The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-01-21
DISASTER and DISTRESS
IN The ARCHIPELAGO.
A Petition Received From Agui-
naldo Presenting Conditions
Existing in Philippines.

Washington, Jan. 20.-Secreta y
Root today transmitted to the senate
and house copies of petition received
by him, through Gov. Taft, from
!Aguinaldo, the late insurgent leader
in the Philippines. The petition is a
remarkable presentation of the condi-
tion now existing in the Philippines,
and Secretary Root fastened to send it
to congress because it went long way
toward supporting the statements he
had made to the committees of that
body and also demonstrating the ne
cessity for prompt and exhaustive ac-
tion on the part of congress to prevent
disaster and distress in the archipel-
ago. The secretary's letter of trans
initial was very short, simply reciting
the character of the document and al
luding to the picturesque and graphic
manner in which Aguinaldo had de-
scribed the conditions in the Philip
pines. The secretary attached particu
lar importance to Aguinaldo's profes-
sion ofa desire to do everything in
his power to aid the Americans in
carrying out relief measures and devel-
oping the island. The petition says
in part.
Profoundly impressed by the sor-
rows and calamities which afflict my
people, and bearing in mind the good
intentions which have inspired the acts
of the civil commission, I have taken
heart to'present a project Of purely eco
nomic character which, in my opinion,
would remedy, if not completely, at
last in great part, the precarious stu
alton in which we all find ourselves.
"I propose to the honorable civil
commission to obtain from congress
United States treasury loan of $50, :
900, 600, gold, in cash, and also cred
it of $50, 100000, gold, which will
guarantee the issue Of paper to serve
as money in the islands. The sum
shall be used for the Development
and improvement of Philippine agri
culture, and shall be paid within 20
years, the payments being made in
three installments.
"When the loan and credit were ap-
proved and the above mentioned sum
here in the Philippines, a bank would
be opened which could be called
United States American Agricultural
Philippine bank and which should be
under the inspection and supervision
of the insular government.
"After the civil commission had
dictated the proper regulations and es-
tablished all the necessary safeguards
for the security and stability Of the
bank, the bank would begin to ope-
rate, making available for the agricul-
turists such sums as they should ask
for, in compliance with the necessary
formiiaties, at an annual maximum
interest of per cent, payable semi
annually.
In case Filipinos should wish to
acquire the bank by making OF it a
Joint stock company without otherwise
altering its organization and methods,
the government would concede to
them the title, without prejudice to
its right to require repayment OF the
amounts incurred by the foundation of
said bank or other necessary expenses.
1t may be that when this project
is known | shall be called an enthu-
siast and dreamer and it Will be
said that / ought not to involve myself
in matters that force me out OF the
retired life which | have intended to
follow since my imprisonment, and
which, as | believe, nothing that |