Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-25
PHILIPPINE PLANTS.
A Rep1rt Compiled By TIE Agri:ul-
tural Department at Wasli1 ton.
TIE SCHENE FOR CURRENCY REFORI.
Position of Delegates at The Hague on
Arbitration Mckinley Back In Wash
ington Brooke to Use His Decretion
Wants to Dnfer with Mcmillan.

| ingtOn Brooke to Use His DecretiOn
Wants to confer with Mcmillan.
| Washington. May IA report o
the plant products of the philippin
islands just issued by the agriculture
department is authority for the state
ment that the Philippines, although
an agricultural country, DO not pro
duce enough food for the consumption
OF the inhabitants In order to sup
ply the deficiency it is the custom t,
draw upon other rice-producing coun
tries, notably the French colony o
Cochin-China. No explanation of THU
condition is offered, the report dealing
exclusively with the agricultural re
sources Of the islands as they nov
exist. The report was compiled
by Frank II. Hitchcock, chief
of the section of foreign mar.
kets, and issued by the division OF
botany. A prefactory note explains
that it has been issued to meet a popu.
lar demand for such information. and
says that the main facts presented have
been drawn from reports made by the
French consul at Manila. The report
shows that of the area of the Philip
pine islands, one-ninth, or about S.OO0,-
900 acres, is devoted to agriculture.
Taking INTO account the natural fer
tlllty OF the soil and the vast portion
OF these rich lands not yet under cult
walton, it can safely be assumed, it
adds, that with better methods of ex-
ploitation the total agricultural pro.
dnction of the islands could be in
creased to ten or Is times its present
amount.
CURRENCY REFORM SCHEME.
Washington, May 22.-lt is under
stood that the house republican caucus
committee appointed to frame scheme
of currency reform has agreed upon
measure along the following lines:
The redemption of all obligations of
the government in gold on demand;
greenbacks, when once redeemed for
gold, to be reissued only for gold per-
national banks to issue notes
to the paper value of their government
bonds deposited in the treasury, in
stead OF 30 per cent. as at present:
permitting the minimum capacity of
banks to be S25, 900 instead of
S5O, 600 as at present. This plan is much
less comprehensive than ardent ad-
vocates of general currency revision
have urged, but was adopted because
harmonious agreement on it was posi-
BILE which was not the case when more
radical measures were suggested.
DELEGATES ON ARBITRATION.
Washington, May 22.-The London
Daily News publishes dispatch from
The Hague supposed to be inspired by
William 7. Stead, editor of the Review
If Reviews, which is in part as follows:
Regarding arbitration the present position of
he delegates seems to be this. Germany and
he other two powers of the triple alliance are
ntirely against 1t and Turkey follows in their
wake. Great Britain and the United States are
ntirely in favor of it. Prof. Won Stengel, of
he Germany delegation, said to-day. "Arbitra-
ion is impracticabe when two nations are d.
ided by vital issue, while in less important
uestions 1t exists already" France is hesita-
ing and will probably agree with Russia Sew
raj delegates confess that they came to the
difference unprepared and have already learned
much.
HE PRESIDENT BACK IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, May 22.--President and
hrs, Mckinley and Adjt. Gen. Corbin
rrived in Washington Saturday night |
rom Hot Springs, Va. The trip was
made leisurely in order to give the
resident an opportunity to see the |
'irginia battlefelds. Mr.. and Mrs.
icKinley looked much improved in |
ealth. The president and Secretary |
Hitchcock Sunday attended the seven
ieth anniversary of the celebration of
Wesley Methodist chapel. During the
fternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley went
ut for a long drive. They stopped for
time at the residence of Vice Presi-
ent Hobart, who they found is i'm
rowing and sitting up and with whom
hey chatted pleasantly for some time.
GEN. BROOKE TO USE HIS DISCRETION.
Washington, May 22.-After con-
liberation of the matter with Secretary
llger and Adjt. Gen. Corbin, Presi-
ent Mckinley has directed Maj. Gen.
Brooke to use his own discretion with
eference to the acceptance or the re-
ectlon or the CUBAN proposition that
he arms and equipments of the Cuban
oldiers be placed in the custody of the
mayors Of towns. Secretary Alger has
withdrawn his opposition to
he plans of Brooke and Gomez. 1t
'as the intention Of the president to
all a meeting of the cabinet to consider
he proposition, but he finally reached
he conclusion that Gen. Brooke is
etter qualified to deal with it than
nyone in Washington.
LGER WANTS TO CONFER WITH MILAN.
Washington, May -. Before leaving
Or Pennsylvania Saturday night Sec
etary Alger sent dispatch to Senator
lcMillan asking for conference over
lichigan politics in general and the