The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-16
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
IN PHILIPPINES.
Favorable Reports from Islands
Transmitted to Congress by
Secretary Of War.

4Id1lSlulIGeu 10 OOuSIcSS Ny
Secretary Of War.
Washington, Jan. 16.-secretary Taft
has submitted to the president the an
nual report Of the Philippine commits
sion, together with the separate reports
to the commission Of the civil govern
or Of the islands, and of the heads OF
the four departments and the president
today transmitted them with the secre-
tary's letter to congress-
The secretary says that the reports
show the great benefit which has been
conferred upon the islands by con-
tinued state Of tranquility.
Revenues Have Fallen Off.
The secretary says that the falling
off in the government revenues has re-
duced the funds available for education.
From the central government last year
the amount expended did not exceed
100000 as against $1,600,000 the
previous year. He adds that without
wasting money $5,000,000 a year in the
Philippine islands could be readily ex-
pended. The enrolment has increased
from 1890 to 100000 in one year and
there is a demand for American teach
ers and Filipino teachers in each
province. The total expenditures for
education last year, including those
from central provinces and municipal
governments, was nearly $2,000,O0O.
.. Tariff Reduction Urged.
Regarding the tariff on Philippine
products in the United States the sec
rotary says:
| The reports Of Governor Wright and OF
Commissioner Worcester show the neces-
sity for reducing the tariff on Philippine
products entering the United States, in
order that we may give to the islands a
market in America leading to a revival of
business in the islands. This relates par
ticularly to sugar and tobacco.
The secretary refers to the report Of
the opium commission which visited va
rious countries of the orient to investi-
gate the method of regulating the
opium traffic in those countries, and to
recommend a proper opium law for the
Philippines. 1t recommended the adop-
ton Of law similar to that in force IN
Eormosa, providing a government mon
opoly for three years and prohibition
thereafter except for medical purposes.
The secretary says that the customs
laws of the Philippine islands origin
ally, adopted have not proved to be en-
tirelly satisfactory and he expects soon
w
for transmission to congress.
Commissions Report.
The annual report of the Philippine
commission to the secretary of war
says:
From time immemorial, the Moros have
practiced polygamy and have been accus-
toned to make raids upon other nom
Christian tribes to replenish their stock
Of slaves, as well as to engage in piracy,
while the Arabs taught them the use of
firearms. The non Christian tribes of the
province, as soon as they understood the
Americans would protect them against
their ancient enemy, the Moros, were
only too willing to recognize American
authority and receive the benefits of it's
protection. In a number Of instances
they have been induced to establish
themselves in villages and to till the ad-
jacent SOIL They are said to be lacking
in intelligence.
'"There is 20 reason" says the re-
port, "to expect any. further trouble
with the Sulu Moros.' a ..s - 80. q
Commission Recommendations.
The commission makes the following
recommendations: =. g..
| Reduction Of tariff on sugar and tobac.
, co to not more than % per cent of the
Dingley rate.
InaC dulNOflCy DS given the COtl1llS
sion, with the approval of the presiden
: and secretary Of war, to issue bonds from
time to time for future improvements, no
a to exceed S5,OO0,00 in the aggregate.
E Legislation exempting all bonds issuet
= by the Philippine government or any o
! the provincial or municipal government
a not only from federal or Philippine taxa
tion but from state, county and munich
+ pal taxation in the United States.
That control of the ShipDing I'M trad
. between the islands be left wholly in tn
; discretion Of the Philippine commission
subject to the approval of the presiden
- and secretary of war.
a That the applica ton. Of the Unite
i States coastwise navigation laws to til
e trade between the Philippine islands an
< the mainland Of the United States be post
l. poned by congressional action until Jul
l, 1909 or in the alternative, that tn
coastwise laws of the United States b
not made applicable to the trade betwee
the islands and the mainland Of the Unite
States except with a proviso Or conditio
that the rates upon imports from tn
NJ Philippines into the United States sha
II not pay duty in excess Of 25 per cent
the Dingley tariff.
N To Encourage Railroads.
IL Congressional action authorizing tt
k Philippine commission. with the approv
e OF the president ana secretary OF war,
re encourage railroad construction in II
IL islands by accompanying the grants
franchises, when deemed necessary, wi
s. a guaranty by the Philippines of incon
ld on the amount of the investment, to
TX fixed in advance in the act of guarant
OF the amount Of income guaranteed not
n exceed annually 4 per cent Of the fix
he principal.
m That the amount of land which may
es acquired by any individual or corporate
OF be extended to $4,000 acres, and that t
u law which forbids the filing of more TIL
one mining claim by the same individu
, upon a lode or deposit be repealed.
~ Legislation authorizing the comnissi
. to make reductions present and futu
TIA tariff schedules when in it's opinion to
las so will be in the public interests; also
ne provide proper machinery for the extrat
led ton of fugitives to and from the islant
ers Slave Trade Ended.
,a aa In his report. as civil governor
~ ,a,, Moro province General Wood says sla
'e' trading has been brought practically
an end turnout the seacoast Mo
. districts, altho he says it undoubted
~ continues to some. extent between t