The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1904-02-10
CONDITIONS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
SENDS TO SENATE
ANNUAL REPORT OF COMMITS
SION AND CIVIL GOVERNOR.

WASHINGTON, February 1.-The
President today sent to the Senate the
annual report of the Philippine Com
mission including the report Of the
Civil Governor of the Philippines and
the reports of heads of the executive
departments, for the period ended De-
cember 90, 1903. The report of the
Commission contains a detailed state
ment by the Auditor for the islands of
expenditures under the appropriation
of So, 900 900 for the relief of distress
in the islands.
Taft says the year was one of much
suffering among the people of the Phil
ippines on account of a short food sup
ply, but that the worst is passed.
While he does not consider the future
as bright as it might be, he believes
we are beginning an era in the history
of the islands which, with the assist
ance of proper tariff reduction in the
United States and proper navigation
laws for the islands will be one of de-
cided material developments.
Speaking of the conditions in the
islands, Taft says that at no time has
there been less ladronism than when
the report was written, December 10,
1903.
Taft says political conditions on the
islands make the time ripe for period
| of reconstruction. During the next
decade railroad, canal and steamship
| companies, he says, should revolution
ize the interior trade of the islands
and should have a marked effect upon
the export trade. For this reason he
| recommends that the Philippine Com
mission he authorized with the APP
proval of the Secretary of War and
the President, to enter into contracts
with railroad companies, to whom a
franchise for the construction of a road
shall be given by which an income of
not exceeding 4 per cent and probably
not exceeding 8 per cent, shall be guar
anteed on the investment, the extent
of which shall be fixed in the law.
Taft reviews at length the negotia-
tions leading up to the present status
of the friar lands settlement. He
says he is officially informed that the
number of friars in the islands is 24G
as compared with 1913 in the figures
given by the apostolic delegate in 1899.
Taft says:
Whatever may happen during the
first few months of the coming of the
American Bishops, it is certain that
the spirit of the American Catholic
church is so different from that of the
Spanish church, from a political stand
point that the influence of the Spanish
friars win gradually wane and that of
the American Bishops become con-
trolling, bringing about that which we
so much desire-the Americanizing Of
the Roman Catholic church in the
Philippines a q
To prevent further falling off in the
product of leaf tobacco, Governor Taft
urges the reduction of the duty of %
per cent of the Dingley tariff rates.
Taft says the Sultan of Jolo long
since has violated the Bates agree
ment and has forfeited all his rights
under it. Governor Taft pronounces
him a gambler and intriguer without
spark Of courage or patriotic and
fraternal interest in his people, one
who runs the whole system of govern
ment solely for the exactiOn of taxes.
General Wood when appointed Gov
ernor Of Moro province began col
lection of the cases of gross violation
OF obligations by the Sultan under the