Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-23

times carabaos on this plantation were only
worth about SO in gold.
Under the most favorable circumstances.
with laws encouraging the development Of
agriculture, 1t will require approximately
five years to fully revive the agricultural
industry. Under the present law. which
has paralyzed every agricultural interest
in the islands. the development of the Phil
ippines will be indefinitely delayed.
Effect of Ownership Restriction.
''The present law. as l have stated. linn
it's the ownership Of land by corporations
to $500 acres. 1t Is known to every one
who has made even a superficial study of
the business that 2,50O-acre plantation
will not furnish enough cane to economical
ly operate a modern sugar plant. Under
the operations of this unfortunate law men
who are rich in lands but without money
have been unable to get corporate interests
to equip their plantations with modern
sugar plants. Thus it will be seen that this
law, which was enacted by Congress for
the benevolent purpose Of protecting the
Filipino people against the selfish exploita-
ton of promoters, has been the unfortunate
cause of bringing the laborers who have
been employed for years in the sugar fields
to the verge of starvation.
1T has not only prevented the legitimate
development of the islands, such as the
reclamation Of virgin lands which would
have given additional employment to labor
ers but It. has by its severe restrictions
made it impossible for the Filipino who
suffers some great loss. such the
death Of his carabaos, to pledge more than
$500 acres, no matter how large his plan
tation may be. as security to any corpora
ton that will lend him the money to buy
a new equipment. Thus the owner of every
plantation which suffers a serious loss must
see his land revert to a tropical wilderness
unless he has a bank account sufficiently
large to repair the loss, whether 1t be in
animals or equipment.
1.-The first evil effects of this law fell on
6xacf0 yn IN
help; the next to suffer were the planters
who were chiefly Filipinos; and, finally, by
reason of preventing the reclamation and
development Of lands suitable for growing
sugar it greatly retarded the general trade
and commerce of the islands. Thus the
law was a misfortune to all.
Praise for Gov. Taft.
when Gov. Taft was stricken down with
illness and left the islands a little more
than year ago, feeling of possible failure
was SO strong that many believed he would
never return. but while he was absent.
under the genial and able administration OF
Vice Gov. Wright the benevolent policy or
Gov. Taft had time to develop itself to the
satisfaction of all the people OF the Phil-
ippines. The ovation rendered MIN on MS
return to Manila has not been surpassed IN
four centuries in Philippine history. Such
a demonstration might be expected in honor
of some victorious conqueror returning to a
chivalrc people. but history furnishes no
record OF any Suce ovation 10 ciFi sos-
ernor appointed by foreign power 10 raie
an alien people.
Gov Taft, as stated. has won the conf
dence of the Filipinos by liberation OF their
weaknesses patience with their vices. for
piyeness for their offenses; by innumerable
proofs of his affection and his sincere de-
sire to help them to better things; by mis-
confident belief that the Fiiipinos were a
capable people who. If patiently taught the
art of wise self-government, would be able
ultimately to govern themselves. The gov
ernor has also won the confidence OF Amer
leans and Europeans. Every business man
In the islands rich or poor. has equal OPP
portunities before the departments. equal
rights before the law. 1t is impossible with
Justice to single out any particular branch
of the Philippine government for favorable
mention where so many others deserve high
praise. The truth is that Gov. Taft's claim
to public gratitude does not rest on rev.
notable achievements. The history OF his
whole administration is the record OF q
great work faithfully done"