New-York tribune., 1900-12-24
AFFAIRS IN PHILIPPINES
CIVIL ADMINISTRATION IN THE IsI,aNns
sUNIMARzED-cURRENCY. TARIFF
IMMIGRATION AND JUDI
CIAL QUESTIONS
CIAL QUESTIONS.

washington. Dec 23.-The War na,a~.-,..
has made public a series OF renor+s
General Macarthur by the subordinate ,s....
constituting the heads OF the various bureaus
and departments which have adrninisterea +bo
civil affairs of the Philippine Islands in the last
year These are closely but sufficiently s,,m-
married IN The report Of Leutenant-Colonel
croToer' 0Sth infantry. secretary TO the Military
Governor. Under the head OF the Treasury ne
psrtment It is said that the probIav, % sar,-s,.
E stable currency has never approached a See
inite solution In the Philippines though II had
not pressed for immediate settlement until "a
Gently, when United States and Mexican dollars
were for few days evenly exchanged. This
was terminated by provisional order whereby,
the Government arranged 10 reimburse the
banks for any losses they might sustain through
paying out Mexican silver for United States cur-
rency from disbursing officers and trade. Doubt
is expressed however. as TO the desirability of
continuing this arrangement
The customs service is discusss5 ~ ,o-,a
length in the report, and it is stated that there
does not seem 10 be any present necessity for
an increase in the number Of ports OF entry.
Attention is directed TO the marked increase in
the customs receipts under American manage
nent This is explained IN part by the fact
that formerly q large part OF the imports came
from Spain and paid duties; also the Arneri-
system OF collection is said TO tend TO honest
collections. The new tariff adopted for the ISL
ands is set out IN detail In almost every case
specific duties are fixed, following the estab-
lished system IN the islands, which II was be-
Eeved 10 be dangerous 70 change to the ad
vsIoren system.
The extension Of the United States irnmigra-
ton laws 10 the islands without substantial
change TO meet the local conditions is said TO
have proved OF doubtful expediency, and es-
pecially so with regard 10 the Contract Labor
Law. II is essential, says the report, for the
mercantile interests 20 secure employees from
abroad under contract, else business VIII suffer
These laborers do not come into competition
With the native residents. More than twenty
Eve thousand Chinese entered and left the ISL
ands last year. Only one-ninth OF the land IN
the archipelago has been brought under cultiva-
ton, and there is no land tax
Regarding the judicial department, It early
was found 70 be necessary to provide a system
which would be dfvested OF those harsh and
oppressive features so much IN conflict with
American standards. II was impossible. for lack
of time, 20 supply entirely new system, so
some changes regarded as indispensable were
made by q general order. Il appears that the
operations Of the law thus qualified have
been satisfactory N securing TO defendants IN
criminal cases the fundamental rights OF Anglo
The writ OF habeas corpus has been frequently
invoked. and under its speedy operation nearly
one hundred prisoners, the heritage OF Spanish
regime. have been liberated from unwarranted
detention. Colonel CrOwder thoroughly indorses
the recommendation OF Lieutenant Burrttt. in
charge OF the mining bureau, looking 10 a thor
ough change IN the mining laws. He says that
thsseare extremely cumbersome. and when once
r1ey are brought I'D TO American standards the
mineral condition Of the country viii be
enormously improved, as experienced prospec-
tors and competent mining engineers now in the
Islands stand ready to undertake the work OF
exploitattnn-
Colonel cro~der closes with a. summary Of the
report OF General J. 2. Smith. Military Governor
OF Negros, showing that this island, which has
had under the entire period OF American control
a substantially autonomous form Of government,
has progressed IN marked and favorable contrast
VI IN the other islands. The attitude OF the peo-
pie is highly favorable toward the United States.
and the largely autonomous government which
they now enjoy seems 70 be their fitting reward,
and the people are naturally desirous that It
should be continued But II viii be impossible
10 discriminate in favor Of Negros, the report
says IN the scheme OF government 10 be ulti-
rnately adopted. that complications are ex-
pected not easy OF adjustment