Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-21

vAsH1NGToN, January aa-sscretarS
Root to-day transmitted 70 tue senats
and House copies Of 4 petition received
by him throush Governor Taft from
Asuinaldo. the late insurgent leader II
the Philippines. The petition Is remark
able presentation OF the conditions now
existing In the Philippines. and secreta-y
Root fastened 10 send Il to Congress-
because II gees q long way toward sup-
porting the statement he has mads To-
the committees Of that body. and aiso
demonstrates the necessity for p.orapt
and exhaustive action on the part al
Congress 70 prevent disaster and distress
In the archipelago.
The. sscretary's letter Of transmittal
was very short. simply -eciting the chars
acte1 OF the document and alludins ID
the cturssque aid graphic manner Ia
which Aguinaldo has described the cons
ditions IN the Philippines The Secretary
attac les peculiar signiecancs to Aguinas-
70 S profession of a desire 20 do evarys
thing in his power 10 aid the Americana
In carrying out relief measures and de-
veloping the Islands The petition saxzs
In part:
orrows Of the People.
PROFOUNDLY impressed BY the sorrowu
and calamities which anlict my people,
and bearing in mind the good iHteHtipHs5
which have inspired TIE acts Of the civtx
commission, ] have taken heart to present
project OF purely economic character
which. in my opinion. would remedy. if
not completely. at least In great part
the precarious situation Ia which we all
find ourselves.
II propose TO the Honorable Civil Com.
mission to obtain from Congress United
States Treasury loan OF sao.oOaO0o. gold.
In cash, and also credit of $4,000 coo,
gold, which will guarantee the Issue of
paper to serve as money In the islands.
This sum shall be used for the develop
ment and Improvement OF Philippine ag-
rtculture. and shall be- paid within tweYl-
ty years. the payments being m1le IN
three instaiments.
Proposed Bank.
when the loan and credit were ap-
proved, and the aforementioned sum
here In the Philippines. bank could be
opened which might be called the United
States of America Agricultural Philip
pine Bank, and which should be under
the inspection and supervision OF the
AIlouNlI
After the Civil Commission had dic-
tated the proper regulations. and estab-
lished all the necessary safeguards for
the security and stability of the bank.
the bank would begin to operate, make
ing available for the agriculturista suck
sums as they should ask for. In CONF.
pliance with the necessary sormalitleA
at an annual ma ximum interest OF pes
cert. payabIe semi-annualIy.
In case the Filipinos should wish to
acquire the bank BY making Of II a Joint
stock company. without otherwise alter
ing Its organi2a ton and methods. tha
government would concede to them shs
title. without prejudice. to It's right to
require repayment OF the amounts he.
CURED by the foundation of said bankx
OK other necessary expenses.
May BE Called Dream.
1T may be that when this project n
known shall be called an enthusiast
aud a dreamer. and It will be said Z ought
not to involve myself In matters that forcs
me out OF the retired life which have.
intended to follow since my tmprison-
ment. and which. as believe. nothing
that have done has broken into until
the present tine. But the contenpla ton
OF tae. bitter uisfortunes which oppress
this suffering people. exhausted by evils
and calan,ittes without number. obliges
me to leave nay retirement to fulal wha4
I believe to be my duty.
iSignsd) '.Rsspectfully.
EMILIO AGUlNALDo FAMy.
a