Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-13
yearly rent which he pays as a govern
ment tax.
Free Trade for Manila.
Ja31 -tf-20

I'VE have a serious question facing US,
and all disinterested thinkers will agree
with me that free trade for Manila or trade
as nearly free as possible Will add not only
to the growth and prosperity of that town,
but TO the material advantage OF our coun-
try. Give the world chance. Other ma
tons cannot compete with US, except in
few luxuries too Insignificant to consider in
comparison with the great advantages to be
derived by the great majority of our people.
The argument may and will probably be
adNanced that free ports are contrary TO
our traditions. Admitted. So was expan-
sion, but we have expanded, and 1t goes
without saying that We must assume the
conditions such expansion imposes.
Manila has been cruelty slandered." con-
tinued Mr.. Castle. 1T is good town 10
live in, and the climate rs no worse than
that of any of our gulf ports. Any person
who can endure hot weather anywhere can
live here. There are some people who cam
not endure 1t, just as there are other people
who cannot stand cold weather, but any
ordinary person will find the climate or
Me Mia healthfu and safe, as the death
rate shows, provided he behaves himself:
Much of the sickness that Is attributed
to the climate here is due to bad habits
The society of Manila is as good as that OF
any town Of it's size which has just changed
hands, and II people would only come here
and get acquainted with the place there
would be a rapid emigration from tho
United States in this direction. The gov.
eminent is safe. honest and energeuc l
have patience with people VINO are Co"-
tir ually finding fault with the commission.
or course they have made mistakes. NO
hi being could administer the affairs OF
a country like this and hit 1t right every
time. and naturally Judge Taft, Governor
Wright and the rest of them, who have
been feeling their way along and Trying 10
do their best for all concerned have not
been able to please everybody. Ihere arc
too many conflicting interests. II every
bodv wanted the same thing 1t might be
easier to give satisfaction
Opportunities for Investment
yes there are many excellent oppor-
t,,nities for investment in the Philippines;
there are many enterprises already un-
dertaken that promise to pay We'll ana INC
islands are full of valuable resources, pue
their deyelopment needs capital. and capi-
taIists are not yet satisfied with the safety
of investment over here and the tariit
on sugar and tobacco Is G. great drawpacK.
They are coming to ii gradually. however,
and every man of. affairs and business In.
telligence who visits Manila is Impressed
with the improvement in the situation ana
the wide range of business chances that
are offered here. But of course money
does not grow on the trees, and II does not
lie in the grass roots, and there are just as
many chances to lose as to gain mere as
there are everywhere else, unless invest
ments made wisely and anairs are
properly managed. The Philippines have
their share of adventures too. 1t Is as easy
to sell a gold brick here as 1t Is at home,
but taking everything into consideration,
there is no more promising place for busi-
ness in the world 1t is practically q new
field, empty and undeveloped. Everything
in the way of modern civilization is wanted.
and needed, and If properly managed all
legitimate enterprises will pay. What they
need first is railroads. AS soon as trans
portation facilities are furnished and the
tariff Is settled thousands of opportunities
will be offered in all directions.