The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-03-24
CRUSHING THE FILIPINos

CRUSHING THE FILIPINos
friend, formerly holding high
military Office in the Philippines, sent
some time since to The Independent
bill passed by the Philippine COM
mission which was intended to drive
out Of circulation all currency except
that recently provided by congress.
1t contains the most drastic prOvi-
sions, among others one levying a
heavy tax on all deposits of Mexican
and other money in banks. The bank
er was directed to keep an account of
the amount OF such deposits and re-
serve from payment to depositors the
full amount of the tax We now learn
from the Manila American that this
law has created an uproar among
the people, although they have no
voice in making the laws under which
in meeting called by the Filipino
chamber of commerce. From the dis
cussion there, the following extracts
from the Manila American are made
(The term Mex is used in the Phil
ippines to denote Mexican silver dol
lars.):
1T was pointed out in the argu-
ments that in the provinces the
new currency was not as yet
known and that the masses of the
people had not become sufficiently
acquainted with it to abandon
Mex. 1t was further contended
that the payment of government
revenues and other obligations in
gold would bring distress to the
masses whose only money at pres
ent is Mex and il they were forced
to purchase gold to meet the de-
mands upon them they would be
placed at the mercy of the mon
ey exchanges and brokers and thus
suffer great monetary losses.
1T was pointed out that the peo-
pie were alarmed at the present
currency muidle and were rapidly
withdrawing their deposits Of Mex
lean currency and Spanish-Fiiipi-
no currency from the various
banking institutions throughout
the archipelago and keeping their
money at home, and that this ac-
ton had been brought about
through fear of an impending f.
nancial crisis. 1t was further
stated that the small retail dealers
were already seriously affected by
the existing currency conditions
and unless relief came from some
source in the immediate future
many of them would be driven to
the WALL"
These extracts show very plainly
what the money sharks are after over
there. The pathos of the situation
comes from the fact that people are
perfectly helpless. They are governed
by force. Ii II suits their rulers 10
pass law that will bankrupt them
they cannot help themselves. That Is
a country where the consent O, the
governed is not taken into considera-
ton. Such n financial act can pro-
duce as much suffering and starvation
as war The independent feels like
using the words OF Tom Corwin. nara
phrased and altered TO suit the occa-
sion. and say: If were a Filiplno
as am an American. would welcome
such rulers with bloody hands 10 hos
pitable graves"
Sc>sSS><S
One would be led 10 believe that tie
words used In our statutes and our
constitution were purposely construct
cd 10 conceal thought Here are what
are supposed 10 be nine OF the most
learned men In the whole United
states. who have been chosen for their
eminent natural ability and scholar
ship. whenever the meaning OF the
words used In the statutes or eonstl-
tuition are brought before them they
disagree ~ 10 what the meaning h