The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-25
AFFAIRS OF THE ORIENT
DIR. j. w. JENKS RETURNS FROM AN
EXTENDED INVESTIGATION.
Trade, Labor and Financial Condi-
tiOns i'm the Far East Examined for
the Washington Government.

SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 24.-Dr. ]. w.
jerks, special commissioner of the United
States in the Orient for the War Depart
ment, and professor of political economy
and politics in Cornell University, has
turned from his years journey throughout
Europe and southeastern Asia, and is
spending a few days with friends at Stan
ford University. He will start for the
East next Tuesday. His journey was un-
dertaken at the call of the War Depart
ment, he having been appointed by Secre-
tary Root special commissioner to investi
gate the workings of the currency of east
ern countries, their system of internal tax
alton, the importation of coolie and Chinese
labor to work the plantations of the East
Indies, the use of the native police and the
organization of the constabulary; in gen.
eral, TO report on the internal administra-
ton of the Dutch and English possessions
in the far East. Tho purpose of the inves-
tigation was to throw all the light possible
upon the problems which confront us in the
government and industrial development OF
the Philippines.
Mr.. Conant, holding a somewhat similar
commission, went to the Philippines direct
and made an investigation of the currency
in in the Philippines. DR.. Jenks's re-
port in matters of currency was completed
during his seven weeks stay in the Philip
pines, and the reports on taxation, import
ed labor and police control while he was
in japan.
These reports are now in the hands of
the secretary of war. Professor jerks
found that the prestige Of the United States
throughout the East has been vastly in
creased by the events of the last four years.
In trade, particularly in China, no power
except England has the future before it
that the United States has, and CONNER
cially England herself is likely soon 10 be
outstripped by the great republic
Germany has vast and rapidly growing
trade with the East but her geographical
position will enforce a severe handicap on
her in the future. Russian influence is
largely political, and is likely to be confined
strictly to the north.
Following out his instruction. DIR. jerks
visited the different countries of Europe
with colonies in the East, 10 learn what
their experience might teach in govern
trade with them. After passing some
weeks in Egypt ne then sailed for India.
touching at the Island of Ceylon. His itin-
erary and Investigations also included
Burmah, Java and Sumatra, the Straits
Settlement, China. the Philippines and
Japan. While in India the Dutch colonies
and Japan gold has been declared the
standard, silver, except in Japan, is almost
exclusively the medium of exchange par
of exchange between gold and silver was
reached in India about four years ago.
The silver in use throughout the East In
dies is pretty generally the Mexican trade
dollar and some similar coin dating back
10 the old days Of Spanish supremacy in
war and trade.
A peculiar state of affairs exists i'm some
of the islands. particularly in East Sumatra,
where the Dutch coinage is the Official cur
rency demanded in taxes and imposts and
paid 10 all government officials while the
silver money Of the Straits Settlements is
used TO pay the coolies and Chinese Ia
borers who work the plantations and in or
dinary retail trace