Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-24
Statistics Show the Philippines
Will Not Prove Burden.
HAVE GREAT MINERAL WEALTH.
Revenue Receipts Have Already Ex-
ceeded the Expenditures Nearly
s2,OOO,OOO sine. Occupa-
tion by Americans.

ers have been in open revolt against
the authority of the United States.
War is not conducive to trade and in
ternal development. Nevertheless ii
comparative statement of customs re-
ceipts for the first three months of 1899
with January. February and March of
the years Immediately preceding the
american occupation OF the islands
shows that. despite the Encouragement
of war. the trade of the Philippine ISL
ands has grown wonderfully. The
amount of import duties collected in
Jan. 1899. exceeded Tint collected in any
previous year. and the amount received
in February, 1899, is only exceeded by
that of the same month of 1895. The
amount received from export duties in
February and March, 1899, exceeds the
receipts of the same months in any
previous wear. The amount received in
january, 1899. is only exceeded by that
of January, 1897. When it is consid-
cred that January, 1892 was the first
month of actual American possession.
the discrepancy in export duties is
robbed of its significance.
The total receipts of January and
February combined exceed those OF any
previous year for the same months.
while the March receipts of 1899 are
only exceeded by those of 1897. The
total receipts from import duties, eN-
port duties, tonnage dues. fines, etc.,
in January, 1893, were $217,07419; in
1894, $229.O19.49; Mn 1895, $1S0,4O4.TS;
in 1896. $193, SOLOS; in 1897. $500, T6l.50;
in 1899. 3S5,3s9.96.
The February conipar isOn is as fol-
lows: Eighteen hundred aad ninety
three, $14S.3O9.51; 1894, S232. 073.51;
1895, S27O,313.5s; in 1896. S191,276.71;
1897, S246.096.40; 1899. S261.s14.2l.
The comparison for March is as fol-
lows: Eighteen hundred and ninety
three, $13O.a41.79; 1894, 234,429.67;
1895. 1928, 263; 1896. $3.50. s60.2 1897,
S35g.33020: 1899, $292. 1914.
As compared with April, 1898, 1894,
1895, 1896 and 1897 (receipts for ls9S
not being available for comparisoD,
the customs receipts at the port of Ma
Mia, for the month OF April. 1899, I'M
der American occupation tower above
the previous years mentioned. as do
the Rockies above the ordinary foot
hills.
Customs receipts for April. 1899.
We're $3s3,9O2.55. For April. 1893, they
We're S27S,527.17. a difference in favor
of April, 1885,. of s105,s75.3s. The re-
receipts of April. 1894, were $3l2, 672.44,
"a difference in favor of 1899 of S71,23O.-
IL. The receipts for 1895 We're $780,
9s2.9O. Il difference in favor of April,
1899, of $197,9t960.
Colony Not a BURDEN.
The total customs receipts from Ma
Mia in January, February, March and
April were $1.32s, 66s.66; for Iloilo, Ss5,-
'96s.22;; Tor Cebu, $l30.357.S0. The ca
BILE receipts for May from all sources
were: Manila, $501.755.s0; lloilo. $751;
200; Cebu, $55.4O0. Total receipts for
the month, S649.375,S0. The, internal
revenue receipts from January to
April 1, were $149.239.61. Gable reports
show the total receipts by ports dur
ing the month Of June to have, been as
follows: Manila, S429,0D0; lloilo, $685.
200; Cebu, $49,s0O. Total. $685.
4 statement of the receipts and en-
penditures for the Philippine Islands
from date of occupation to July IL,
1899. utterly dissipates the notion
that these positions are Likely to prove
n burden to the United Suites. The
grand total of receipts for the period
mentioned was $5.230,50s.1T. The item
lied expenditures thus far accounted
for figure out $2,471, 5G3.93. This leaves
a balance of $2,559,)3J.l4. From
this balance, however, there is to be
deducted the expenses for January.
June and July. The january expendi-
lures, as per cablegram of Gen. Otis
OF Aug. 5 to the department. amount
ed 10 1928, 49509. Deducting this
amount from the above noted balance,
there is balance obtained of S2,435,-
540.05. The departments, estimate of
the expenditures for June and July is
$559,010. 1t will he seen, therefore, that
when the June and July expenditures
are paid there will still be Il balance
on hand of S1,S76.530.05 TO the credit
Of the American administration in the
Philippines. This showing not only
demonstrates that the islands are self
sustaining, but indicates the remark
able commercial possibilities.
The war department officials who
have had to do with the commercial
statistics of the Philippines confess
themselves as amazed at the prospects
of wealth which these islands offer to
the United States! Once there is an
opportunity afforded. through the ex-
istence of peaceful conditions, for the
development Of the resources of these
islands by American enterprise, those
who are in Il position TO judge best are
confident they will prove part of the
most valuable territory embraced
within the domain of the United
States.
Mines of Luzon.
Every day the United States authori-
ties are receiving additional inforna-
ton upon the undeveloped wealth of
these islands. The existence Of rich
gold III the mountains of the Island of
l.uzon is no longer Il matter of specu-
lation. Charles Robinson, an English
| man. who has prospectcd IN Northern
| Luzon, has. organized a company in
| London to work mining claims In the
Provinces Of CamariiIes. Tile range OF
mountains into which he tllnneied is
situated close TO the coast, so that
ships can come to point so near that
the ore can be run from the workings
/ by means of chutes into lighters. MIR.
Robinson stated no the American con
sui general at Honk Kong, thatshe WAS
so hampered by petty cNactions and
dishonest officials under the Spanish
1 ~ - L 4