Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-03-14
PROSPERITY IN
THE PHILIPPINES.
COmnissIoHS R3p.Tt For 1911
Is Highly Encouraging,
MORE TRADE AND REVENUES.

Peace and Order Uniformly Maintain
ed-Health Conditions Satisfactory.
New Railroad OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
System In Favor.
In the annual report of the Philip
pine commission for the fiscal year
1911. Just issued by the bureau of in
sular affairs. war department, it is
stated that the cry of hard times" can
no longer be raised in the Philippine
Islands. as most Of the provinces have
enjoyed year Of unprecedented pros
perity. The result Of the legislation
by congress which practically granted
free trade between the islands and the
United States has surprised even Its
most optimistic friends and advocates.
The second year Of experience with
this law has shown a decrease Of So
OOO, 900 in exports to the United States.
but considerable increase in the i'm
ports from the United States. The fact
that the markets of the United States
were open to the products Of the Is
lands has resulted in an increase In
the price Of sugar and tobacco and an
improvement in the market for copra.
but these products. as heretofore. have
found their way to the natural mar
kets in the nearby countries Of the
orient.
The total value Of imports into the
islands during the year amounted to
Si9,s33.122 as compared with S37.067,-
$50 for 1910. The United States head
ed the list Of countries with 40 per
cent Of the total importations as
against 90 per cent in 1910
The total value Of exports was $780,
11S,629 as compared with S39.117 800
the previous year. Exports to the
United States decreased from SIS 793,-
67S in 1910 to sl6.s13, s64, but this
country still occupies first place taking
over 40 per cent Of the total exports
The principal articles Of export are
hemp. copra. sugar. tobacco, cigars
and cigarettes.
Balance Of Trade.
For the first time since 1904 the bal
ance of trade was against the islands
to the extent Of slo.O55O93. This diff
ference. however, is less than at first
appears if We take into consideration
the value of articles imported free Of
duty by the army and navy, the gov
eminent of the Philippine Islands and
government aided railways. These i'm
portations. amounting in value to S4.-
So. 1888. have been included in the fig
ures for 1911 for he first time.
There was an increase in customs
revenues of nearly Sl.0U00o0 and in in
terna revenue OF more than 81 900. 900.
Tranquility has rei-ned throughout
the islands with only such disturb
ances as might be expected in any com
munity and having no other than Il
purely local s2nti ance.
Railroad construction has progressed
steadily during the year. The mai!i
lines in the islands Of Panay and Cebu
are in full operation and only short
branch lines remain to be laid
In Luzon the work on the northern
lines is nearly complete and the CON
struction Oh the lines south of Manila
is being rapidly pushed
Health Conditions.
Health conditions have been better
than ever before Cholera has been
lesser menace than during any previ-
Gus year since its first appearance aft
er American occupation and no other
dangerous epidemic has gained head
way in the islands. The number of
lepers is steadily decreasing in re-
Spouse to preventive measures and
treatment.
The increase in school attendance has
been very satisfactory. the average at
tendance being over so per cent Of the
COO 900 children enrolled. The public
school system, established and conduct
ed on the lines If that in the states.
has met with great pubic favor with
the people
Special emphasis Is now icing placed
on practical az icultur:l ana indu,friJ
training in order to ,-cre tie nee1S Of
the peop'e and inpr - tho economi.
conditions now existing
The growth # the postal saving,
bank sin o it, creation has been steady
and heaulr. At the close Of the fiscal
year l9ll tie -a;n in Filipino deposi-
tor. was more than III pei cent over
the 'rav'ol. years. aud more than 50
per ,e.t of an the open accounts We're
he'd rs Tuinnos rs compared with -
per cent on June 30, 1910 There was