The sun., 1905-10-22


tropical commerce can profitably be ex-
panded are confined To the area OF cheap
and rapid communication bet~ecn the
interior and the coast. The coast regions,
which have long been tributary TO foreign
commerce, become poor IA regards some
Of the most valuable natural products OF
the. tropics, and tho natives do not OF their
own accord readily adopt new and artificial
methods OF raising produce for export
In order that commerce In the tropics may
increase at all commensurately with the
expectations Of the colonizing power 1t is
Indispensable, first Of ALL TO create a more
efficient system OF internal and external
communication. The very existence OF
colonial empire depends upon the rapid
movement OF the commodities which 1t
produces. Passing over what Prof Reinsch
has to tell us about the measures taken
by Great Britain, France and Holland to
facilitate transportation. we would point
out that tho Government OF the Philippine
Islands has from the first seemed to ap-
preciate the Importance Of good communi-
cations, although thus far but little has
actually been accomplished In this direction
The very first law enacted by the Philippine
Commission appropriated 100000 to be
used in the construction and repair OF high
ways and bridges in the islands. The duty
Of constructing and repairing such high
ways has been placed upon the provincial
governments and the municipalities. Our
author points out that section 10 Of the act
authorizing provincial governments pro-
shall have supervision over the construc-
at,-, = ol.&- l, la
bridges and ferries Of the provinces. ex-
cept those within the inhabited portion OF
the pueblos and bdrrios thereof BY agree
ment with the president Of municipality,
the supervisor fixes the territory within
which the municipality is to be held re-
sponsible for the roads. The provincial
board is empowered to order the con strpc-
tion and maintenance OF roads and bridges
within the territory under it's agreed upon
control. Individual provinces have been
assisted from time to time by grants from
the insular treasury for the purpose OF
constructing means Of communication and
a government highway has been built con-
Meeting Manila with the highlands Of Ben
guet. 1t is generally recognized that for
some time little efficient work can be ex-
pected Of the local units in the matter Of
road building. In order to enable the
Philippine Commission to carry out i'm
in communication on a COM
prehensive plan 1t has recently Q905) been
empowered by Congress to procure loan
OF IS, 10000.
Our author directs attention to the fact
that, under concession from the Spanish
Government, the Manila Railway Company
L., ttNn
way connecting Manila with Dagupan.
In December, 1902, the Philippine Commits
sion granted franchise to the same COM
pany for the construction Of branch line
into the province of Nueva Ecica. This
Was the first grant of the kind made by the
commission. 1t provided definitely for
tho general technical details Of construc-
ton, such as gauge and structure Of en-
/ tankment; to the company was conceded
the right to have patented to itself such
public lands as might be necessary for
the line, and to it was granted an at solute
exeT p.ion from taxes for the period Of
twenty years. On the other hand, it was
stipulated that the freight and passenger
rates must he approved by governmental
authority and the company to which the
concession was made was required to
deposit with the insular treasurer $500 for
every kilometre of the line as a guarantee
Of the fulflment OF its part Of the agree
ment. The Philippine Commissioners
have also employed engineering experts
10 make reconnaissance survey for a
system Of trunk lines in the island Of Luzon.
The commission is in favor Of having these
lines constructed by private companies,
but considers it necessary, in order to in
vite investment, to have the insular govern
ment guarantee an income of per cent.
on the capital employed. In the commits
sion's report it was stated that this form OF
assistance is preferred by it to land grants
and other forms Of government subsidy. Ac-
in 1905 the United States Govern
ment authorized the Philippine Commits
sion to guarantee the interest on $50, 900, 600
Of capital stock of companies constructing
and operating railways in the archipelago.
1t was provided that the rate OF interest
guarantee should be effective only in 30
far as the income OF the company should
be insufficient to meet the interest charge,
and that all sums advanced by the Govern
ment should constitute a lien upon the
property of the railway company.
In the chapter on Agriculture and In
dustry," an attempt is made to formulate
the principal economical problems pre-
sented in tropical countries. Such countries
are generally inclined to monoculture.
Either the natives, lacking any special in