The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-11-23
TARIFF TOO HIGH,
SAYS EDWARDS
Reduction Of Dinglsy Schedules
Needed for Philippines.
OFFICIAL REPORT is MADE
STORY OF DEVELOPMENT ON IS
LANDS DURING YEAR.

Washington. Nov. 22.-The develop
ment OF the Philippine islands during
the past year is displayed in the an
nuaI report Of Colonel Clarence r. Ed
wards, chief Of the bureau Of insular
affairs Of the war department, made
public today. The accomplishment Of
greatest Importance TO the islands dur
ing the year has been the successful
launching Of the new fiscal system. BY
January next the new system will be
IN complete operation. The new cir
culation medium consists Of $4,000. 900
pesos in fractional silver coins and TO-
000000 coins in paper money. To estab-
lish the new system and purchase the
silver coinage two issues Of bonds were
made Of $1,000, COO cash. both Of which
were sold at q premium The proceeds
OF the sale Of these bonds were de-
posted and drew interest at the rate Of
3ls per cent, so that the government
actually made money by going into
debt
Colonel Edwards emphasizes the ne
cessity Of a reduction Of the DiDgiey
tariff rates for the encoura cement Of
trade between the United States and
the Philippines. There is an active de-
sire on the part of the Philippines
commercial interest. he says. for tariff
concessions. and tho report states that
tEe same desire has been evinced by
She same interests in this country. The
chief exports Of the islands to the
United States are sugar, tobacco. hemp
and copper. The latter two cOmmodi-
ties are already on the free list.
Must Fly American Flag.
Aside from the tariff question. the
r- he
enforcement Of the congressional act
requiring The carrying trade between
the United states and the Philippines,
as well as the Coastwise trade Of the
islands TO bee confined strictly to YES
sells carrying the American flag after
July I next AT the present time Phil
iDpiue commerce is carried iH British
ships to the extent of SO per cent Of
he foreign trade Of the islands. other
rorCiEH vessels carried practically the
remainder of this commerce. leaving
only per cent To- American vessels. A
feet or 40 least eighteen ships is being
eOnet ructed and the prediction is made
shat despite the apprehension now felt,
American shins viii be ready 10 take
the place Of foreign vessels without
seriously inconveniencing the shipping
interests The enforcement of this
act. however. with reference to the
coastWi9e trade. presents a much more
difficult problem. There are now 4,l29
vessels ENGAGED i'm the Coastvise trade
Of the islands. OF this number only
twenty-five are American ships. With
the whole number Of ships now par
ticipating I'm this trade. the tonnage Is
said TO be entirely inadequate and the
passenger service w-etched.
1t is suggested that the building of
light draft vessels to participate i'm this
carrying trade presents a splendid OPP
portunity for the profitable investment
OF American capital and the uncertain
ty as to probable future congressional
action on this subject is asserted to be
the reason why no steps are being
taken to supply the coming imperative
demand for American built ships
Colonel Edwards calls attention 10
what he terms "the second stage of de-
veiopment for the Philippine govern
ment." The change from military TO
Il civil government has developed many
intricate questions Of law. A number
OF cases involving claims aEETega ting
large sums are now pending in the
United States court Of claims. while
other questions are before the circuit
courts of this country. The recovery
of import and export duties collected
under the military regime forms the
basis for most of the claims one OF
the questions of most interest preserted
is that of the right of the president of
the United States 10 exercise the power
1f legislation ga the Philippines prior 10
he establishment of civil government
Education of Filipino Boys.
The education of Filipino youths in
This country for the purpose Of making
-hCm the future tcuchers OF the native
schools OF Che island has begun under
an act uassad last summer by the insu-
lar government. Niuety-eiEht young
Fiipiuos are now ON their way to this
country t0r that purpose. They VIII
attend the grammar schools Of southern
california during the winter and in. the
spring De distributed through the west
and eastern portions Of the United
states Tor further instruction.
colonel Edwards predicts that the
Philippine exhibit at st. Louis VIII be
thl feature Of that SHOW. Every phase
~ native industry and domestic life in
Tee islands Is 90 be represented.
Through aa amendment 20 the ciVil
service regulations of The United states.
made by President Roosevelt. to take
1fect April l6 next transfers win be
allowed from the civil employees Of the
Philippines 60 government positions in
Tails country, tIus accomplishing an end
which has been vis0Rous,y commended
Tor 1y Colonel Edwards f1r some time.
and making efficient service in the Phil
jpplces stepping stone 60 Better places
1t home. and thus raising the standard
~ efficiency and creating a new in
sUccnent 90 desirable clerks.