The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-08-25

PENT OUT BY THE
WAR DEPARTMENT
u. jerks Has Studied Condi-
tons in the Far East.
lis REPORT IN WASHINGTON
HE DOCTOR HIMSELF HAS JUST
REACHED SAN FRANCISCO.
is REPORT IN WASHINGTON
An FRANCISCO. Aug. al

n AN FRANCISCO, Aug. 24.-Dr.
Jeremiah W. jerks. special COM
missioner of the United States in
be Orient for the war department, and
rofessor of political economy and poll
Il cs in Cornell university, has returned
K ON his years Journey throughout Eu-
*ppe and southeastern Asia, and Is
#pending a few days with friends at
tanford university before ne starts for
he east next Tuesday. This journey
e had undertaken at the call Of the
ar department. having been appoint
n by Secretary Root special commits
oner 10 investigate the workings of
DE currencies of eastern countries,
8heir systems of internal taxation, the
Importance of coolie and Chinese labor
ID work the plantations of the East
Indies. the use of native police and the
Organization of the stabulary-in
General, report upon the internal admin
stration of the Dutch and English pos
#essions ia the far east. The purpose
" the Investigation was to throw all
#he light possible upon the problems
hich confront us in the government
nd Industrial development of the Phil
*ppines. Mr.. Conant, holding a some
Chat similar commission, went to the
Philippines direct and made an inves-
cation of the currency in use among
#he islands. DR.. jerks report in re-
gard TO matters of currency was COM
ieted during his seven weeks stay in
he Philippines and the reports on tax
q ton, imported labor and police con-
rol while he was I'm Japan. The re-
borts are now in the hands Of the Sec
|etary Of war.
Prestige of United States.
Professor jerks found that the pres
ige OF the United States throughout
4 he east had been vastly increased by
he events of the last four years. In
trade, particularly in China. no power
kept England has the future before
Il that the United States has and, COM
<nercially. England herself is likely to
be outstripped by the great republic.
Germany has a vast and rapidly
Growing trade with the east, but her
geographical position win enforce a
Severe handicap upon her in the future
Russia's influence is largely political,
Ind is likely to be confined pretty
strictly to the north.
Following out his instructions. DR.
enks visited the different countries Of
Europe which have colonies in the east,
] 20 learn what their experience might
each in government of the peoples of
! he Orient and trade with them. After
passing some weeks in Egypt he then
JAILED for India, touching at the island
5pf Ceylon. His itinerary and investi-
cations also included Burmah, Java,
zSumatra. the Straits settlement, China,
he Philippines and Japan.
Silver in the Far East.
While in India, the Dutch colonies
IRnd Japan. gold has been declared the
standard of value. silver, except in
Japan, is almost exclusively the me-
Plum of exchange. A parity OF ex-
hange between gold and silver was
Eeached in India about four years ago.
[rhe silver in use throughout the East
ndfes is pretty generally the Mexican
!. rade dollar, or some similar coin dat
Fng back to the old days of Spanish
supremacy in war and trade. A pc
Fuliar state of affairs exists in some
pr the islands. particularly in Sumatra,
|where the Dutch coinage is the official
currency, demanded in taxes and i'm
posts and paid to all government of
|hcials. while the silver money of the
Straits settlements is used exclusively
20 pay the coolie and Chinese laborers
|who work the plantations and in or
binary retail trade.