Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-05
THE PHILIPPINES.
Slowly Recovering From Disasters. They
Need the Help of Congress.

During the last year Tue 10uliipi'luc
Islands have been slowly recovering
from the series of disasters which
since American occupation have great
" reduced the amount of agricultural
products below what was produced in
Spanish times. The war. the rinder-
pest. the locusts. the drought and the
cholera have been united as causes to
prevent a return of the prosperity much
needed in the islands. The most Seri
Gus is the destruction by the rinder-
pest of more than 10 per cent of the
draft cattle. because il will take sew
eral years OF breeding to restore the
necessary number of these indispen-
sable aids to agriculture. The commits
sion attempted to supply by purchase
from adjoining countries the needed
cattle, but the experiments made were
unsuccessful Most of the cattle i'm
ported were unable to withstand the
change of climate and the rigors of the
voyage and died from other diseases
than rinderpest.
The income of the Philippine govern
ment has necessarily been reduced by
reason of the business and agricultural
depression in the islands. and the gov
eminent has been obliged to exercise
great economy to cut down its eX-
penses to reduce salaries and i'll every
way to avoid deficit. 1t has adopted an
internal revenue law imposing taxes
on cigars. cigarettes and distilled hq-
uors and abolishing the old Spanish in
dustrial taxes. The law has not Operat-
ed as smoothly as was hoped and, al
though it's principle is undoubtedly cor
rect, il may need amendments for the
purpose of reconciling the people to its
provisions The income derived from
it has partly made up for the reduction
in customs revenue.
There has been a marked Increase i'll
the number of Filipinos employed in
the civil service and a corresponding
decrease in the number of Americans.
The government in every one of its de-
partments has been rendered more eff
| ficient by elimination of undesirable
material and the promotion of desery-
ing public servants.
improvements of harbors, roads and
| bridges continue. although the cutting
down Of the revenue fOrbids the ex-
| penditure of any great amount from
current income for these purposes.
Steps are being taken by advertise
ment for competitive bids to secure
! the construction and maintenance of
| 1000 miles of railway by private cor
porationS under the recent enabling
| legislation of the congress. The trans
| fer of the friar lands in accordance
1 with the contract made some two years
| ago has been completely effected and
| the purchase money paid. Provision
| has just been made by statute for the
| speedy settlement in a special proceed
| ing in the supreme court of controver-
| sizes over the possession and title OF
! church buildings and rectories arising
between the Roman Catholic church
| and schismaticS claiming under ancient
municipalities. Negotiations and hear
ings for the settlement of the amount
| due to the Roman Catholic church fol-
rent and occupation of churches and
rectories by the army of the United
States are in progress. and il Is hoped
satisfactory conclusion may be sub
mitted to the congress before the END
! of the session.
All but Four Provinces at Peace.
Tranquility has existed during the
I past tbipuehOuA tbS .
! except in the province of Cavite. tbs
province of Batangas and the province
Of Samar and in the island Of JolC
| among the Moros. The Jolo disturb
ance was put an end TO by severa
sharp and short engagements, and nov
peace prevails in the Moro province
! Cavite. the mother Of ladrones in th'
Spanish times. is so permeated witt
the traditional sympathy of the peopl'
i for ladronism as to make IL difficult e
stamp out the disease. Batangas wa
only disturbed by reason of the fugi
i tive ladrones from Cavite. Samar wa
thrown into disturbance by the unedu
Gated and partly savage peoples Twin;
in the mountains. who. having beer
given by the municipal code more pow
er than they were able to exercise dis
oxeetly. elected municipal officers VIII