The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-02
|ANNUAL REPORT
ON Philippine
.tLadronc Bands Have Been Sup
pressed and No Further !.
Trouble Expected.
FINANCES ARE IN GOOD ORDER
American Enterprises and Indus.
tries Have Made Great Head
way in. the Island.


way in the Island.
WASHINGTON, d. c., January IL
The annual report OF the Philippine
Commission for the fiscal year ended June
60. 1906, together with the separate reports
to the commission OF the governor
general of tina islands and of the heads
OF the four executive departments has
Just been published by the War Depart
ment
q 1t Is stated tina. the remnant OF the
bands OF ladrones which have infested the
provinces OF Cavite and Batanyas in the
neighborhood OF Manila since the Spanish
regime have been finally broken up, one
OF the most desperate leaders killed, and
The others. TO the number OF twelve. were
30 bounded by the constabulary that they
came in and voluntarily surrendered with
out any condition. promise, or inducemcnt
on the part OF the government other than
TINT they would be protected In coming
to Manila and receive q fair trial.
Later adyices from the Philippines give
the information that these men have been
tried before a Filipino Judge and have
been shown to be guilty. without excep-
ton, OF the most flendish and cruel mur-
ders and shocking mutilations. and all
hut one were sentenced to death, he being
sentenced to thirty years imprisonment.
1t IL significant that all OF these Lead
ers OF outlaws took high-sounding titles
in an imaginary Filipino republic or re-
liglous organization calculated to Impress
the Ignorant natives and gain follow
ing. With the surrender Of the consti-
tuted leaders the lawless and Unaffected
had no one around whom to gather. and
were quick to follow the example of the
former by surrendering their arms and
entering peaceful pursuits.
&, These two provinces have always been
the Btorm-centre OF ladronism. but now
that peace once more rcgns and life and
property are safe. tic people. no longer
fearing robbery or molestation while in
the pursuit OF their empioyments, or the
devastation OF their homes, the carrying
away of their wives and daughters, and
the destruction OF their property and all
OF the fruits OF their industry at the
hands OF the outlaws. their relief IL I'M
bounded, and their confidence In the per-
nanency OF these conditions Is attested
by the fact that they have placed under
cultivation a larger acreage OF land than
ever before. Aguinaldo states that he
believes there viii be very little further
trouble from outlaws In this section, ana
\
belief 1t Is cited that since these sur
renders he has leased from the bureau
of lands nearly 100 acres OF land in
an outlying district. close TO the noun
tains. hitherto infested by outlaws.
Industrial Conditions.
The reports Of the various Governors.
taken as n whole, indica te.tllat the crops
are in a mora prosperous condition. ex-
cent as TO tobacco. sugar and hemp.
plants of the latter having been damaged
by a destructive typhcon to the extent
of about 81. 100000 IN value of the crop.
The reduction III tho production Of to-
bacco Is due largely 10 lack OF a suitable
market. that OF the United States being
closed by the absolutely prohibitorr duties
imposed by the Dingley tariff, and to the
consequent low price realized for tie leaf.
In the matter of exports, the loss was
made up by the increase In the produce
ton and expectation of coconnuts The
imports were reduced below the preced-
Ing year By. some 81. 900 900, n large por-
ton Of which consisted In the reduced !
3tmportations of rice, which Is 81 good |
sign, as II indicates that the Philippines |
ARE raising their own rice and extending !
their agriculture, which for a number OF |
years has been retarded by death OF cat
tie and draft animals from rEderpeGt,l
locust plaques, etc. The balance of trade |
In favor Of the islands was about Sc. ooo.- /
600. Enormous numbers of new plants |
Of Manila hemp maguey Ga most useful [
hbre fplantl, and coccanuts have been set |
out, and there has been n largo Increase |
inathe area planted to rice.
Another good sign OF returning pros-E
.pcrity is the increased purchases OF Inn
proved agricultural implements and ma
chlnery. which not merely denotes I'M
5provement In purchasing power on tile
part OF the people. but also furnishes tie |
material for constantly enlarged produce
ton.
Financial Condition.
The financial condition OF the islands
Is reported to be very much better than
for several years At the close OF the |
last fiscal year there remained an eS.s
cess of receipts over expenditures OF |
over a million and half gold, due IN |
part to the increased collections by the |
bureau of internal revenue and in part |
to the greater economy In expenditures,
and 1t Is confidently stated that during /
;theacoming year there will be sufficient |
amount available over and above the or
binary expenses Of the government. to [
devote two or three millions to mucll-s
needed internal improvements. road and 4
bridge building and permanent public
works.
In addition to the certificates OF Sin-
'dePtedness OF sl0oo,0oo on account of the
gold-standard fund tho only bonded In
tdebtedness OF the insular government is
s7.0o0,000 In four per cent. bonds Issued
for the purpose OF purchasing the friare
lands and $3,50o, 900 In public-improve.
ment bonds
Manila Harbor.
In the aggregate tho Philippine Com
mission report to have expandcd about
s4,500,0O0 in the Improvement Of the har-
bon of Manila, and state that It is now
safe against typloons and probably the
best in the Orient. Snventy-eight per
cent, Of tho total final area Of the har
hor has been dl.edged to- depth of
thirty feet, ana the detached break
water is completed, has stood admirably,
and is fulfilling its purpose, Contractss
have been awarded for two steel and