The Washington times., 1903-05-08

Enthusiastic Over Prospects in Islands,
Confident of American Progress
There, and Pleased With Outlook.

The Hon. Henry Clay Ide, member Of
the Philippine Commission, and secre-
tary of finance and justice in the insular
government, arrived in Washington yes
terday afternoon from Manila With his
two daughters, Annie L. and Majorie NJ.
the commissioner is registered at the
Arlington.
He will remain in Washington for
several days TO confer with the Secre-
tary Of War. and C. A. Conant, chairman
of the Monetary Commission, recently
appointed by the President Mr. Conant
is expected in Washington tomorrow
morning. and the Secretary of War, The
commissioner, and Mr.. Conant will dis
ippine financial system.
Commissioner Ide left Manila Febru-
ary y, and came TO California. where
he spent a few weeks that he might be-
come acclimated before coming East
ward. When seen at the Arlington lasl
night, the commissioner. tired and worn
from his journey across the continent,
the Philippines. He said:
Wonderful Advances
THE members of the commission are
more than gratified at the progress of
the government and wonderful advances
made within the past few months Every
business man in the islands is looking
forward to the establishment of the new
monetary system and works of improve
ments long at a standstill because of
the huctuating value OF the currency
have been started.
"No one could have better filed his
position and better guided the work of
the commission in the islands than the
Secretary of War. AT all times, he has
been fully in touch and at the same time
in sympathy with Philippine conditions
and every important. matter has been
handled with the greatest care.
Governor Taft's visit to Rome and
his conferences with the Pope will set
tie the disturbances over the friars.
Already American priests and others
with advanced American ideas have ar
rived in the islands to take the places
of the friars, against whom so much has
been done and said. II is the intention
of the commission to pay for the friars'
lands and the land is now being sur
veyed preparatory 10 the appraisement.
Much of the recent disturbance in the
islands has been caused by strife be-
tween the friars and the natives opposed
to them.
An Independent Catholic Church.
While the commission is interested
in this matter. it is taking no hand
in it except so far as the peace of
the islands is concerned An independ-
ent Catholic church has been organized
in the islands and Aglipay, a bright ma
tive. has had himself ordained the arch
bishop and head of the church. The
new organization is opposed to the rule
of Rome. and Aguinaldo has identified
himself with the new society.
"Aguinald1's influence among the ma
tives is not so great as that of the
archbishop. In fact. the former leader
of the rebellion has been keeping him
self very quiet in recent months.
The American army is not now en-
gagged to any extent in fighting the ma
tives All the recent captures of Ia
| drones have been made by the native
constabulary. 1t will not be long be-
fore the greater number OF the Amer
lean troops will be withdrawn.
Before the present financial plan was
adopted by the Secretary OF War. the
value of money fiuctuated as much as
I
. lender could stand this for even If 25
per cent interest were paid he would then
be loser.
Broad Field of Progress.
Already plans are under way for the
construction OF thirty-five miles of
electric line in Manila The commission
will expend SIG, ,0O0. COO in improving the
harbor III Manila and large sums in the
Improvement OF other harbors Amer
ican capital has been slow in coming to
the islands because of the money fluc-
tuation. However. that difficulty has
come to an end, and / have been told by
capitalists in the Western part of the
United States that they intend seeking
investments.
projected. and will be constructed as
soon as practicable. American soldiers,
whose terms OF enlistment are rapidly
expiring, are remaining in the islands
and seeking locations With these men
as a nucleus and the number of Areri-
can immigrants constantly going TO the
islands, we expect to have model coun-
try. The census of the Islands has iust
been taken. but not yet compiled. |. will
SHOW a population of S,OOO, 900 or 5000 =
COO persons.
The Islands can provide for 4 popu-
lation OF .45.000,O0O or so, coo, coo people.
and the time is not far distant when TIE,
number Will aggregate that much.
After : have attended to certain Of
fetal matters. l Will go with my. daueh-
ters TO my old home in Vernon. We
Will remain there until fall when
l win start for Manila. NJ daughters
will follow NE at later date.'.