Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21
WEALTH IN TIMBER
Undeveloped Resources of the
Philippines.
REPORT OF CAPT. AHERN
HAS BEEN CHIEF OF THE BUREAU
OF FORESTRY.
Results of Investigation of the Islands
Under American Occupation
Openings for Capital.
By WILLIAM Z. CURTIS,

Written for The Evening Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
The greatest wealth of the Philippine
Islands is in timber, and if the government
of the United States had taken them on
speculation President Mckinley would have
been justified in paying several times the
amount of the indemnity paid to Spain.
Capt. George P. Ahern of the 9th Infantry
who has been chief of the bureau of fores-
try over there ever since the civil govern
ment was established, has just returned to
his post at Manila after couple of
months at the exposition at st. Louis. and
in conference with capitalists who desire
to engage in cutting timber for export to
the United States, China, India, Australia
and other countries where there is profit
able market and large demand. When
asked him about conditions the other day
he said:
There is vast natural forest wealth in
the Philippines awaiting development; but
it requires time, money and wise manage
ment. The archipelago is the one unde-
veloped fertile spot in the Orient Markets
for all the produce it can raise are strong
and close at hand. Labor is not difficult to
secure and there is no danger to life or
property. Any company or individual de-
string to investigate the forest resources of
the islands will find the officials of the
bureau of forestry in Manila ready to CO.
operate in furnishing information and there
are competent officials in the field whose
business is to look after investors. A large
number of very inviting fields of forest de-
velopment should prove attractive to those
who believe in the future of our possessions
in the orient.
Most Attractive Regions.
1.-THE regions offering special attractions
are the Island of Mindoro. the east coast
of Luzon, the Cagayan valley and the
islands of Negroes and Leyte. The greater
the distance from Manila, the base of sup
plies, the less the chance for success A
company entering the Philippine field
should go prepared to carry on some agri-
cultural work in addition to logging so as
to give employment to the logger's family;
it should also be equipped with a modern
saw mill and a complete system of water
transportation, so as to supply the island
and China markets; 1t should have lum-
Der yard in Manila as well as in each Chi
neSe port. A well-lafd-out town should be
started for the employees This scheme of
exploitation can be started with capital
of half million dollars. A tract of be-
tween 100 and 200 square miles of virgin
forest may be secured for twenty years,
and when secured a selection of the best
sites for agricultural development should
be marked out. Land may be purchased
by the company and also by the employees,
steads. Philippine hemp and copra COM
mand high price all over the world are
easily raised. and on virgin soil should
produce good results within a few years.
1.-The Philippines are centrally located
and close to markets with a trade of
more than $100.000,000 month, trade
that is constantly growing and that should
be of great value to the islands. We have
valuable and vast quantities of hardwoods;
we have hemp. copra, sugar and tobacco
that 4o0,0G0,000 people want. Next year
Manila will have the best harbor and docks
in the orient, and the facilities for load
ing and unloading large ocean steamers will
make that port a great depot of supplies
for that part of the world.
Trade Outlook in the East.
1T seems strange that so many people
should lie unconscious of the great future
of trade in the orient. China is awaken
ing and will not cease its strides in COM
mercial development. Japan in the near
future will be a powerful factor In this
development and will look to the United
States for cooperation.
The Pacific is indeed an American
ocean, We have the choice islands in that
great sea; we have the most fertile spot at
the gates of China This spot is peopled by
a bright, ambitious and happy race. a race
that is susceptible to great development.
To open this country we need Americans
with keen sense of right and justice, with
the Islands. however, should realize that it
is the country of the Filipinos. He should
treat the native with consideration, and the
ready response of the native will be more
than gratifying. Any honest and industri-
Gus man will succeed in the Islands if the
native is with him.
"A land survey of the Philippines has
never been made" said Captain Ahern, in
answer to inquiry. 80 that the estimates
of the area are not very accurate. The re-
cent census, taken by the United States
reported 3.141 islands. with an
area of 115,029 square miles and a popu-
Iation of 7.c35, 426. This differs somewhat
from the Spanish estimates, but they were
based largely upon conjecture and guess
work. The cultivated area of the islands
is about 100000 acres. The forest area is
estimated from 45.000000 to
IS 100000 acres. and is probably about
AZ, 100000. OF this about 100000 acres Is
owned by private parties. and the law re-
quires them TO register their titles In the
bureau of forestry before cutting the tim
Der on them. Up to date 132 estates en-
bracing 10000 acres of timber. have been
registered. and the officials at our sixty for