The Washington times., 1911-02-18

pines. Congress neglected, however,
specifically to throw about the friar
! lands, the same restrictions as to sale
and lease that 1t had thrown about the
public lands, originally acquired by
treaty when the islands were ac-
quired.
The Philippine Commission holds that
that the limitations of the act govern
ing publis lands do not apply. In this
1t is supported by the opinion of the
present Attorney General of the United
point, and declares the intent of Con-
gress to have been that the friar lands
be treated as public lands
Mr.. Ralston contends that the Philip
pine government has violated the law
In selling or leasing these lands to per-
sons other than citizens, in tracts
greater than provided by the original
Philippine government act. His
charges against the Philippine govern
ment and the sugar interests in frair
land transactions follow:
Sugar Interests Get Foothold.
"San Jose Estate-In the island of
Mindoro is tract of ifriar lands, about
5000 acres in extent, which the Philip
pine government has contracted to sell
and in large part has sold to z. L.
Poole, as representing H. o. Havemeyer,
Charles ]. Welsh, and Charles H Senff,
all of whom for years have been en-
gagged in sugar growing or refining in
the United States. Cuba, and the Ha-
waiian Islands. CThis transaction was
in 1907 These gentlemen, long before
others appreciated the fact, realized
that Congress would so act as to sugar
from the Philippines that its production
there would be especially profitable and
adsptable lands advance in value.
1.-The Isabella Tract-E. b. Bruce, of
Manila, whose firm represents the
principal American exploiting interests
In the Philippines, represented the
Havemeyer syndicate in the San Jose
transaction and, on his own behalf and
deemed the opportunity of obtaining
landed wealth in the Philippines too
good to he lost. Accordingly, we find
that on January 6, 1910, he entered into
a contract Of lease for one year WITH
right of purchase OF approximately 1900
acres of the IsaDela tract. For thfS,
If he completes his purchase, he will
pay $2l1 go in twenty installments with
4 per cent interest on deferred payments.
For the lease for one year he pays 800.
The Calamba and Binan tracts
Shortly after the above transactions,
there appeared at Manila A. F. Thayer,
who professed to represent. and doubt
less in certain respects, If not in all,
did represent, the Dillinghams, extern
sive sugar growers of the Hawaiian
Islands, and there was leased to him on
April 2, 1910, more than 1000 acres of
the Calamba estate for the term Of six
months and for the sum of 1873 pesos
We find. however, that A. +. Thayer
Is the lessee of total of l,22S acres OF
the Binan estate, and total of 5000
acres of the Calamba estate. He ac-
quired control, therefore, of approxf-
mately more than 10000 acres of valu-
able lands"
Recommendations for Remedy.
In conclusion, Mr.. Ralston sets forth
a number OF recommendations for Con-
gressional action calculated to remedy
the conditions of which he complains. |
The recommendation follow:
Many of the most prominent Amer !
can officials in the Philippine Islands
have demonstrated such intellectual
unfitness and moral obtuseness that
they should be summarily removed.
"The Philippine government without
of public and friar lands to be exc
cuted to American citizens and corpo-
rations. The Attorney General should
be empowered to take appropriate meth |
DDS to have these instruments set
aside.
1T should be made a criminal offense
for Philippine officials directly or indi- |
-ectlv to purchase or lease the lands of !
he Philippines. I
Such further legislation should be |
1ad as will absolutely prevent Amer !
can exploitation of the Philippines so |
ong as we exercise jurisdiction over
hem