The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-09
FAMINE IS AVERTED
ACTIVITY OF THE GOVERNMENT
 IN PHILIPPINES.
Governor Taft Makes Answer to Sections of General Miles's Re- port in Regard to Agri----
 cultural Depression.

Washington, June s.-The War Depart msnt today made public a report received from Governor Taft replying to state- ments made by Lieutenat Gensral Miles after his visit to the islands last year. The report is dated at Banguest, April 18 and says:
 T am in receipt of reference from the Chief of Bureau of Insular Affairs and the Adjutant General of the army of an excerpt from the report of the Lieutenant General of the army relating to the con- ditionS of agriculture in the archipelago and the means of avoiding a probable famine and in accordance with the direc- tion in the reference, l have the honor to make the following comment:
 That there is a shortage in the islands of the usual food supply is undoubtedly true, but I have been surprised to find thus far how little real famine or hunger there Is. l have not received a single cali from single provincial governor for rice for free distribution in the entire archipelago. In the province of Batangas, Captain Boughton in managing the so- called war famine, has made very small gratuitous distribution of rice, not ex- ceeding more than 5000 worth. The action of the Commission in directing a proclamation by the civil governor calling upon the people everywhere to plant corn, camotes or sweet Potatokis. rice and other quickly growing food products. had very wide influence in stirring up the people to provide against the coming of famine.
 Tt is true that an exampled drought in A. ta1 N1ura Inc from being as productive as 1t otherwise would have been and that the locusts too have interferred with some of the crops, but on the whole l have been greatly surprised to find the suffering so much less than we expected 1t to be. It may be that In May, June or July We shall have calls for aid, but I think we shall be able promptly to respond to them, especially now that millions of dollars has been appropriated for the purpose.
 'The most serious feature of the situa- ton is the loss of the cattle from reindeer pest It is not feasible to bring cattle into the islands without making sure that they will not catch the reindeer pest after coming here and die from the disease as the fields of the islands are Infected. It is necessary therefore that all cattle brought here shall be immunized by hav- ing a serum injected into their veins which shall render them immune.
 we have made a contract for the delivery of 10000 caribou In the islands with pernanent immunization. The price is to be $ss Mexican. These are to be brought from the Yang Tse Valley In China. Our insular purchasing agent to- eether with a cattle expert of the Agri- cultural Bureau, is now visiting the va rious ports of the Orient with view @o voaGipO further contracts.
 ''I am unable to see that the Gov ernment transports could be made useful to us either in the transportation of rice or cattle. We can charter steamers adapted to our purposes at perhaps one fourth or one-ifth of the cost of operat- ing the transports as proposed by the IJeutenant- General of the army. We can purchase rice in the Orient at much cheaper price than we can bring corn or wheat from the Uuited States. The rice which we can thus bring to save the neople from starvation is the food which they are used to eating; whereas, they would have to be taught to eat wheat.
 "It is exceedingly important that we shall not pauperize the people or these islands by unnecessary gratuitous distr1- button of rice. In anticipation of cor ner on rice we made purchase Of rice involving the expenditure of about $SOO,ON fin gold. We succeeded In breaking the corner and keeping down the price and should the price advance again we may have to do the same thing We have sold the rice in various parts Of the ar chipelago nearly at cost whenever the merchants in that neighborhood insisted in forcing the price beyond what was We have on hand some 5000 piouls N37 1-2 pounds 10 the piouD. of Bangkok rice, which Is the best in the market and we have recently disposed or 100 GOO piouls of what is called Calcutta superior famine rice, to be sold through out the archipelago at a moderate price which was fixed in the contract of sale. If We are able to sell the carabou in the provinces at 80 Mexican, 1t will be a great boon to the people, especially If we do not require a deposit of more than 50 per cent of the cost price and allow a credit of six months for the payment of the balance.
 "I think generally the statement of facts in the report of the Lieutenant General is correct. SO far at least as the dreadful depression in agriculture by reason of the loss of the cattle is con cerned The remedy which he suggests bv the use of the Government transports, however I do not concur iu. The danger from famine has not been as great as I s,,nnosed it wus and as the Lieutenant General was justified In supposing it was from the reports which he heard.
 on any event. with the funds provided hv Congress. I now feel confident that the Philippine Government is in position to meet any emergency of this kind which may arise.