil
ippine company having it's principal
office in London, who presented a state
ment to the ambassador, discussed the
question with a representative of the
Associated Press, but only on condi
ton that his name be withheld. He
gave the usual recital of extortion by
the officials who come from Spain to
these islands, as they go to Cuba, for
the sole purpose of acquiring as much
money as possible in the shortest time.
He ridiculed the suggestion that the
Philippine insurgents could be induced
by the Spaniards to form an alliance
against the United States. The natives,
he declared would welcome any Power
which would relieve them from the
domination Of Spain. He did not how
ever, seem to place much confidence in
the good faith of the revolutionists,
and incidentally remarked that he had
knowledge that more than one native
insurrection had been inspired and pro-
NOTED by Spanish officials for the in
creased revenues which would come to
them through the transportation of
insurrectiOn.
Under proper treatment. the natives,
although consisting of several races
would be entirely tractable. The great
est difficulties which would be en-
countered in managing the islands
would come from the religious orders
which had been accustomed to squeeze
the natives, and had accumulated much
valuable property. The present insur-
rection was as much an uprising
against the church as against the Gov
eminent, and was conducted by a Sc
cret society which had been organized
to oppose the priests, sort of free
masonry. which had spread through
out the islands.
AS an instance of Spanish colonial
government, he said there was but one
road outside of Manila in the island.
The entire absence of public works of
all sorts was a great check to business
enterprises.
Careful investigation by the most
efficient engineers had proved that the
gold deposits of the Philippines were
among the richest in the world, and
under conditions favorable to the de-
velopment he was sure that the ISL
ands would surpass Australia and
South Africa as gold country.
In conclusion. this gentleman said
the American Government need not be
deferred by fear Of the climate from
invading the Philippines with unsea-
soned troops. During a residence Of
ten years he had known but one cpl
demic of disease, and that was not a
serious one.