The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
NEEDS OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Business Interests Want Permanent
Civil Government Established.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
MANILA, Feb. 22-The news that civil
government is soon to be established in
the Philippines gives the greatest salts
faction to all residents. Cablegrams came
last week to two Manila newspapers an
nouncing that President Mckinley would
send commission to begin work some
substantial form of government and
military censor suppressed the messages,
but the news was too vitality important
to be kept secret and it had spread about
the city almost as as the dispatches
were locked in the censor's desk. About
the same time, but without knowledge that
commission coming the American
Chamber of Commerce cabled to the Pres
ident the following message: Respect
fully urge immediate action substituting
American laws for Spanish. reduction
where duties are excessive; adjustment of
shipping regulations so American vessels
may operate in coasting trade without re-
quiring resident ownership"
There is a general desire based on both
commercial and political reasons for the
speedy establishment of some form of per-
manent government. The view held by in
telligent Filipinos who have held aloof from
or have deserted the Instruction is that
the most effective step toward restoring
peace and prosperity will be to let the
people know what government and what
laws they are to live under and what voice
they are to have in the conduct of the new
machinery.
Residents declare they find the Ameri-
can administration even more vexatious
and hampering to business than the Span
ish was. for the reason that the Ameri-
cans try to enforce by the book all the
laws which they find, whereas during the
former regime many of the most unreason-
able statutes had fallen into disuse. Vari-
Gus sort of petty taxes which the Spaniards
did not use are now revived. The sum
total of taxation is greater than under the
Spaniards
The most urgent demand of the business
men is for tariff revision. The Spanish
| tariffs upon imports were almost prohibit
| tive against every country except Spain,
whose products were charged only a nomi-
nal rate. The purpose of the system
| Spanish control of commerce-was realized,
but the products of Spain could be bought
at reasonable rates. The American gov
eminent has abolished the discrimination
| in SPANS favor. but has retained the other
rates of the Spanish tariff even against
goods from the United States. so that the
| cost of all imported articles is much
greater than before American control 1t
| is significant of the increased tariff that
| the rates therefrom have been much
| greater during the American occupation
| than any time during the Spanish rule,
| only two or three ports outside of Manila
| have been open, trade with most of the in
| terror has been suspended and supplies
| for the army entered free.
Partly on account of war conditions and
| partly on account of the uncertainty what
| legislation Congress may enact, many en-
\ terprises are at a stardstill. The big in
| flow of American capital which was ex-
1 pected, has failed to appear and intend
| ing investors who visit the islands go
| home to await developments. frequent
remark among business men is, I'VE wish
1 Congress would stop talking about the
good government it's going TO give the
Philippines and begin to give us some
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