The Savannah morning news., 1900-12-24
in THE PHILIPPINES
CONDITIONS THERE REPORTED ny
GgN. MAO ARTHUR.
CIVIL QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.
TuB CUHHENyY PROBLEM ONE
WHICH NEEDS TO BE SETTLED.

4 Large Incrensc tn Customs Re-
ccipts Undcr American Manage
mcnt-I nitcd states ImpsiR ratton
Laws Not suited 60 the Islands.
NeEro- HAS Made Marked Progress
Indcr American Control and the
People Are Wen rIeascd with the
Present Form Of Governments
Washington. Dec g3-Thc War Depart
mcnt has made pubic series Of reports
made to Gen. Macarthur by tae sub
ordinate officers constituting the heads o.
the various bureaus and Departments
which have administered the civi affairs
OF the Philippine ls'ands during the last
Senr These are sufficiently bat c.osely
summarized Ia the report OF Lieut. Co
CroWdcr. Thirty ninth Infantry. g. the
military governor
Under the head OF the treasury depnrt-
mcDt. Il is said that the problem OF se-
curing stable currency has newer ap-
preached definite solution IA the phl-
ippincs. though it has not pressed FOR
immediate settlement until very recently,
when United States and Mexican dollars
were for "a few days evenly exchanged.
Thls was tcrminated by provisional or
der whereby thc government arranged a.
reimburse the banks for any losses they
might sustain through paying out Next
eau silver for United States currency
from dlsbursing officers and trade. Doubt
Is expressed. however as 20 Tho desifRbil-
icy Of continuing this arrangement The
customs service is discussed at some
length in the report. and it iu stated that
there does not seem 10 be any present ne
cessity FOR an increase IN tho number
Of ports OF entry. Attention is directed
to the marked Increase In the customs re
ceipts under American management THIS
is explained IA part by the fact that for
merry a large part OF the imports came
from Spain and paid no duties. Also the
American .sys,em Of collection Is said to
tend to honest collections.
The new tarin adopted for the island
Is set out in detail In almost every ease
specific duties are nxed. following the es-
tablished system Ia the islands. which IL
was believed 60 br dangerous 10 change
TO the ad yalorcm system
The extension Of the United states i'm
migration laws 70 the ialend eithsat st'ss-
stantial change to meet the local condl-
lions IS said 10 have proved OF doubtful
cxpediency. and especially 10 with regard
90 the contract labor law. IL Is essential
~ says the report. for the mercantile in
tercsts 20 secure employees from abroad
under contract. else business will suffer.
These laborers do not come into compefi-
/ ton Win me native residents More than
/ $40 Chinese entered and left the islands
last year. only one-ninth OF the land in
the archipelago has been brought under
cultivation and there is no laud tax.
Regarding the judicial department it
was found necessary 90 provide a system
which would be divested Of those harsh
aud oppressive features 80 much In con-
dict With American standards. 10 was i'm
possible for lack of time to supply an
I entirely rev system. - some changes
| regarded az Indispensable were made by
a general order II appears that the oper-
I ations Of the law a. thus qualified have
.;es:. satisfactory L. securing - @eaesnt-
ants IN criminal cases the fundamental
I rights OF Ana Saxon criminal Law The
/ Rrit OF habeas corpus has been frequent
/ ~ invoked. and under fts speedy opera
tlou nearly 100 prisoners. the heritage Of
] Spanish regime, have been liberated from
unwarranted detention
! Col cf0wder says chat once the mining
laws are brought up 70 American stan
/ dards the mineral condition Of the couu-
cry will soon b. enormously improved. as
experienced prospcctors and competent
mining engineers now la the Islands stand
ready to undertake tho work OF explolta-
| tion-
Gen j. r. Smith. military governor Of
NegrOs. which island has had under the
entire period OF American control. a sub
/ stantially autonomous form Of govern
mont. reports that u has progressed iu
marked and favorable contrast with the
/ other islands The atsltude Of the people
/ in highly favora bic toward the United
States. and the largely autonomous gov
ernment which they now enjoy seems 70
be their nttlng reward. and the people are
naturally dcslrous chat u should be oon-
unuod. But IL viii be impossible 10 dis
criminlte Ia favor OF Negros. the report
says. iu the scheme OF government to be-
ultimately adopted. 80 that complications
are expected not easy of adjustment