The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-23
Report of Col. Edwards, of the Bureau
of Insular Affairs. on Conditions
Throughout the Islands.
LACK OF CoAsTwIsE SHIPPING
WILL BE CAUSED BY ENFORCEMENT
OF THE NEW LAW.
Good Opportunity for American In
vestment-FilipinO Exhibit at ST.
Louis Fair-PrOEress in Schools.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Conditions in
the Department of the Philippine Islands,
during the past year. together with
review of pending questions of Importance
relating to the archipelago. are contained
in the annual report of Col. Clarence r.
Edwards, chief of the Bureau of Insular
Affairs of the War Department, made pub
lie to-day. the accomplishment of greatest
importance to the islands during the year
being the successful launching of the new
fiscal system. By Jan. 1 next the new
system will be in complete operation. The
new circulating medium consists of 1S,OO0,-
900 pesos of silver and fractional silver
coins and 100000 pesos in paper money.
To establish the new system and pur-
chase the silver coinage two issues of
bonds were made of 100000 each, both of
which were sold at a premium. The pro-
ceeds Of the sale of these bonds were de-
posted and drew interest at the rate of
3i2 per cent, SO that the government ac-
tually made money by going into debt
Colonel Edwards emphasizes the neces-
sity Of reduction of the Dingley tariff
rates for the encouragement of trade be-
tween the United States and the Philip
pines. There is an active desire on the
part Of Philippine commercial interests, he
says, for tariff concessions, and the re-
port states that the same desire also has
been evinced by the same interests in this
country. The chief exports of the islands
to the United States are sugar, tobacco,
hemp and copra. The latter two commo-
dities already are on the free list.
Aside from the tariff question the matter
n ynOc or
the 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 be
confined strictly to vessels carrying the
American flag after July 1 next At the
present time Philippine commerce is carried
in British ships to the extent of SO per cent
of the foreign trade of the islands Other
foreign vessels carried practically the re-
mainder of this commerce, leaving 8 per
cent. to American vessels A fleet of
eighteen American ships is being construct
cd, and the prediction is made that despite
the apprehensions now felt, American ships
Will be ready to take the place of foreign
vessels without seriously inconveniencing
the shipping interests. The enforcement Of
this act however. with reference to the
coastWise trade, presents a much more
difficult problem. There are now AIS yes
islands. OF this number only twenty-five
are American ships. With the whole num-
Der OF ships now participating in this
a araae the tonnage Is said to be entirely in
wretched. 1t is suggested that the build
ing of light-draft vessels to participate in
this carrying business presents a splendid
opportunity for the profitable investment of
American capital.
Colonel Edw calls attention to what
ne terms the second stage of developments
denced in the work of the law officers of
his bureau during the past year. The
change from military to a civil govern
n menu IN the ISLANDS Stands has developed many
claims aggregating large sums are now
pending in the United States Court of
the Circuit Courts of this country. The
recovery of important duties collected un-
der the military regime was the basis for
most of the claims. One of the questions
of most interest is that Of the right of the
President of the United States to exercise
the power of legislation in the Philippines
prior to the establishment of colonial
government
Philippine history, contained in a vast
collection of records of insurgents now
in possession of the bureau. is work in
promises to add much of permanent in
terest to the literature Of the islands
The education of Filipino youths in this
country for the purpose of making them
future teachers of the native schools of
the islands has begun under an act passed
last summer by the insular government
Ninety-eight young Filipinos are now on
their way to this country for that purpose.
They will attend the grammar schools of
southern California during the winter. and
in the spring be distributed through the
middle West and Eastern portion of the
United States for further instruction.
Colonel Edwards optimistically predicts
that the Philippine exhibit at the ST Louis
exposition will be the feature of that show
There are to be something like 1000 Filipino
participants, and every phase of native in
dustry and domestic life in the islands is to
be represented
Through an amendment to the civil-serv-
ice regulations of the United States made
by President Roosevelt, to take effect Apri
Is next, transfers will be allowed from tbe
civil employees of the Philippines to govern
ment positions in this country thus accom-
plishng an end which has been vigorously
contended for by Colonel Edwards for Soma
time and making efficient service i'm the
Philippines stepping stone to better
places at home and thus raising the stand
ard of efficiency and creating a new in
ducement to desirable clerks.