New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
under such conditions Is enormously II
,sFsus IS is the number of troops required.
-ssse9 - DOrrAps rop po.pc

II ,,rnission has appropriated 81 100000 in gold
!, 6DisoS 6gdlG is To enable fhe Mtary GoT Tr
1 he st build Guch highways as are most needed
II sruor 80 DurpOSes. when constructed they will
4 ~ sIs well for the general uses of the people
~ he desire OF the Commission as rapidly as
\ - 10 push the construction OF substantial and
rsy g5ent highways throughout Luzon and the
tbe and comprehensive plan, large part of
eneissst Of which will be borne by the communi-
CO.'S Immediately benefited.
fsEsf has been sald as 10 ORDINARY highways ap-
4 with additional force 10 railroads. The Ma
60 Dagupan Railroad is at this time the only
u anO m he entire island. 1t was constructed by
geb capitalists, and has been in operation since
| n yeaa and traverses a rather low lying fertile
/ ncass Sensey populated. II was. perhaps, i'm
FogelS number of streams near their mouths
egs required much trestle and bridge work, was
gheh ~ 10 construct This expense il seems
ale 1Isereased by unnecessary requirements OF the
nsh Goyernment as Sot s ~. ~, II apPears 70
ha,s an expensive line TO maintain, by reason OF
30 that several Of the streams, in seasons of
ihf a. overflow their banks and infiict much dam
gs u,Se road has not proved a profitable invest
iscss tg pl would have paid well on a reasonable
pen--orer outlay But while il has not earned a
~ Saen wonderfully beneficial in increasing the
4 ~ 11.tion and wealth of the provinces through
shcn, shcin,ormoGs benefits which would accrue were
n nsoads built in other sections of these islands
1lt are now wholly or partially inaccessible.
s-s-s are extensive Of territory in the in
sSr Of Luzon and Mindanao having a very con-
essrsbe population and capable OF producing to-
sl.o eopra sugar, rice and other tropical prod
wholly
e.ssns OF communication OF any kind with the out
2. world. As a result the natives. having no in
s,iVe 10 produce more than enough for their per-
~ needs do do
s ssre are stin other portions of the interior of
- islands which are now inhabited sparsely
ls in the main by savage tribes. which are nat
INV rich in soil and minerals. A large portion
S1bIs territory is mountainous and was only TO
very limited extent ever under the control OF
- s1anish authorities. The mountainous region
. 1aZon alone covers several thousand square
-gss II spreads out into wide ana broken re-
An interspersed with valleys Wen watered, with
soS grazing for cattle, which are frequently seen
mail herds looking sleek and fat. 1t is believed
~. nearly all the fruits and vegetables of the
y sg respects The same as that Of the province Of
ponguet and would furnish habitat for Ameri-
s an Is lnqaestionably TO be found throughout this
zion in more less abundance variety of min
lie notably copper gold. coal and iron.
These mountains seem to have been largely terra
,,tognita 10 the Spaniards. yet from the very
Trfpd Investigations made by them and from the
.snorts made by our own people who with char
sgerstic energy have been prospecting therein for
hsre are large deposits OF copper, coal and iron.
nd probably gold. which will richly repay develop
T5s great island OF Nindanao seems never 10 have
ven explored by the spaniards' who eontented
sos sa tbe Interior and from their reports are OBJ
assd ,ssd the principal information extant. Since
AaEe ANYTHING like extended exploration because
the disturbed conditions prevailing, but enough
,srors 10 satisfy US that this island is very rich
Esol hardwood timber and minerals and IS per
Esps the richest in the archipelago.
PRESSING NEED OF RAILROADS.
Without further elaboration II will be seen from
vhst has already been said that there is immediate
Wsdanao II is believed that they offer a most
attractive field for investment Of capital. as well
a for men Of small means. The Spaniards seem TO
ave always limited their plans for railroad build
isg 10 The island OF Luzon. Several lines pro
inning one being the extension of the Manila and
Dagupan Railroad along the western coast to the
Northern end OF the island distance of about two
hundred miles; another branches off from the Ma
MIA and Dagupan Railroad at or near Calumpit
Pampanga, crosses the divide between the head
waters OF that river and the headwaters Of the
stream 20 its mouth al Aparri at the northeastern
END Of the island. This line would be something
over three hundred miles in length. II traVerses
section Of LuZon rich agriculturaNy and gener-
The great iCagyaa Valley is said to be the largest
snd richest in LuZon from which comes the greater
pst % me tobacco raised IN Inc me isian9 iiI ms
IS believed Il would pay handsomely from the be-
ginning. Horace Higgins, the general manager OF
bis company would be glad 10 build this road at
once and is prepared TO do so upon the grant of
There is another line OF road. much talked of
EHd projected under the Spanish regime. beginning
Al Manila and running at first in a southwesterly
dection near the coast line and then southeast
ward through the provinces OF Cavite, Laguna
Tayshas Camarines and Albay 10 Sorsogon al the
southern end OF the island. This line would be
about two hundred miles in length 1t would run
through a rich, densely populated country would
be difficult or expensive TO build and ii is be-
A line has also been projected from Manila east
ward and southeastwardy, running along the
port on Lamon Bay. This port is said TO ne the
best IN the islands landlocked affOrding shelter
N any weather and with a depth sufficient TO en-
aae vessels Of heavy draught to approach close TO
s1oe q. Win M this nne 6uiit the distance from Ma
about hundred miles. The line would pass
through number OF large towns and rich and
isule country, and II is believed would be imme-
csey profitable
As has already been indicated there have been
surveys for railroads In the island OF Mndanao,
Z Is virgin field well worthy Of thorough and
The Islands OF Panay, Negros and Cebu would
sso be much benefited by short lines Of railroads
They are densely populated, produce copra. sugar,
etc, and offer an attractive field for investors.
Is believed that were the Commission I'm a
,Asse lines in Luzon could and would be built by
sefegn capital Commercially speaking these
sands have for generations been largely IN the
hands Of English and German merchants with
Spanish connections, and they know and appreciate
cons, however, had the Commission the power 10
Eske such grants, ii would hesitate 10 do until
treFed Americans
The Commission early reached the conclusion
y, sst y had no authority 10 grant franchises for
nc construction OF railroads or for any other pur-
.se ana hence II has done nothing in this direc-
~ ~ numerous applications have been made for
.eseessions 10 build steam and electric railroads
IL sne also electric light gas, telephone and other
sni;ar plants, both in Manila and other portions
C, y me archipelago but for the reason stated the
,Sbnnssion has uniformly declined TO consider
The Commission is of the opinion that so soon as
lsH the power 10 act on applications OF this char
sser sound policy dictates the granting Of fran
shses for work OF internal Improvements, and the
'ssuits OF such policy will be most fortunate.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
ne tne total amount Of land in the Philippine
ssnas is approximately q 694, 800 hectares, a.
ae sS acres: or this amount IL is estimated that
ul esyul z0eo00 hectares or about 4s40000 acres are
~ ~ by individuals. leaving in public lands a.,
h.p hectares or S405.4l5 acres. The land has not
~ surveyed, and these are merely estimates. OF
pubilc land there are about two three times
s. S much forest land as there is waste land. The
ssn y most fertile and for the greater part natu-
lsrS LIisated. There was a great demand for this
g. 60 out owing 10 the Irregularities, frauds and
Fbsslh Fbss N the Spanish system the natives generally
ie1IsSo ieSo.ed Efforts to secure good title and con-