Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-05
our IHSULAR INTERESTS
According to Reports a Great
Deal OF Progress is Be.
lug Made.

| Aereslt ueli oil progress haS nsCn
madein many lines OF governments.
work. The Filipinos who are recon
clied TO tho American adminisN alton
If the Islands during the past nine
ears. have passed vote of thanks
II their assembly. Peaceful conii-
ions are prevailing in most of the
stands and there Is compllance With
uggeyrions by the Federal authori-
les looking to II general improve
ncnt OF all tbs people.
Railroad construction is an impor-
amt f5ature of the development OF
lie islands. When the United States
ntord tho Philippine Islands In
May. 1895. there were in operation
therein only 40 miles OF railroad.
extending from Manila northwarl 10
Nsupan. There was latsr construct
ID. under tlfs authority OF the Phil
ppine commission, enough addition
NJ Grackage to bing the total mileage
Up 10 about 200 miles. all being in
In island of Lnzon.
Under the enabling acts OF Con-
41i-ss of July 1. 1909. and Feb. 8,
sos further concesstonary grants
we're mare by the Philippine commits
'ion. on May 2S and June 10, 1906
RESPECTIVELY, 42S arliional miles
II railroad in Luzon and 295 miles In
he islands of Panay. Oebu and Nc
rros. Engineers representing the
Noncessionaries Immediately left the
United Stares 10 mals preliminary
'urveys and prepare specifications
md maps TO be submitted to the
rov'Enor general for approval OF final
route.
Thesth final routes are TO be sub
'tant'ally In accd dance with those
elected by the government. which
haT1 been highly recommended by
ne engineers both Of the government
md of the conc, ssion,Ghss, one of
hem stating that the same mirage
| 'ould moi have been better selected
% produce revenue or to serve the
-overnment's ends of reaching the
arge interior towns and rich uncul-
ivated lands and OF furnishing in
'u'Iet for the present and prospective
'roduce of the islands. All OF the
mes will run through rich country.
1pable OF producing large quantities
VI hemp. rice. sugar. tobacco. cabi-
ct woods and minerals.
This railroad building should do
'tore than all else toward developing
he islands and starting great va
iety of profitable industries.
In Manila there Is a postal say.
ngs bank, with 235 branch offices
throughout the islands. The number
II accounts opened in year OF oper-
,tion was 2676
The imports of the philippines from
he United Ststes amounted to over
100000 last year, an increase of
lore than $75O,OO0. Practically all
# this increase may be credited to
| 'otton cloth. The value OF exports
% all countries was in excess ofsany
revious year OF American occupa-
Ion. amounting to 81. .-o,223 above
| he figures for 1905. The largest In
Teases are to be noted in hemp and
| obacco.
In Cuba. peace and quiet reign
'ver the entire island, and confidence
'mong the business men IS again
| argely restored. The cost of tho
army of pacifcation in Cuba lIsom
let !. 1906. t June 80, 1907, was
S,376,735. The amount paid during
he SANS period from Cuban funds
| II account of American intervention
vas s3ST.7l Tho expenditures
rom this latter source are made from
unds allotted from time to thing by
he provisional governor from the
'uban treasury for certain expendi-
'ures of the army that would not he
necessary except for It's service In
| Cuba
| Tho customs receivership of Santo
Domingo continues under new condi-
ions ratified between the United
'tates and the Dominican republic,
July 8. 19O7.The treaty sets forth
hat this debts Of the Dominican re-
'ubl!c amount to more than $4,000
no, nominal or face value, which
ave been scaled down by a c5ndi-
'onal adjustment and agreement to
some s17,0O0,0OO. including interest,
n the payment of which the gov
'rnment has request d the assist
nee OF the United States. The lae-
or agrees to give this aHssistanc,,
subject to certain conditions. chief
'mong which Is that the President OF
he Unttsd States shall appoint the
General receive~ OF the Dominican
''fstoms and his assistants. ami that
he Dominican government shall pro
tide by lam for the payment to suc!,
1eneral receiver OF all the customs
'nt'es of the republic. BY this meth
I'd the United States can assist the
government AMI also secure the ne
/ urn Of funds loaned. --Roston Glnhe