The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-27
REPORT ON INSULAR AFFAIRS
BRIG. GEN. CLARENCE EDW ARDS
TO SEND PT TO CONGRESS-.


Ine r0stat sassnSs Banks suceessfua.
WASHINGTON. Dec. ?8.-Brig. Gen
Clarence X. Edwards. chief Of the bureau
OF insular affairs Of the War Department
recommends in his annual report. made
public to-day. that the ma limum bonded
indebtedness OF the Philippine Islands
he increased from SIS 900 900 to SO. 600 .OOO
in order TO permit additional public i'm
provements.
The act 81 Congress Of February q.
1906. Gen. Edwards says. authorized
the Philippine Government 10 incur a
ma ximum bonded indebtedness OF IS. OOO. =
900 Tor the construction OF port works.
roads bridges. schools and other public
improvements. The entire indie btedness
thus authorized has been incurred through
three ISSUES OF bonds. the proceeds OF
which have been devoted to public works,
the most important being the harbor i'm
provements at Manila. Cebu and Iloilo.
which have made the first one 81 the
best harbors in the East The entire pro-
ceeds Of the bond issues have been ap-
propriated and nearly all have been
expended
In order to- carry on the work at present
authorized or necessary 20 be undertak ken
in the near future bill was introduced
at the last session 90 increase the limit
of bonded Indebtedness for these purposes
to SO 100000. subject to- the same re-
strictions as fixed by the original act.
This bill passed the senate and after a
full hearing was favorably reported to
the House. where it now is awaiting
action.
The Governor General with the SUD
port of the Philippine Commission. has
earnestly recommended this legislation
and the Secretary Of War has approved
the measure and in view OF the safe
guards provided. which guarantee care
full consideration before any issue OF bonds
can be made. and the present excellent
financial condition Of the islands. il is
believed that favorable action by the
House is fully warranted
The operation Of the postal savings
bank. he saws. has been successful and
there are about 23o.2sI pesos deposited
by 1870 persons He recommends that
the rate Of interest be increased from
-, To per cent.
The summarization 81 trade returns,
Gen. Edwards adds, lis ample 10 show
that the establishment of free CONNER
cial relations between the two countrie.
marks a new era IN the material develop
ment OF the islands
In both imports and exports the values
recorded far exceeded those Of any
previous year Imports amounted to
81 ,0S7 $50 and were 50 215. 2a3 in excess Of
those Of 1879. while there was an increase
Of - $50. S0s IN the export total Of $780,
s6i. 1919 for 1910. In both branches Of the /.
trade the | ni'ed States was accredited
with the larger part OF these increases. |
imports OF American goods more than !
in value and exports increasing !
more than 81 per cent
Conditions IN Porto Rico n. adds are
prosperous There had been no serious
political agitation ard an encouraging
commercial and industrial development
The general health 81 the islands har oeen
good. the mortality rate being - 10 p~r
hOuSand. which compares favorsbly with
,'her countries. The hook worm disease
l- says Is gradually being Thought under
wholly with local funds. progress il nece--
'arily slow There has been a rapid ax-
en-Ion the report adds. OF good macad-
imized roads throughout the island
The Dominican customs rsceivership.
len Edwards says. il in satisfactory
During the five wears Of it's
operation slS. 5S3 $50 has been collected
md distributed IN accordance with the
nodu- vtysndI and the subsequent con-
Tention The receipts under the opera
ION OF the new Dominican tariff indicate
return To- normal and healthy trade CON
iIfiOn- ! ne report concludes
The revenue realized gives assurance
4 the tariff effectiveness as n r.yenu.
Measure that Will both meet the Conven-
ION requirements and satisfy the fscaI
leeds ~ the Dominican Government
he new tarif legislation has been favor
bly received and the outlook IL encour-
ging for a wear Of increased business 4
hat should promote a more general pros
,~ritv throughout the republic