The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-04
MAsBATE IMPOVERISHED.

Correspondence Of ssociated Press.)
PALANOG, Island Of Masbate. Mch.
IS.-The ravages Of the rinderpest had
left the island OF Masbate In a deplo-
rable condition. as the United States
Philippine commission learned when
thew arrived yesterday for the purpose
Of organizing provincial government
Of the three islands OF Masbate. Ticao
and Burias.
The chief industry OF Masbate has al
ways been the raising OF beef cattle
and. during Spanish days. Manila de-
rived her supply OF meat from that
island. Within the past few months
practically all the cattle and cariboos
on the entire island had been swept
away by the pest.
When the troops Of Colonel Hare's dis
trict came to occupy the town Of Pa
lanog. eight mon tbs ago the Inhabitants
fed after burning most OF the houses
The little place OF about 800 population
is recovering very slowly from these
disasters and more so as all the people
are impoverished on account Of the
cattle misfortunes. There is to date not
a public school in the three islands A
new one is being built at Palanog. how
ever. and American teachers will soon
be in charge.
Delegations came to the commission
session from all parts Of Masbate, a
few from Ticao and none from the large
but rather barren island of Burias. to
the northwari, The men appeared TO
be fairly intelligent. considering their
comparative isolation. but were rather
hopeless about any prospect OF immedi-
ate improvement in their business con-
ditions. The only insurgents remaining
in these Islands are a few detached
bands OF wandering ladrones and fed
eral party branch recently organized.
President Taft, on behalf OF the rep
resentatives Of the United States gov
ernment. made an explanatory address
which, except in his reference TO the
poverty Of Masbate, was similar 20 those
made at all points visited.
Bonificio Serrano, candidate for COVER
nor. addressed the commission, saying
that although there was plenty Of land
in Masbate II was not sufficiently culti-
waited to meet the necessities Of the
provincial government He
declared that IL the people were taxed
on the lands now or shortly they would
fail to raise money. Said he:
THE owners OF .he lani only raise
sweet potatoes enough to eat and there
are some rice paddles"
Judge Taft asked:
do not the private lands have val
ues? What is good cattle land worth?"
Serrano answered:
Good situated and well con1i.inred
land Is worth about three pesos per
hectare. A fourth Of fifth Of the land OF
this island is private holdings. mostly
pasture land. There IS little private
wood land and very little cocoanut
raising. most OF It being on the island
Of Ticao"
Responding to questions Serrano said:
Before the pest. cattle were ;he stan
dard product Of .he island, $4,000 10 sftG0
worth being shipped annually. A tax
was levied in the Spanish time on each
head shipped to Manila; also on ship
ments Of copra, The average value Of
the cattle placed on board was about |
$50 Mexican money. Three-fourths Of the
cattle are now dead and the rest af-
fected."
All the testimony on the subject Of
mems wages placed them at % to 50
cents Mexican per day and food. Po-
licemen received A to IS Mexican per
month.
Responding to questions. Serrano said |
that his people did not expect to attain |
their former condition of prosperity for |
Ten wears. He acknowledged that the |
timber was a considerable asset and |
could be exported at good prices; also
that cocoanut trees and tobacco grew