Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-12-05

( SS0AAA0AAAO 9uROA ASS HIONkuSActsF
THE PHILIPPINES
Slowly Recovering From Disasters, They
Need the Help Of Congress.
During the last year the Philippine
Islands have been slowly recovering
from the series of disasters which
since American occupation have great
" reduced the amount Of agricultural
products below what was produced in
Spanish times. The war, the rinder-
pest, the locusts, the drought and the
cholera have been united as causes to
prevent return Of the prosperity much
needed In the islands. The most seri-
GUS Is the destruction by the rinder-
pest Of more than rs per cent Of the
draft cattle, because 1t will take sew
eral years of breeding to restore the
necessary number Of these indispen-
sable aids to agriculture. The commits
sion attempted to supply by purchase
from adjoining countries the needed
cattle, but the experiments made were
unsuccessful. Most Of the cattle i'm
ported were unable to Withstand the
change Of climate and the rigors Of the
voyage and died from other diseases
than rinderpest.
The income Of the Philippine govern
ment has necessarily been reduced by
reason of the business and agricultural
depression IN the islands, and the gov
eminent has been obliged to exercise
great economy to cut down It's ex-
penses, to reduce salaries and in every
way to avoid deficit. It has adopted an
internal revenue law imposing taxes
on cigars, cigarettes and distilled lq-
uors and abolishing the old Spanish in.
dustrial taxes. The law has not operat-
ed as smoothly as was hoped, and, al
though it's principle is undoubtedly cor
rect 1t may need amendments for the
purpose Of reconciling the people to its
provisions. The income derived from
it has partly made up for the reduction
In customs revenue.
There has been marked increase II
the number Of Filipinos employed IL
the civil service and a corresponding
decrease in the number Of Americans
The government in every one of it's de.
partments has been rendered more eff.
flcient by elimination of undesirable
material and the promotion Of deserv
ing public servants. ~.
improvements Of harbors, roads ani
bridges continue, although the cutting
| down Of the revenue forbids the ex
penditure of any great amount from
current income for these purposes
Steps are being taken by advertise
ment for competitive bids to secure
the construction and maintenance OF
1000 miles Of railway by private cor
porations under the recent enabling
legislation Of the congress. The trans
fer Of the friar lands in accordance
with the contract made some two years
ago has been completely effected and
the purchase money paid. Provision
has just been made by statute for the
speedy settlement in special proceed
ing in the supreme court of controver.
sizes over the possession and title OF
church buildings and rectories arising
between the Roman Catholic church
and schismatics claiming under ancient
municipalities. Negotiations and hear.
ings for the settlement Of the amount
due to the Roman Catholic church fol
rent and occupation Of churches and
| rectories by the army Of the United
States are In progress, and 1t is hoped
satisfactory conclusion may be sub.
mitted to the congress before the end
Of the session.
All but Four Provinces at Peace.
tranquility has existed during the
past year throughout the archipelago
except in the province Of Cayite, the
province Of Batangas and the province
Of Samar and in the island of Jolo
among the Moros. The Jolo disturb
ance was put an end to by several
sharp and short engagements, and now
peace prevails in the Moro province.
Cavite, the mother of ladrones In the
Spanish times, is SO permeated with
the traditional sympathy Of the people
for ladronism as to make it difficult to
stamp out the disease Batangas was
only disturbed BY reason Of the fugi-
tive ladrones from Cavite. Samar was
thrown into disturbance by the unedu-
Gated and partly savage peoples living
in the mountains, who, having been
given by the municipal code more pow
er than they were able to exercise dis
creetly. elected municipal officers who
abused their trusts, compelled the PEG
pie raising hemp to sell 1t at a much
less price than it was worth and by
their abuses drove their people intu
resistance to constituted authority. Ca.
wife and Samar are instances OF repos.
Ing too much confidence in the sell
governing power Of a people. The dis.
turbances have all now been suppress.
ed, and 1t is hoped that with these les.
sons local governments can be formed
which will secure quiet and peace to
the deserving Inhabitants. The Incl.
dent Is another proof Of the fact that
i there has Been ai1y error as regards
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