New-York tribune., 1905-01-17
THE PHILIPPINE REPORT.

The Philippine Commissions annual report,
just submitted to the President, presents high
ly encouraging picture Of progress and good ad-
ministration. General conditions in the Philip
pines have vastly improved, and American rule
is commencing itself by its fruits to the people
of the archipelago. The northern islands seem
now completely pacified and tranquillized and
ladr0nism is being everywhere stamped out by
an efficient and jealous constabuiary We con-
tnue to hear of sporadic attacks on American
outposts and scouting parties but it should be
remembered that these outbreaks occur only IN
the wilder southern islands, like Samar and
Mindanao, and in the Sulu country. IN the
more popuiOus and civilized districts the
pertinent of American rule shows eminently
satisfactory results-results which scarcely
seemed attainable two or three years ago. EX-
Guiding the mont Christian islands in the south
ern half of the archipelago the Philippines are
rapidly attaining that state of public order and
security deemed a prerequisite TO the convoca-
ton of legislative assembly and the choice of
two commissioners to sit in the United States
Congress.
The report just issued fortifes this welcome
assurance of increasing stability in the insular
government by exhibiting in detail the progress
made in various branches of administration.
The finances Of the islands have been put on
satisfactory working basis by the Introduction
of the new American peso. The old Spanish
and Mexican silver coins, of fluctuating value,
have been driven out, and a fixed monetary
standard has been established. The demand for
educational facilities is growing and the pupils
enrolled in the schools now number 263, 600,
against $4,000 a year ago. The burdensOme
occupation taxes Of the Spanish regime have
been abolished, and license taxes are now laid
only on banks and corporations and on the man
ufacture of liquor and tobacco. Harbor i'm
provements and road work have been pushed
ahead. and the troublesome problems left by
the friar lands controversy are on the way to
settlement. Even in the Moro country substan-
tlal progress is being made toward conditions Of
quietude and order.
According TO the commission the chief COM
mercial and political need OF the islands is a
freer entry for their products in the American
market. The present duties on sugar and To-
baccO are prohibitye, and a reduction Of rates
from 75 per cent of the Dingley law figures to
% per cent Is urged by the insular government
1t is also strongly recommended that the appli-
cation Of our coastwise navigation laws to
Philippine trade be postponed until July /, 1909
that these laws be made applicable conformity
with reduction of duties on all Philippine i'm
ports 10 % per cent of the Dingley rates.
1t is apparent that If our present policy in the
Philippines is TO be pursued in an intelligent
anu OAodu ihiiuVu SPilI we must oe prepared
TO admit the products of the archipelago on
more favorable terms. 1t is illogical TO extend
the coastwise shipping laws to trade with the
Philippines and at the same time levy % per
cent of the Dingley duties on Philippine Imports
In withholding the relief we owe the archipel-
ago Congress has been too much Influenced by
groundless fears of damage TO special American
interests. We hope that the wiser and broader
views of the commission. Of the Secretary Of
War and of the President will prevail, and that
the two houses will promptly lower the tariff
barrier we have too long maintained against
Philippine products.