The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-12-05
IRE PhILL PPLNES

PHIL PPlAES I
During he last year the Philip
pine Isl ads have been slowly re-
covering ON the series of disasters
which, since American occupatlsoa:
have greatly reduced the amount OF |
products below what
was produced III Spanish times. u he
var. fine rinderpest, the 1ocusts, the
drought. and the 1plera have been
united as causes 70 Prevent return
~ tbe prosperity ach needed IN
tbe Islands. The most serious is
the destruction by the rinderpest OF
moro than rs per cent. of the draft
cattle. because it vii take several
years of breeding 70 restore tne
necessary number ct these lnd1s-
nensible aids to agriculture. Inc
Commission attempted to supply by
purchase from adjoining countries
the needed cattle, but the expeF1-7
ne7,+s made were unsuccessful, Most
IF tbe cattle imported were unable
to withstand the changes oticllmate
and the rigors of the voyage ana
died from other diseases than rln-
derpest.
The income of the philippine gov
sr,n,nent has necessarily been rectnc-
"a bv reason of the business and
aorricuItural depression in the ls-
lands. and the government has been
Obliged to exercise great economy 70
ont down its expenses, to reduce sal
aries. and IN every way to avoid a
deficit. Tt has adopted an lnternal-
revenue law, imposing taxes on
cigars. cigarettes, and distilled M
uors. and abolishing the old Span
;sb industrial taxes. The law has
not operated as smoothly as was
boped. and although its principle IS
undoubtedly correct, it may need
amendments for the purpose OF re-
conciling the people to its provisions.
The income derived from it has
nartly made up for the reduction IN
customs revenue.
There has been a marked increase
in the number of F'nipinos employ
ed in the civil service. and CORES
bonding decrease in the number OF
| Americans. The government IN
cvery one of its departm rs ll2s
been rendered more efficient IL q n,
nation of undesiraI n'1ter'Hl and
the promotion Of deserving pub
servants
improvements of harbors, roads,
and bridges continue, although the
cutting down of the revenue forplds
the expenditure of any great amount
from current income for these pur-
noses. Steps are being taken. by
advertisement for competitive bids.
To secure the construction and main
tenance of / 900 miles of railway by
private corporations under the re-
cent enabling legislation OF the
| Congress. The transfer of the frlar
lands. in accordance with the con-
tract made some two years ago, mas
been completely effected, and the
purchase money paid. PROVISION
has lust been made by statute Tor
the speedy settlement in a special
nroceedine in the Supreme Court OF
controversies over the possession and
+;t1n Of church buildings and recto-
ries arising between the Roman
Catholic Church and schismatl.es
claiming under ancient munlclps.il-
ties NEGOTIATIONS and hearings Tor
,+be settlement of the amount due to
+be Roman Catholic Church for rent
md occupation of churches and rec,
tories by the Army of the United
states are in progress, and it is hop
cd n satisfactory conclusion may pc
submitted to the Congress before the
end Of the session.
Tranquility has existed during I!
the past year throughout the Areh1.
peiago, except in the province OF
Cavite, the province Of Batangas ano
the province of Samar, and in the
island Of to1o among the Moros-
The Jolo disturbance was put an
end to bv several sharp and short
engagements, and now peace pre-
walls in the Moro province. Cavite.
The mother of ladrones in the Span
;sh times. is so permeated with the
traditional sympathy of the people
for lqaronism as to make it difficult
TO stamp out the disease. Batqngas
was only disturbed by reason OF the
fugitive 1adrones from Cavite.
Samnr was thrown into disturbance
bv the uneducotpd and partly savage
peoples living in the mountains,. who,
having been given by the municipal