The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-02-02

| W NASHiNtltN, feo. - TIVE ah'""
report OF the Philippine Comm's'
sion for leoi.s. together with the sep
arate mpor,s to the Commission Of ,h'
governor general Of the islands and OF
the heads OF the four executive depart
ments, has just been published by the
War Department,
Conditions as to Peace and Order /,
The governor, general, in his repor, to
the Philippine Commission, states, IN
part;
with the exception Of the provinces
Of Cayite, Batangas, and Samar peace
aud order have generally prevailed
throughout the islands, Except in these
provinces the instances of lawlessness
have been few and Insignificant Cattle
stealing, which was common two or
three years since, has almost entirely
ceased. and this, together with the SENSE
Of security which has come to the peo'
pie from vigorous pursuit Of these evil
doers, has principally contributed 20 the
increased cultivation mentioned above,
The provinces Of Cavite. Batangas, aud
Samar have been much afflicted during
the wear by organized adrone bands
which for considerable time pas, have
terrorized and plundered the people at
intervals. The effect OF their depNda-
tions resulted in the abandonment by
many of the inhabitants Of their rich.
est and best agricultural land,, and the
moving into the towns Of the farming
class, where 10 some extent at least
polio, protection was afforded them
Currency.
The new currency upon gold basis
has already taken the place Of the old
iluctuating Mexican, ish'tiliplno'
Chinese, and other foreign coins prev.
iously prevailing in the islands, amp
commercial contracts, importing. cS.
porting, buying. and also selling
within the islands are now all upon a
uniform basis and fixed, known stand
ard. aud the whole public and the gov.
ernment are able 10 forecast results, 80
far as such results depend upon the kind
Of money to be paid or received, as
the case may he.
The total amount Of the new cur
rency down 10 June 30, 1905, was 3l,'
a5552O pesos. Of which 2s,l6O,667 pesos
were In actual circulation, including in
this latter statement such pesos as were
represented In actual circulation by
silver certificates, Of which there was
O,45OOO0 pesos in circulation.
Congress has authorized the issue Of
larger denominations Of silver ccrtiii'
Gates to more than 2OOO0OtQ pesos in
the not distant future.
The Commission believes that great
relief. combined with entire safety,
might be secured If Congress would au.
thorize the u-e Of United States gold
coin IN part as reserve for the silver
certificates. such as gold coin being full
legal tender money in the Philippine
Islands. The government could then
purchase silver when the market il low
and abstain from purchasing sans when
the price Of silver is high. A portion Of
the gold coin consisting Of this reserve
against the certificates might be de-
posted in the United State, in author
ized repositories where it would draw
interest. which would make substan.
tia income for the benefit Of the gold
standard fund and the construction Of
new vaults would be unnecessary. In
this connection attention l. invited to
the fact that there j. Immediately avail
able in the insulaT treasury vault up
ward Of S3.OO00000 in United States
gold coin and that as the transfers of
funds from the treasury Of the United
States to the Philippine Islands for the
army and other purposes are mainly