Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-10
OUTLOOK IN PHILIPPINES
Governor Taft Says Want and Fam
q, Inc Stare People in the Face.
WARS EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE

cts Greatest Blow Was Destruction of
90 Per Cent. of Water Buffalo, On
Which Cultivation of Rice Depended.
Commissions Recommendations.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The annual re.
port of the Philippine commission,
and a separate report by Governor w.
II. Taft. made public at the war de-
partment yesterday, gives a review Of
khe results of the years work of the
committee and contain recommends
lions for legislative action by congress
deemed essential to the welfare of the
islands
After reciting history of the estab-
Hshment of civil government through
out the various provinces, Governor
Taft in his report says it has not been
definitely determined what shall be
done with respect to Mindanao, where,
he says, hostility to the Americans
does not extend beyond the Lake
Lanao Moros. The Moros, he says, do
not understand popular government,
and do not desire it, preferring control
by dattos. Possibly far in the fu-
ture." he says, control by dattos may
cease. For the present, however, 1t
Is necessary to provide a paternal.
strong, but sympathetic government
for these followers of Mohammed"
Governor Taft tells of the conditions
that have made it necessary for the
Islands to purchase about $4,000, 900
worth OF food on which to live, and
Of the effects war has had upon agri-
culture, almost the only source of
wealth in the islands. The greatest
blow to agriculture, he says, is the
destruction of about 80 per cent. Of
the water buffalo, on which the cult
walton of rice is almost wholly de-
Dendent. After speaking of the raw
ages Of Asiatic cholera. Governor Taft
says: 1.-THE bane of Philippine civili-
ration In the past was ladronism, and
the present conditions are most favor
able for its growth ana maintenance.
Were there temptations to agriculture,
were there prosperous conditions in
the country, it would not be a trou-
blesome matter to deal with, but when
want and famine are staring people in
the face, the life Of the freebooter
1orms to the desperate and the weak a
very great attraction"
The ladrones of Iloilo are charac-
terized as an organized band of cattle
thieves. They are being rapidly
stamped out. Governor Taft says that
unless carabao can be replaced, or
other methods OF agriculture substi-
tuted which will prevent these animals
being indispensable hereafter, the fu-
ture for several years has a gloomy
outlook
The Philippine commission makes
the following recommendations to
congress: The establishment of gold
standard in the islands; reduction of
rs per cent. of the Dingley rates on
goods imported into the United States
an amendment to the Philippine act
SO that the government can lease to
an individual or corporation not more
than $4,000 acres; that all Philippine
a bonds shall be free from all taxation
in the United States, and an amend
ment to the Chinese exclusion act by
which a fixed number of skilled China
men can be admitted, on the bond of
the employer that for every Chinaman
employed he will employ a Filipino
apprentice. and that he shall pay a
head tax not exceeding $50, the China
man to be returned within five yearz