The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-29
OPEN PHILIPPINE PORTS.
BUSINESS TO BE RESUMED IN LUz0N
AND OTHER ISLANDS

AND OTHER ISLANDS.
tits Desired to Resume the Expectation OF
Hemp so as to Keep Down the Price OF
Binding Irvine in This Country-Ordsrs
Issued by Gen. Otis for the Opening.
Special Cabi. Dopatoh to TIE sur.
MANILA. Dec 2S.--On New Years Day the
ports OF Dagupan, San Fernando. Vigan. LaoaR
and APART In Luzon will bo declared open to
commerce. subject to the usual coasting. trade
regulations
Gen. Bates will sail for Zamboanga. island
OF Mindanao tomorrow. His instructions
are to open Custom Houses at Sulu ports
and at 2amboanga. Cattabatto. Dnvao and
Basllan in Mindanao. Zamboanga may be In
cluded In the Jolo district. The ports OF the
slasi group. southwest Of the Jolo group. will
be declared open on Jan. ~.
The military Governors OF the archipelago
have been ordered to establish provost courts
for the trial Of oil persons accused OF crimes.
The jurisdiction OF these courts will extend
oyer all offences committed by the inhabitants
except those meriting capital punishment and
those over which courts martial have jurisdlc-
ton. The provost courts cannot Impose SEN
tence OF moro than one years Imprisonment
ut hard labor and a fine OF $1,000. The pro.
cedure OF these courts is the same as that OF
summary court and tho sentences imposed do
officers.
Col Lockett with the Eleventh Cavalry at
tackled 1000 insurgents in the Montalban
Mountains. the scene OF several Spanish de-
feuts. After three hours bombardment the
enemy was disodged aud scattered TO the north.
east. Tho insurgent casualties were not re-
ported. The Americans had Ave men wounded.
1t IL reported that the insurgent newspaper
Indepencia has been resuscItated and is being
printed in u mountain cave.
WAsHISaToS. Dec. ~ Tho early opening OF
the hemp ports In the Philippine. continues to
be urged upon Gen. Otis by tho War Depart
ment. Secretary Root has been overwhelmed
with appeals TO secure the opening OF all
ports by Feb. /. The price OF binding Irvine.
It In said. will advance considerably unless
| this IL done. The farmers Of the West have
shown much anxiety about the reports that the
price OF Irvine will be enormously high unless
the ports are open. and Representative Long
OF Kansas has written the War Department
inuuiring what IL being done in the matter
Assistant Secretary OF War Meiklejohn. In q
letter to Mr.. Long explains the Departments
efforts TO have the ports opened and says that
the imports OF hemp into the United States for
the ten months ended Oct 81. 1890. amounted
TO more than those ~ the entire year OF 1897.
which was the largest Philippine exporting
his figures relate to total mpcrtations and are
not confined TO importatons from Manila.
Statistics to commercial houses show a deh-
cheney of 2O4 900 bales OF hemp up to Dec IL
a. compared with lS's. and a total OF 40l .00O
bales received at all ports In the Philip
pinos as compared with 8GIS0OO In 1898
The stock In the United States. according to
commercial statistics. was p54 bales on the
10th OF tho present month as compared with
1O,622 bales at the same date last year.
Dir. Meiklejohu's letter says:
You are advised that on tho 18th inst. the
Department cabled to Gen. Otis at Manila that
the Secretary OF War desired the hemp ports
opened and garrIsoned as soon as Il can be
done with due regard for the best
interests OF the military situation. The
Military Governor Of the Philippines cabled on
Dec. IL. IN response. that the hemp ports will
be opened as soon as transportation OF sum-
Gent troops to garrison the same can be Sc
cured ami that there would probably DO active
trade with the same early In January.
The War Department IL doing everything
compatible with the requirements OF the m ILL.,
tary situation to develop the trade OF the Philip
hemp ports will be open to trade
In ample time for any accumula-
tons OF hemp therein contained to
reach this country and be manufactured
before the next wheat harvest. iLasmuch as
the combination OF low freight rates and high
price OF fibre will tend to bring the ship
ments by steamer in lieu OF sailing vessels.
and as they require only three months for
tho trip and IN additional month
will suffice to place the man ufactured article
In the hands OF farmers Shipments leaving
Manila in March would be available for the
hnrvests OF Iowa. Nebraska and the North
western States"