Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-05
Governor Taft Presents Annual Statement
Of Commissions Work.
SUGGESTS TRADE WITH SULTAN OF JoL
MorOs Are Opposed 10 Representative
Government and strong, Paternal
Rule VIII he Necessary
for Many Years.

mendations for legislative action by con-
gress deemed essential to the welfare Of
the islands.
, After ~reciting a history Of the establish
ment Of civil government throughout the
various provinces. Governor Taft in his
report says IL has not been definitely de.
termined what shall be lone with respect
to Mindanao where, he says, hostility to
the Americans does not extend beyond the
lake, Lanao Moros. The governor is OF the
opinion that II may be possible to induce
the sultan of Jolo to part with some of
the rights he claims to the Jolo group. thus
obviating many obstacles now encountered.
The Moros, he says, do not understand
popular government and do not desire 1t,
preferring control by dattos.
Possibly far in the future" he says,
control by dattos may cease. For the
present, however, It is necessary only to
provide a paternal, strong, but sympathetic
government for these followers Of Moham-
med"
Governor Taft tells Of the conditions that
have made It necessary for the islands to
purchase about s15. 900, 900 worth of food
on which to live and Of the effects war has
had upon agriculture. almost the only
source of wealth in the islands. The great
est blow to agriculture, he says, Is the
destruction of about 30 per cent OF the water
buffalo on which the cultivation Of rice is
almcst wholly dependent.
After speaking of the ravages Of Asiatic
cholera, Governor Taft says:
LadrOnism the Bane.
THE bsne OF Philippine civilization In
the past was ladronism and the present
conditions are most favorable for its
growth and maintenance. 1t is not GER
tain whether in the depressed state Of ag-
riculture, which offers the temptations to
ladronism, the .constabulary will be able
without the assistance of the military 20
stamp It out. Were there prosperous con-
ditions in the country 1t would not be a
troublesome matter to deal with, but when
want and famine are staring people in tho
face the life Of the freebooter forms to
the desperate and the weak a very great
attraction.
The natural discomfort with the gov
eminent when suffering is at hand, pro-
NOTED as It is by cholera. restrictions and
the high prices Of rice and other commod
tiles. which haYe been greatly enhanced by
the depreciation of silver, might we'll have
caused a new breaking out Of the insur-
%rection, and in my judgment It SPEAKS
wonders for the ease with which this coun-
try may be governed In normal times and
that we have had comparatively go little
disorder since the surrender Of the insur-
gent arms In April"
Since the civil government was com
pletely established in the Filipino prov
inces throughout the archipelago In July
last year the governor says that an Amer
lean soldier. has not been called on once
to fire a gun, the. country having been
policed oy the constabulary. a force of
5000 or 5000 men.
May Need Martial Law.
ut may be-" says Governor Taft, that
as the conditions grow worse-for they are
likely to do so before they grow better
1t will be necessary in a province like
Cavite, where Iadronism seems inbred in
the people, to proclaim martial law and
even to call in the military finally to sup
press 1t, but 1t is still hoped this may b.
avoided"
The ladrones OF Iloilo are characterized
as organized bands of cattle thieves. They
are being rapidly stamped out.
Governor Taft says that unless the cara
bao can be replaced or other methods OF
agriculture substituted which will prevent
these animals being indispensable hereafter
the future for several years has a gloomy
outlook.
The depressed condition OF agriculture AM
the tendency to Iadronism in the Tagalol
and in some OF the Viscayan provinces doel
not apply to those provinces where hemI
is the chief product.
They are wealthy and prosperous" tn,
report says, and while their food cost
them more than It used to, they hav,
money enough with which to make i'm
provements. School houses are being built
roads are being constructed, machinery
agricultural and other kinds, is being In
troduced and there is every evidence Of
forward movement. Throughout the ricl
and Tagalog provinces, however, we mus
expect disturbances from time to time iron
ladrones and their assistants, the Katipunai
societies.
"on the whole, there is to be a year o
hardest kind of work relieving the peopl
from the hardship and suffering likely L
follow the failure OF the rice crop and II
suppressing ladronism and other disturb
ances due to economic Distress"
Exports and Imports for Year.
Governor Taft says the figures show tina
for the year ended June 80, 1902, the i'm
ports, exclusive of quartermaster's store,
OF all goods. were s41. 900. 900, while the ex
ports we're about $27, 900. 900. He says capt
tai has seemed to be timid in coming I
the Philippines. but adds: at has come /
a small way in various branches, SO the
the aggregate lie very considerable"
The governor points out among other Ill
from which the Country is suffering that
~iuctuating currency.
On the subject Of labor he speaks Of th
need OF making temporary provision sue
as is recommended by the full commission
Touching on the organization OF labC
unions the governor says that II properl
directed the movement may give to II
; lAboring classes a sense Of the dignity
, labor and Of their independence.
He regards the objection made by II
Q Filipinos to the unlimited Introduction
Chinese into the islands to be logical an
Justified, and says; Another phase OF Il
labor question which does not seem
I have had Its proper weight with the me
chants Of Manila in their demand for q
admission Of Chinese coolies is the gre
obstacle which such a policy would presel
to the opening ty the United States of 1
markets TO Philippine products"
There is In the city OF Manila real esta
and improvements assessable for taxatit
amounting to t4l .OO5. 100. while there is no
asseseable real property in the city TO Il
! amount OF S25. 500. Ss1. OF which 1884, 8
y is public property and Si2, III, $40 is chur
"a nronsrtv exampt under the law. govern