Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-01
PHILIPPINE NEEDS
THREE THINGS ACCORDING TO
COL. EDWARDS REPORT.

Colonel Edwards. chief of the bureau of
insular affairs. in his annual report to the
Secretary of War states that the three
most important needs of the Philippine Is
lands today are a market the opportunity
for farmers to borrow money at reasonable
rates of interest and adeqate trnsporta-
ton facilities. Provision for the latter has
been made by Congress
Colonel Edwards says the recommended
ton upon which the Curtis bill was based
should be presented to the coming Con-
gress, with the following additional recon-
mendations:
That after the expiration of the ten
years period from the date of the ratifica-
ton of the treaty of Paris, which admitted
Spanish ships and merchandise TO the ports
of the Philippine Islands under the same
conditions as ships and mercha udiSe of the
United States, there be free trade both
ways between the United States and the
Philippine Islands of all articles the growth
and product of either of these countries.
THAT the application of the coastwiss
laws of the United States to the carrying
trade between the United States and the
Philippine Islands be postponed until April
IL, 1919, from which date this trade shall
be carried in American Or Philippine bot
TOMS
The progress OF the Filipino students un-
der instruction in the United States has
instances remarkable. The spirit of seri-
BUSINESS and of intelligent and persistent
effort which pervades this student body,
Colonel Edwards says, promises success
FOR this undertaking.
The Currency.
Regarding the currency of the islands,
Colonel Edwards says:
The rise in the price of silver which
has occurred within the last three years
has eliminated recently in a price which
brings the bullion value of the Philippine
coins up to their legal parity in gold. and
mas caused fears that the coins might per-
manent]y go above such parity There
would be danger that this would result in
the expectation OF the coins in such
amounts as to leave the islands with an in
suffielent supply of currency. While there
are some reasons for thinking that the pres-
ent price of silver may not be permanent
1T seems desirable that Congress should
take measures to provide for the contin-
gency Of further rise, which would en-
Darrass the monetary circulation OF the is
lands.
1t may, however, under the conditions
winch nave now arisen, be found wise to
meet the rise in the price of silver by au-
thorlZing return to coin containing less
pure silver than that now in use This re-
suit can be attained by the reduction of the
weight or flneness, or both, of the coins to
De hereafter issued for the Philippine Is
idHus, with authority to recoin. in the dis
erection of the commission the existing
pieces
As to Island Citizenship. -
appropriate authority should be given the
Philippine government, it is suggested to
fegislate for naturalization as to citizenship
IN the islands. The aggregate of revenues
from the date of American occupation to
June 80 last was $50. 733 1893, and the ex-
penditures for that period were S77, 10. 1876
1t Is stated that for the first time during
American occupation there is a consider
able preponderance of exports over imports
amounting approximately to a million and a
mar dollars Hemp exports for the year
snow a small decline in quantity with A
signify increased value; exports of sugar
exceed by few thousand pounds that of
l9oS The participation of the United
states In the import trade shows net In
crease of over a million dollars for the
year. '1o
SPEAKING of the visit of Secretary Taft
ana the congressional party to the PhiIip-
pines, Col. Edwards SAYS:
l., interest has been aroused and the truth
is Known to those who will have to solve
the philippine questions"