The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-12-07
NEEDS OF FILIPINOS
FREE TRADE, MONEY FOR FARM
ERS AND RAILWAY SYSTEM
Colonel Edwards, Chief of InsuIar
Bureau, Recommends Some Radical
Changes to improve Desperate Con-
dition Of Our Oriental Subjects


Washington, Dec. 4.-Col. Clarence
r. Edwards, chief of the bureau of
insular affairs, in his annual report
to the secretary of war, states
that the three most important needs
of the Philippine islands today are a
market, the opportunity for farmers
TO borrow money at reasonable rates
of interest and adequate transporta-
tion facilities Provision for the lat
ter has been made by congress. He
says the first of these needs, SO far
as it may be provided by the reduc-
ton of the Dingley tariff on Philippine
products, gained the consideration of
congress in it's last days and nine
to nine verdict in favor of the propo-
sition was given but too late to be
finally acted upon by either the. house
or the senate.
No Cause for Apprehension
The report recites that it is under
stood that there is still considerable
apprehension that this will interfere
with the sugar and tobacco industries
in this country, but the belief is ex-
pressed that with possibly one or two
exceptions those congressman who
had an opportunity to investigate the
subject at first hands las summer,
are convinced that there is needless
apprehension that any damage will
obtain.
Colonel Edwards says the recon-
mendation upon which the Curtis bill
will be based will be presented to the
coming congress with the additional
recommendation
Agricultural Bank
Attention is called to the considera-
ton which has been given by the
| Philippine commission to an agricul-
tural bank scheme, it being stated
! that at present the farmer and land
owner find it next to impossible to
| borrow money upon their lands at a
reasonable rate, the prevailing rates
being from 2 to 10 per cent month.
1.-THE report says that the Philippine
commission will probably ask that it
be permitted to grant concessions and
guarantees for private bank, the
Philippine government guaranteeing a
/ dividend of 4 per cent for certain
| period, and the commission regulating
loans and limiting rates of interest.
Homesteads Too Small
II is stated that the limitations as
to the size of the homestead imposed
| hv ayictiuo laws has acted as n bar tO
the development of land for agricul-
/ tural purposes, and the belief is ex-
pressed that the Limitation should be
increased to at least 160 acres for a
single homestead entry and materially
increased for corporations in the less
populated islands, especially in the
islands of Mindora, Palawan and
Mindanao, where only great induce
ments to capital will ever reclaim
valuable lands from rne Jungle and
savagery."
The rise In the price OF silver
4 which has occurred within the last
three years has eliminated recently
In price which brings the bullion
value In the Philippines up to the
legal parity in gold and has caused
fears that the coins might permanent
ly 20 above parity There would BIZ
danger that this would result In tho
expectation OF tho coins In sucl
amounts as To leave the Islands will
an insufficient supply OF currency.
silver VIII Not Down
While there are some reasons fol
thinking that the present price 81