The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-01-19
REPORT ON PHILIPPINES
The Commission Recommends Some
Needed Legislation.
NATIVES HELP PEACE OFFICERS

Urges Authority be Given Commission
to Reduce Tariff Schedules, and
That On Sugar and Tobacco Said
to be Prohibitive.
Washington. Jan. l6.-The annual
Report OF the Philippine commission
TO the secretary of war says that as
soon as the people came Ia under
stand that the government had Doth
the ability and the will to protect
them. they began to cooperate cor
daily with the constabulary and oth-
er peace officers by giving information
against the lawless. SO that ii became
possible to kill or capture them. As
result. the report says not single
organized band of ladrOnes Is nov
to be found in the Island OF Luzon. .
that nearly all the leaders save hve
or six have been killed OF captured.
and that the same may be said OF the
Nisayan islands. The commission add,
that there is no reason 10 suppose
that orderly conditions will be oth-
erwise than permanent. The relations
between Americans and Filipinos are
said TO be generally cordial. with "a
steady growth OF confidence and good
feeling between thGn. "All those
who are justly entitled to be called
leaders OF public opinion among the
Fiiipinos." the report continues. have
definitely cast their lot with the
Americans
With reference to the friar lands.
the commission. after repeating the
statements heretofore made as To OPP
position on the part OF a majority OF
the rilipinos to the friars. says
The Holy See recognizing that the
Fiipinos were. generally speaking.
Roman Catholics, and the wisdom OF
supplying them with priests who would
be acceptable TO them. has appointed
an American archbishop and bishops,
who have taken the places formerly
occupied by Spanish churchmen. and
has pursued the wise and conciiia-
tory policy Of declining 10 force oh
jectionable priests upon reluctant par
ishioners. and has brought its great
influence to bear in facilitating the
purchase OF the government Of the
large landed property under the con
troll OF the friar Of1ers.'
The report urges that the commits
sion be given authority to make r.
ductions in the tariff schedules. the
commission saving in this connection
that il always has felt there should
exist the uost intimate trade rela
lions between the United States and
thu islands. unObstructed as far as
possible by tariff barriers
The Dinsiey tariff rates on sugar
and tobacco imported into the United
States. the report says. are prohibi-
tive
The commission makes the follow
ing recommendations
Reduction of tariff on sugar and to-
bacco to not more than % per cent OF
the Dngley rate.
That authority be given the com
mission. with the approval OF the
president and secretary OF war, TO is
sue bonds from time to time. for IN
ture improvements. not to exceed So
O0O. 0O0 in the aggregate.
Legislation exempting all bonds is
sued by the Philippine government or
by any of the provincial or municipal
governments from taxation.
That control of the shipping in trade
between the islands be left wholly in
the discretion Of the Philippine COM
mission, subject to the approval Of the
president and secretary Of war.
Congressional action authorizing the
Philippine commission. with the APP
proyal of the president and secretary
of war, to encourage railway construc-
ton in the islands by accompanying
the grants or franchises, when deemed
with a guaranty by the
government Of income on
the amount Of the investment to I've
fixed in advance in the act Of guaranty
the amount Of income guaranteed not
to exceed annually 4 per cent. Of the
fixed principal.
That the amount OF land that may
be acquired by any corporation or in
dividual be extended TO 25.0O0 acres
and that the law which forbids the
fling of more than one mining claim
by the same individual upon a lode or
deposit be repealed.