The age-herald., 1900-12-24
AFFAIRS IN FAR
 AWAY PHILIPPINES Reports of Subordinate Officers
 of Civil Government THE CURRENCY QUESTION Customs Receipts Have Largely h. creased Under American Manage ment-other Reforms Which
 Are Highly Pleasing to All
THE CURRENCY QUESTION

Washington, December 23.-The War Department has made public series of reports made to General Macarthur by the subordinate officers constituting the heads of the various bureaus and departments which have administered the civil affairs of the Philippine Islands during the last year. These are closely summarized in the report of Lieutenant Colonel Crowder, Thirty-ninth Infantry, secretary of the military Governor
 Under the head of the treaty depart ment it is said the problem of securing a stable currency in the Philippines has never reached a climax Several plans were terminated by provisional orders whereby the government began the reim- bursements of the loss sustained by the banks through paying out Mexican silver for United States currency from dsburs- ing officers. Trouble is expected, however, as to the desirability of continuing this ar engagement.
 The customs service is discussed at some length in the report and it is stated that there does not seem to be any present ne- cessity for an increase in the number of posts of entry. Attention is directed to the marked increase in the customs receipts under American management. This is ex- plained in part by the fact that formerly large part of the imports came from Spain and paid no duties Also the Ameri- can system of collection is said to tend to honest collections. The new tariff adopted for the island Is set out in detail In al- most every case specific duties are fixed following the established system in the is- lands which it was believed to be danger ous to change to the advalorem system.
 The extension of the United States emil grafton laws to the island without substan- tial change to meet the local condition is said to have proven of doubtful expediency and especially so with regard to the con- tract labor law It Is essential, says the re- port, for the mercantile interests to secure employees from abroad under contract, else business will suffer. These laborers don't come into competition with the native res- idents
 Regarding the judicial department it early was found to be necessary to provide system which would be divested of those ha. sn and oppressive features so much in conflict with American standards. It was impossible for lack of time to supply an entirely new system, some changes re- garded as indispensable were made by a general order
 The writ of habeas corpus has frequently been invoked and under its speedy opera t'nn nearly one hundred prisoners, the heritage of the Spanish regime, have been hLeiated from unwarranted detention.
 Colonel Crowder closes with a summary of the report of Gen. J. F. Smith, military governor of Negros, showing that this is and which has had, under the entire period of American control, a substantially au- tonomous form of government, has prog ressed in marked and favorable contrast with the other islands. The attitude of the people is highly favorable towards the United States and the largely autonomous government, which they now enjoy, seems to be their fitting reward. and the people are naturally desirous that it should be continued.