The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-12
WORTH THE Winning
Surprising Richness of the
Philippines.
DESCRIBED IN A REPORT
By the American Collector of
Customs Pro Tenn.


Whittier. bdgadier general Of volunteers
now collector of customs at anila, under
date of September 10 last, has submitted
a report Of his observations upon the con-
ditions as TO the methods TO be pursued
pending any permanent occupation OF the
country which may be decided upon. lie
lsays:
The most important questions are the
currency, revenue Qncluding the ceduIs.
or head tax opium and the admission OF
Chinese. These are very grave questions
and cannot be decided under a brief con-
sheraton.
The currency question is even more i'm
portant than in the United States II must
De remembered that Mexico was the bust
ness channel for these Islands for 80
years; that all efforts to remove the dollar
and substitute another have failed moi
withstanding q law OF the SpAntards for
bidding its entrance; and the same way in
the east. our trade dollar wes z failure and
was withdraw WI. In Hong Kong, the Eng
| lish dollar sells AZ a discount upon the
Mexican. There is but one bank OF issue
here. the Banco &c Filipino. Owing to
It's advances to the Spanish government
OF some 81 TOO, 900. II is IN shsky condi-
ton Efforts in a mild way to bolster it
have up to this time kept II alive The
two other banks. the bong Kong and
Shanghai and the chartered bank Of India.
Australia and China. are very strong The
business people have accustomed them
n h. -
as medium OF exchange and found them
great convenience in place OF the cum
bersoTs method OF handling silver dollars
II would create financial revolution TO
attempt 90 81 Institute in a moment any
currency In the islands 20 replace the
present one: save that national banks OF
tho United States Of America, chartered
under some new form Of law. on the basis
OF tho existing currency would be useful
and profitable
"Reveneus and taxsfJTne csdula or
head tax. which has given an income OF
sl6nno 600 year, has bear a popular npez-
sure 1t has varied fro 81 Formerly $50
per head to so Complaint mainly Gomez
from the lowest class Many people OF good
Judgment here think thar reduction TO
81 would be sztisfa Glory and might be
tried for year. The higher classes do
not soem to find their rate onerous Advo-
oates of the Single tax might make
strong case in these islands. I think the
main revenue of the government in India
is derived from the land tax. It is worthy
Of consideration here.
"Opium-The Spanish practice was to
-.cae
The concessionaire was the captain of the
Chinese. who paid about s55o0c0 for the
privilege for three years. The compiler Of
the new regulations. without knowledge
Of this addition TO The revenue. has placed
the tax (par So at 2 pesos for 100 kilos.
equsling about 22O pounds. This has been
modified by tho governor general TO
pesetas per pound. This change will re-
suit in increased smuggling at which the
Chinese are most sdroit. II VIII be dH-
fcult 70 prevent this even with che use OF
the greatest vigilance and expense The
English in Hong Kong derive a great reve-
nue. from farming tie privilege, as was
the practice here.
Manila Of course Is a very small por-
ton OF the Philippine Islands, OF 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
II has Ia ppened 70 me to be the
only oricer save one companion of ine)
who has made any investigation of even
the adjacent country. On Saturday. Sep
TENDER 2. 7 went over the line of the Ma
Mia railway. I23 lies in length. running
northNard from Manila. The country three
miles out from Manila IS occupied bv the
insurgents for the whole district The lire
IS in fair order. telegraphic commun ca
lions DESTROYED IN many places. probably
requiring p month for their restorat ton
Tho dine has opened and developed a ooun-
Try OF most extraordinary fertility. Rice |
* the principal product: much sugar. n
small amount Of indigo on the northern |
pars O. the line; possibilities of cotton. |
'ofieA and almost anything The stations |
are at short intervals. in accordance with |
orders from The Spanish government. /
which subsidized the lire 7 have never |
seen a country 90 such splendid productive |
power. For the first hundred niles al- |
most AZ Or It IS under cultivation. From !
here 20 the terminus different AMI pref /
ier country. with high cccospyt palm trees !
y rare beauty; h'i- rot ve- as much cul- (
iVated IS thas - tho south.
with new extensions and lines con-
ennplatea on the ISLAND Of T.u2on say. +.
irSt. Manila to Ra.ansas. south; second. /
osS2par - LeoaE. north; ;h-rd. branch. 4
ierona 80 Allisaa- eighteen lies. tobacco
district. added productive power ana (
NesliH wcU'6 ne impaired % the sand.
week ister wen: up he Fssis river
. the L1cuna. extraordinary fertility ~
'oi' being again ;he marked Characteristic.
in6 3 possibility FOR Tire requirement. O.
age estates Il W. control The country ans
: cood titles can he assured
The Island 10 ne south. % which -
'sy Is the principal Do-:. and t-, second
( The Islands. CCc1s. Sa1-a~ NE'~Ss7so
nd possibly Re Su-u. o. Tolo. arch 7s.7zo
b