The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-03-05
WOES OF FIL.IPIN0S.
Esfortnses Of the People Of the
Island Enumerated.
SUBJECT OF A MESSAGE TO SENATE
Congress Urged to Givs Immediate
Attention to the Matter and Grant
the Relief Prayed For.

Washington, Special.-The President
late has sent the following message to
the Senate:
"I have just received a cable from
Governor Taft which runs as follows:
Necessity for passage Of the House
tasiff bin Is most urgent. The condi-
tions of productive industry and busi-
ness are considerably worse than in
November, the date of last report. and
are growing worse each month. There
Is some, revival in sugar and tobacco
prices doe to expectation Of tariff law.
The interests of Fiiipinos in sugar and
tobacco Is extensive and the failure OF
the bill will be blow in face OF those
interests. A number Of tobacco fac
tfcries will have to close, and many
sugar haeiendas will be put up for
sah at sacrifice II the bill does not
pass. Customs receipts have fallen on
this month one-third, showing de-
crease OF purchasing power Of the ISL
ands. General business is stagnant. All
political parties including labor un-
ions are most strenuous in petition for
the tariff bill. The effect OF its failure
would be very discouraging."
: The President endorsed all that Gov
ernor taft has said, land hopes for a
substantial reduction in the tariff levi
ed against Philippines goods coming
into the United States.
'T very earnestly ask that this mat
ter receive the immediate attention or
Congress and that the relief prayed for
be granted he says. LAS Congress
knova. o series of calamities have be
fallen the Philippine people. Just as
they were emerging from years OF
deyastating war, with the accompany
ing destr1tion OF property and break
ing I'D Of the bonds of social order and
the habits Of peaceful industry, there
occurred an epidemic OF rinderpest
which destroyed 80 per cent OF the
Canaoas, the Filipino cattle. leaving
the people without draft animals to till
the lands, or to aid in the ordinary
work on the farm. At the same time a
peculiar Oriental horse disease became
epidemic further crippling transporta-
ton. The rice crop, already reduced by
various causes to but fourth Of its
ordinary size, has been damaged by 10
Gusts, so that the price Of rice has
nearly aoubled
Under these circumstances, there is
Imminent danger Of famine in the ISL
ands. Congress is in course OF gener-
ously appropriating $S.000,0O0 to meet
The immediate needs; but the indus
pensable and pre-eminent need is the
resurrection of productive industry
from the prostration into which 1t has
heen thrown by the causes above en-
umerated. ] ask action In the tarin
matter, net merely from the standpoint
OF wise governmental policy, but as
measure Of humanity in response to an
appeal to which this great people
should not close its ears. We have as
sufned responsibility towards the Phil
ippine Islands which we are in honor
bound to, fulfill. We have the specific
duty Of taking every measure in our
power to see to their prosperity. .
. The oRlamities which have befallen
them as above enumerated could have
been ayerted by no human wisdom.
They cannot be completely repaired;
but the suffering can be greatly alevi-
.ated and permanent basis Of future
prosperity assured II the economic re-
lations Of the islands with the United
States are put upon a satisfactory
basis
tsigneD
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
~White House, Feb. q, 1893"