The San Francisco call., 1905-01-16
ASK new LAWS
IN PHILIPPINES
Commissioners Want Tariff
Reduced and a Big Sum
for Future Improvements
ANNUAL REPORT MADE
Railroad Work and Control
of Shipping Desired for
Islands. by the Leaders

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE annual
report of the Philippine Commission to
the Secretary of War says that is soon
as the people came to understand that
the Government had both the ability
and the will to protect them they began
to cooperate cordially with the con-
stabulary and other peace officers.
The nom Christian tribes of the pro-
vince 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
protection.
The report says that a pacific policy
toward the Moros seemed to give them
the impression that the Americans
were afraid of them, but short, deci-
sive campaign gave them to under
stand that the Americans had not only
the purpose, but the power. to support
authority and enforce order.
There is no reason" it is added, ito
expect any further trouble with the
Sulu Moros."
The report, after referring to the sat
isfactory adjustment of the friar lands
question, says there still continues to
be much controversy and Ill feeling be-
tween the Independent Filipino church
or AgllDdydIS, DIS LIlcy dIt cOIlliIlODly
called-and the Roman Catholic apos-
tolic church in regard to the churches,
converts and cemeteries in many locali-
ties.
The report urges that the commission
be given authority to make reductions
in the tariff schedules. the commission
saying in this connection that 1t always
has felt there should exist the most
intimate trade relations between the
ord he fc1o
RECONIMENDATION MADE.
The commission makes the following
recommendations:
Reduction of the tariff on sugar and
tobacco to not more than 25 per cent of
the Dingley rate.
That authority be given the commits
sion, with the approval of the Presi-
dent and Secretary Of War, to issue
bonds from time to time for future i'm
proyements, not to exceed SIS, ,000, 900 in
the aggregate.
Legislation exempting all bonds is
sued by the Philippine Government or
any of the provincial or municipal gov
ernments, not only from Federal or
Philippine taxation, but from State,
county and municipal taxation in the
United States.
That control of the shipping be left
yolly to the discretion of the Philip
pine Commission subject to the .ap-
proval of the President and Secretary
of War.
That the application of the United
States coastwise navigation laws to the
trade between the Philippines and the
mainland of the United States be post
pcned by Congressional action until
July 1, 1909, or, in the alternative, that
the coastwise laws of the United States
be not made applicable to the trade
between the islands and the mainland,
except with proviso or condition that
the rates upon imports from the Phil
ippines into the United States shall not
pay duty in excess of 25 per cent Of the
Dingley tariff
Congressional action authorizing the
Philippine Commission, with the ap-
proval of the President and Secretary
of War, to encourage railroad construc-
ton in the islands by accompanying
the grants or franchises, when deemed
necessary, with guaranty by the
Philippine Government of income on the
amount of the investment. to be fixed
in advance in the act of guaranty, the
amount of income guaranteed not to
exceed annually per, cent Of the fixed
principal.
SLAVERY AMONG MOROS.
In his report as Civil Governor of
Moro province, General Wood says
slave trading has been brought prac-
tically to an end throughout the sea
coast Moro districts, although he says
it undoubtedly continues to some ex-
tent between the inland Moros and the
savage tribes of the interior. General
Wood says it would be difficult to
imagine a worse form of slavery. the
slave having absolutelysno rights.
In submitting the report, Secretary
Taft says ladronism is confined to the
Lake Lanao region and the Island of
Jolo.
AS to finances he says that from the
central government last year the
amount expended did not exceed
81, ,200, 900, as against $1.600.00o the pre-
vious year. He adds that without
wasting money, $5.000.000 a year in the
maintenance Of the public schools of
the Philippine islands could be readily
expended The enrolment has increas-
ed from $4,000 to 26S,000 in one year.
and there Is demand for American
teachers and Filipino teachers in each
province. The total expenditures for
education last year. including those
from central provinces and municipal
governments, was nearly $2,000,000.