Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-02-05
A CORNER IN RICE.
1t Has Caused Much Suffering
in the Philippines.
Ex-Gov. TnTt's Final Report of Az
fairs In Our Eastern Possessions
Dccrenso Of Lndroneism
Dissoiute Americans are
Source of Trouble.

washington, rep. 2.-lne president
yesterday sent to the senate the an
nual report of the Philippine COM
mission, including the report of the
civil governor of the Philippine
Islands and the reports of the heads
of the executive departments for the
period ended December 80, 1903.
Gov. Taft says the year was one of
considerable suffering among the peo-
pie of the Philippine Islands on ac-
count of a short food supply, but that
the worst is passed. While he does
not consider the future as bright as
it might be, he believes we are be-
ginning an era in the history of the
islands, which with the assistance of
proper tariff reduction in the United
States and proper navigation laws for
the islands, will be one of decided
material developments.
One of the causes of the food fam
inc, he says, was a Corner in rice
formed in November, 1902, which he
met by having passed an act appro-
priating $2,000,000 in Mexican money
to buy rice in foreign markets and
distribute it among the natives. 1t
was necessary to go to Siam and Cal
cutta to get sufficient supplies. The
Calcutta merchants palmed off on the
Manila authorities an inferior red
rice for first class rice, and the loss
to the Philippine government, on ac-
count of the rice developing weevils,
| was extensive.
Gov. Taft adds: at was probably
necessary to go as far as Calcutta to
break the corner, but it would have
been wiser to buy better quality of
rice" The purchases amounted in
| Mexican money to $1,S15,974 and the
sales amounted to 81, ,567 GAP, leaving
4 loss of $24S,332.
Speaking of the condititns in the
islands, Gov. Taft says that at no
time has there been less ladroneism
than when this was written. Decem-
ber 10, 1908. He refers to the fact
that on Il dead ladrone a letter was
found from Mabini. who had recently
landed in the islands from Guam, af-
ter taking the oath of allegiance, and
says he sent for Mabini and expressed
surprise that so soon after taking the
oath the Filipino should open COM
munication with men in arms against
the government Mabini, he says, re-
piled by sending copy of a letter he
had sent Gen. San Miguel advising
that it is better to endeavor to secure
independence through the paths OF
peace rather than by open warfare
He said further, however, that he be-
lieved that so long as the Filipinos
do not endeavor to liberate them
selves from their bonds, the period
of their liberty will not arrive.
One of the greatest obstacles with
which the government has had tc
contend, he says, has been the pres
ence of dissolute, drunken and law
less Americans who are willing tc
associate with low Filipino womer
and live on the proceeds OF their la
Dor. To rid the country of this class
of Americans the commission passed
what is known as the dissolute Ameri
cans and vagrancy acts.
Gov. Taft reviews at length the ne
gotiations leading up TO the present
status of the friars' land settlement
He says he is officially informed thar
the number of friars In the islands i:
246, as compared with 1,O13 in the fig
ures given by the apostolic delegation
in 1898.
J Concerning the cholera epidemic
, which began in March, 1902, the re
port says the number of cases wa
more than 100000 and the number o
deaths more than 100000 In Manil'
, the epidemic is decreasing, due to
, better water supply.