Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-10-28
MOHONK CONFERENCE.
Officers Of the Bureau Of insuIsr Affairs
Tells What Has Been Done
for the Fi~iipinos.

Lake Mohank, N. Y, Oct. 22.-The
morning session Of the Mononk Indian
conference was devoted to considera-
tion Of the problems In the Philippines
". Fred w. Atkinson OF Brooklyn
polytechnic institute was the first
speaker.
w. Leon Pepperman, assistant to the
chief Of the bureau OF insular affairs OF
the war department. Washington. dis
cdssed the conditions and needs OF the
Filipinos The wide divergence Of
races. civilizations, religions. etc. as
among the various tribes n divisions.
was pointed out. He added:
IL VIII doubtless be a surprise to
many to know to what extent the Fill
ipinos have voice In the present gov
eminent of the islands. While there
are about 1900 Americans and $500
Filipinos In the general government
service there are only 100 Americans
and over $1,000 Filipinos in the pro-
vincial and municipal governments,
This does not include teachers. OF
whom 1000 are Americans and $500
Filipinos
THE problem of the savage races Is
not tho same we have to meet among
our Indians Except the Moros. they
are not particularly warlike. Most OF
them ave welcomed the school teach
err, and in time will take on civiliza.
ton.
Work Already Done.
After describing in detail the general
form of government under which the
Philippines are now controlled, Mr..
Pepperman continued:
TN addition, an educational system
has been established with over 1000
schools in the islands; a monetary sys-
tenn which affords a fixed medium OF
exchange has been adopted and ef-
fectualiy substituted for the former
debased currency; an efficient postal
service has been established; he
islands ave been gridironed with tele-
graphs and telephones and tied togeth-
err by. cables; extensive harbor i'm
provements are under way: highways
are being constructed: the islands have
been placed in a sanitary condition:
the first census of the islands has been
taken: and the garrison OF American
troops has been reduced to 10000 off,
GERS and men aside from the Filipino
scouts.
tration OF the government and all the
results already attained, heretofore
enumerated, have been met by the
revenues in the Philippine islands. 1t
will be seen that many public improve
ments which. In this country, are paid
out of federal funds, have been met
out of the revenues of the insular gov
eminent.
Plea for Tariff Reductions.
Taking up the economic needs OF the
islands, the speaker recommended a
further reduction Of the present rate
of duty assessed upon exports Of the
Philippines to rs per cent. of the present
Dingley tariff. He added:
THE principal articles of export are
hemp, copra. sugar and tobacco. The
first two being on the free list, interest
hinges or sugar and tobacco. The Phil
ippines. who lost to a degree the Span
ish market. with a change OF sover-
eighty, now look to this country as a
legitimate field for their trade expan-
sion. A reduction of the tariff for this
purpose is opposed by the interest
which represent sugar and tobacco, but
it would seem, ever In the event the
entire surplus found a higher market
In this country, that 1t would hardly
affect either the beet sugar or tobacco
industry here.
"Another primary remedy is, that a
thority be give by congressional act to
the Philippine commission to encourage
the investment of capital in the IN
%struction OF railroads by accompanying
the grants or franchises to bull rail-
roads, in cases where It is necessary,
with a guarantee by the Philippine gov
eminent of ar income on the amount OF
l the lnNSSllIIciik W UC nAcu III d0FdtiNCs
said amount not to exceed 4 per cent.
annually of the principal.
Needs Of More Railroads.
"It is needless to dwell On the neces-
sity of railroads. There is now but one
road, 100 miles in length. From prelim-
mary surveys It Is believed that 1000
miles OF road. at a cost of $40. 600. 900,
would open up the entire archipelago,
and that the interest charges on the
Philippine government. If at the max
imum possible interest charge in the
beginning would be 81. 500, 900: whereas.
unquestionabiy. certain portions of this
entire system would be on a revenue
producing basis from the beginning and
the insular government would not be
called upon to make the deficit.
"In conclusion those of us who have
lived In the Philippines and know the
people and tire history OF the country,
know that the secretary of war told
the truth when he recently said that
TIE ssa:i.rr:E people ne-eT nave had
such liberty in the history of their