El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-07

wholly unframed in an understanding
of, and the exercise OF, political rights
under republican form Of government
is so small, and under the best and
most rapid development possible under
existing conditions will for a long pc
Rod continue so small that it is a de-
fusion, If the present policy of control
OF the islands by the American people
shall continue, to encourage the Fill
Pine people in the hope that the ad
ninistration of the islands will be
turned over to them within the time
of the present generation
Peace. law and order prevail through
out the islands. Ladrones OF robber
bands are almost if not entirely sup
pressed and the head hunting tribes OF
Bontoc, who year ago were engaged
in taking heads, are now devotinG
themselves TO agriculture and other
peaceful pursuits and enjoying the COM
forts of life All the wild tribes are
beginning to see and appreciate what
is being done for them. Good progress
is being made in learning the English
language.
The constabulary consists of 322 Off
GERS and 4451 enlisted men operating
from 13s stations. While most of the
officers are Americans, there are a
number Of Filipino officers, and it is
the policy to fill vacancies by their
appointment as rapidly as they meet
the requirements. The constabulary is
valuable in various ways besides serv-
ing as a military force to keep order
and suppress fnsurection.
The secretary, speaking of his inves-
LEGATIONS, relative to the recent sale
of friar lands, given much notoriety
in the last session, found no basis for
the extreme statements then made
The number Of Filipino employees in
the civil service is shown to be stead
lily increasing, and that of Americans
proportionately decreasing, it being the
policy to proceed as rapidly as the good
Of the service will permit in Increasing
the Filipino employees.
Artesian wells in the islands now
number 429 and a marked improvement
in the health conditions is noted where
these wells are in use
The agricultural industry has been
almost Frustrated in many portions OF
the islands through loss of work ami
mails by rinderpest
Practically all the lepers have been
segregated and transported TO the leper
colony on the island Of Culion, where
there are now about 5000. Apparent
cures have been effected by the use Of
chaulmoogra oil and further t.vestiga-
tions are being conducted.
The secretary found much Of interest
at the penal colony at Iwahig, on the
island Of Palawan, where thousands Of
criminals live together on penal res
ervation of go square miles and carry
on industrial and agricultural pursuits
under an administration largely con-
troled by themselves.
The number of miles of railroad now
in operation by the Philippine Railway
H. 81 To-, IL
Railroad company 362, with construc-
tion work proceeding as rapidly as
possible.
The statement of exports and i'm
ports shows that the foreign business
of the islands has greatly increased
since 1907.
There is in course of construction in
Manila hotel, the estimated cost Of
building and furnishing being s450,0O0
of which $500, ZOO were loaned by the
insular government upon bonds Sc
cured by mortgage.
A board has been appointed with in
structions to investigate the subject Of
raising forage for horses and mules in
the Philippines and to devise and rec
ommend plans for the economical pro-
duction of forage for draft animals of
the army and other branches of the
government.
The secretary recalls that congress
made an appropriation Of $4,000, en-
aiding the war department to exercise
an option on certain coal claims on the
island of Batan, but has since failed TO
make provision for the development Of
same. He recommends an appropria-
ton Of $3.50, 000.for this purpose 1t is
stated that in time Of extreme need the
value of this coal property to the gov
eminent would be beyond calculation in
dollars and cents.
The act of congress Of February 6, |
1905, authorized the Philippine govern
ment to incur a maximum Indebtedness
of $1,000. 600 for the construction of
port works, roads, bridges. schools and
other public improvements The entire
proceeds of the bond issues to this
maximum amount have been appro-
priated and the secretary wants &c. |
000, 600 more.
The present law in the islands pro- /
vides that no person or corporation
shall hold in his or it's name more than |
one mineral claim on the same vein or |
lode. Amendments to this law are rec
commended