The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-04
S. A. Knapp Considers
Them Unlimited.
FORTUNES EASY TO MAKE
SOIL OF The ISLANDS PRoDUc-
TIVE OF EVERY PRODUCT.
This Is the Report of the Represen-
tative of the Secretary of Agri-
culture Who Has Been Max
ing Investigations.

| S. A. Knapp, probably the largest and
best known sugar man in the United
States, certainly the leader of that indus
try in the State of Louisiana, is a guest
! at the Occidental Hotel. Mr.. Knapp ar
rived yesterday from the Orient, where
he has been for some time past, making
expert researches into the agricultural
possibilities of that part of the world, in
fulfillment of mission which he accept
ed from the Washington Government last
spring.
Mr.. Knapp was requested by the Secre-
| tary of Agriculture to cross the Pacific,
thoroughly acquaint himself with all per-
tanning to the department of agriculture
and return with a report which might
serve as an intelligent basis for the Sec
rotary to work on. While in the East Mr..
Knapp visited Manila and looked over
the new field presented for American en-
terprise.
He says that the Philippine Islands pre-
sent vast possibilities for those who have
moderate capital to invest, but are no
place for those to go who are obliged to
hood. Skilled mechanics will do well
there at present, but even the demand for
skilled labor is limited, and consequently
the openings for craftsmen are not many
in number.
Mr. Knapp considers the chances excel
lent in most lines of agricultural pursuit.
The islands, he says, contain thousands
upon thousands of virgin acres that need
only the touch of the husbandman's plow
to bring forth rice, sugar, cotton, coffee,
indigo, copra-in fact, every product pos
to, in a few years, make a young, indus
triouS man comparatively Independent.
These islands," said Mr.. Knapp, ARE
of wonderful fertility and can produce
Naturally, while did my best to collect
all the general information 1 could while
there, yet, as practical sugar man, l
was most interested in that particular ar
ticle.
For the growing and manufacture of
sugar the Philippine Islands present a
field that cannot be surpassed and the
opportunities for money-making in this
direction are enormous.
1.-The soil and climatic conditions of the
islands are particularly adapted to the
cultivation of sugar cane. In our country
it Is only possible to grow cane nine
months in the year. The weather in Lu-
Zon and the other islands is such that the
cane will need comparatively little atten-
ton. It can be left standing in the earth
throughout the year, with the result that
when cut it will contain a larger percent
age OF saccharine SUBSTANCE and produce
much more to the acre. The only reason
this has not been demonstrated before tG
the world is to be found in the unpro-
greSSiYeneSS of the people. Their meth
DDS were old hundred years ago, and if
they can by the most crude methods pro-
duce enough sugar for their immediate
themselves well content. For a young,
active, progressive American who has
few dollars to invest in land and machin-
cry and few more with which to pay for
his labor and other incidental expenses,
| see no better opening than the sugar
business in the Philippines"
Mr.. Knapp also said he had looked into
the reported mineral wealth of the coun-
try with the result that he is fully con-
WINGED that the islands will upon investi-
cation be found to be exceedingly rich in
deposits of gold. silver, lead, copper and
be retained by the United States Govern
ment, both because they will be good
paying investment and because he says
he can see no other way out of the diem
ma in which the war has placed the Gov
eminent. AS to the FflipiHos themselves,
siderable assistance in one way. The gov
eminent of the islands, as far as it re-
lates to the domestic matters of the is
lands themselves, should be placed to a
great extent in Filipino hands. That care
full and considerate diplomacy founded on
BILE between the Filipinos and Americans
Mr.. Knapp is quite certain There are
many smart men among these same Fill
pinos," said Mr.. Knapp, land while the
great mass of the native population are
ignorant and undeveloped, yet there are
who are sufficiently advanced to take
care of themselves.
Mr.. Knapp will soon leave for Washing
ton and as he stands high in the esuma-
ton of those in power his views may
have considerable weight toward framing
ed toward the inhabitants of Luzon and
the thousand-odd other islands which
have been presented to the United States
by Dewey and his jackies.