The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-09
TAFT REPORTS ON
PHILIPPINE FAMINE
But Little Suffering From
Food Shortage.
ANSWER TO GENERAL MILES
Loss of Cattle From Disease Serious
Feature-Agent Buying
Carabao.

Governor Taft has sent to the War De-
partment a reply TO that part of Gener-
al Miles report upon conditions in the
Philippines which was submitted to
him, and referred particularly to the
danger OF famine in the islands. Gov
ernor Taft reviews briefly the agricultur-
al conditions in the Philippines, and
says that there is a shortage OF the
usual food supply, but that he has been
surprised to find little real suffering
from famine. Not a single governor, he
says, of any province has made call
for free distribution of rice, and the
amount which has been gratuitously dis
tributed does not exceed 81, 600 in value.
Some time ago the commission recon-
mended that the people plant corn, to-
matoes, sweet potatoes, rice and other
quickly growing food products, and the
response to this suggestion, he says, did
much to provide against famine The
lack of rain, however, has interfered
with the growth of the crops, and he
expressed the fear that there may be
some suffering In the months of June
and July, but says the insular govern
ment is prepared to meet it with re-
lief. especially now that Congress ap-
propriated $4,000 600 for the purpose.
A Serious Feature.
The most serious feature of the sit
uation, Governor Taft says, Is the loss
of cattle from rinderpest. Thousands
of cqrabao died from the disease, and as
the fields are infested with the pest 1t
is dangerous to bring in others without
first making them immune from the raw
ages or the epidemic.
InSular purchasing agents have, how
ever. been buying carabao in the Yangste
Valley, Chira for Importation into the
Philippines. The price is about SSS.
/ Mexican, and Governor Taft thinks the
price may fall to about $50.
While it will be impossible to supply
as many of these. animals as have died
he thinks sufficient number may be
sold to the natives at $50 a head to
meet the most urgent demand. especially
if the purchasers are permitted TO pay
| only one-half down and are allowed
six months time in which TO pay the re-
mainder.
| Governor Taft tells OF the manner IN
which the insular government broke the
attempt to corner the rice market
/ by purchasing 100000 of the best
lBankok rice which was sold at nearly
cost price to the people. If another at
| tempt is made to corner the market he
says the government will be able to take
! similar mca-- to prevent 1t. In conclu-
| sion Governor Taft says:
| 81 think generally the statement o
| facts in the report OF the neutenan
| general is correct, so far, at least, as th'
dreadful depression in agriculture b.
reason of the loss of the cattle Is con
| cerned. The remedy which he suggests
| by the use of the Government transports
! however. ! do not concur in. The DANCE
! from famine has not been as great al
/ l supposed it was, and as the lieutenan
general was justified in supposing /
was from the reports he heard In an.
event. with the funds provided by Con
gress, I feel confident that the Philip
pine government IS in position u
meet any emergency OF this kind Which
may arise"