Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-03
An official Report TO the French Coy
ernnlcnt InOn Ii.

According TO the Indianapolis Senti-
mel. NJ de Berard, the French consul
al Manila, in an official report to the
French government communicated by
it to the Paris Chamber OF Commerce.
says:
Il have 10 report that the spleudid
future predicted for the inhabitants
of the Philippines in 1898 by the Amer
leans both here at Manila and in the
newspapers of the United States has
not yet been realized. The situation Of
the Filipinos is at present very much
inferior to what it was in the past
Instead of the agricultural prosperity
which was promised and the establish
ment of new industries equipped with
the latest scientific devices and inn
provements, and of the enormous in
crease of commercial affairs in this
city. and on the island, what do we see
to-day?
Agriculture paralyzed by the insur-
rection and military operations: the
properties of the former inhabitants
devastated or destroyed, presenting a
sombre picture which causes one to re-
greet period of cultivation which, al
though primitive in it's methods, was
productive; industries which have
yielded fortunes to natives and to for
eigners now scarcely in a condition 10
be exploited after the forced Interrupt
tion of their operations | allude now
to those industries which have not
been entirely ruined.
With regard to commerce, a whole
year has passed while the great mer-
camille houses as well as the modest
establishments have been practically
unable to do business. This has in
volved the business community in a
series of losses from which many will
not be able to recover. while the coun
try has been overrun by band of adj
yenturers who have come to exploit the
people.
The tariff regulations weigh more
heavily on all the vital affairs of the
country with a multiplicity of formali-
ties and expense which would render
benefits illusory even if prices had not
been augmented in proportion. The re-
sulting economic situation is very per-
ilous for the country and its inhabit-
ants.
Such is the balance sheet for the
year 1859. What will be that of the
year 1900? Will the Philippines re-
enter upon an area of political calm
which is indispensable in order that
all branches of agricultural industry
and comeroe may resume normal ac7
tivity? With the instruction van
pushed, will it not be succeeded by
bands of guerrillas who will spread ter
ror in the provinces and destroy all
security for the peaceful and law
abiding inhabitants? The reply is
easy 1t is useless for Europeans to
think of establishing themselves in
any other points than Manila and the
ports of Iloilo and Cebu. Merchants
and traders may hope without danger
to do some business in these towns,
and little by little they may extend
their operations into the interior If
the promised pacification becomes a
reality.
The struggle between the products
of the United States and those OF the
nations which have hitherto controlled
the trade of the Philippines has now
lasted eighteen months, and the Amer
leans have not yet succeeded in con-
quering the ground which they expect
ed TO capture almost entirely without
difficulty Their insuccess should in
spire confidence among foreign manu-
facturers, and the efforts of the latter
to introduce their products in the Ma
Mia markets should be continued with
cleverness and prudence