Arizona republican., 1902-03-29

rect bearing on the SILVER silver interests" of FOR THE the west that the PHILIPPINES. action Of congress
 on the matter will be noted with interest by the people of the Rocky Mountain states and terri tories. If the plan is carried out the larger demand for silver bullion will undoubtedly cause an advance in the market price. The action of the sen ate committee on the Philippines, or rather the subcommittee which has the currency question in hand, will probably determine the policy of the senate, and if the senate decides in fa- Vor of the new dollar, the house Of representatives vii doubtless adopt the idea. Senator Allison is chairman of the subcommittee, and while he has not committed himself, so far as we have noted. there appears to be good reason to believe that he and the en- tire committee are favorable to tho proposed coinage.
 Silver will always circulate as the current coin in the orient and it seems to be generally recognized at Washing ton that it necessary to continue the silver standard in the Philippines. The American-Philippine dollar would sup plant the Mexican dollar as the stand ard in general use, and would circulate throughout the east with the British Bombay dollar. Some of the men best posted on Philippine affairs argue that the commercial salvation of the islands depends upon a practical settlement of the currency problem, and that the pro- posed dollar will be the best solution.
 Any measure which will provide a larger market for silver without dis turbing the gold standard will always have the hearty approval of western republicans, and the pending proposi ton will appeal to them with great force. Discussing the subject a few days ago, Senator Warren of Wyoming was quoted as saying:
 I have always maintained, in discuss ing the Philippine question, that our possessions in the orient would afford us safe and proper opportunity for the disposition of our surplus silver. The oriental people have always had silver as their standard, for gold is scarce metal with them, and they ara a poorer people than we, so that silver is adequate for their needs. I want hA circulate in the east on an equality with the British silver dollar. We are a world power now, and we must take our place in the east. We will help ourselves out there and yet do no harm to ourselves at home by adopting the plan suggested by the Philippine com mittee.
 Democrats would like to object. of course, but they are unable to suggest a reason why this new outlet for sil- yer should not be provided. Senator Martin of Virginia characteriZes the suggestion as ''one of the shrewdest and most adroit moves which has yet been made by the republicans" and says he does not see how democrats can escape giving it their support. II have always believed remarked Senator Tillman, that the Rocky Mountain and Pacific coast states favored the re- tention of the Philippines, but I am sure these states will be riveted to the republican column if this plan for dis posing of American silver in the Phil ippines is enacted into law" Senator Teller is quoted as saying that he also appreciated how much the latest re- publican idea meant for that party, but he could not see how it could be op- posed by any one acquainted with the oriental situation. It remains to be seen what objections will be raised by the democratic politicians of Arizona.
 The new American-Philippine silver dollar, when it is coined, will be Of 41G grains, as against 412 grains in the standard silver dollar circulating in this country. It will bear upon one side the American eagle. or some other emblematic device. while upon the other side will be designs indicative of its use in the Philippine islands. IL has not yet been decided whether it will be coined in this country or in Manila. There is a mint in the latter city, but it is not a modern institution, and there is no doubt that the San Francisco and the Denver hints will make a much finer coin and at much less expense than the Manila mint.
 The American dollar is to circulate like the British dollar, at its bullion value, but members of the committee say that the flctuation in silver is not wide enough to create trouble. The British dollar passes current through out the orient without the least diff culty.
 Writing in the National Geographic Magazine. c. c. Georgeson, of Sitka, special agent of the department of az