Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-26
Prospecting
Philippine Commission Makes
Annual Report.
IMPORTS FOR 1911 HEAVY
Increase in Customs Revenues
Amounted to Nearly 81 900, 600.
HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE GOOD
Number Of Lepers % Decreasing.
Attendance at Public
Schools Large.
IMPORTS FOR 1911 HEAVY
HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE GOOD

be raised in the Philippine Islands. as. &C.
cording to the annual report Of tho Phil
ippine commission, most Of the provinces
have enjoyed year Of unprecedented
prosperity. The result Of tho legislation
by Congress which practically granted
free trade between tho islands and the
United States the commission says, has
surprised even its most optimistic friends
and advocates. The second year Of ex-
perience with that law has shown q de-
crease Of 100000 IN exports to the
United States, but considerable increase
In the imports from the United States.
The fact that the markets Of the United
States were open to the products Of the
islands has resulted In an increase In the
price Of sugar and tobacco and an I'm
provement in the market for copra, but
these products. as heretofore, have found
their way to the natural markets in the
nearby countries Of the orient.
The total value Of imports into the is
lands during the year amounted to $40.
1888, 722, as compared with So, O67, $50 for
1910. Tho United States headed the list
1910.
Exports Were $3e, TITS, 629.
The total value OF exports was $780,
778629. ~ compared with $50, TIT $50 the
previous year. Exports to tho United
States decreased from SIS, Tex. 67S In 1910
to SIC, 813. 1894. but this country still occu-
pies first place. taking over 10 per cent Of
the total exports. The principal articles
Of export are hemp. copra, sugar, tobacco.
cigars and cigarettes.
For the first time since 1904 the balance
nf frQdA 00a3nQf IA fc1o IN
extent of $1O.O65, 093. That difference.
however. IL less than at first appears.
says the commission. II the value Of arti-
cfes imported free Of duty by the army
pine Islands and government-aided rail-
ways Is considered. These importations.
amounting in value to =. S66,9S3, have
been included In the figures for 1911 for
the first time. There was an increase in
customs revenues OF nearly 81 900 and
in internal revenue Of more than ST.
10000.
Tranquility has reisned throughout the
islands, with no disturbances other than
those Of purely significance.
Railroad construction has progressed
steadily during the year. All lines in OPP
GRAFTON have proved unexpectedly pro-
ductive from the start The opening Of
these lines had an almost magical effect
In stimulating industry and fostering pro-
duction. The territory traversed. which
had been abandoned, has experienced an
agricultural awakening. The single prov
ince Of Batangas shipped 10000 tons Of
oranges the first year.
Cholera Is Decreasing.
Health conditions have been better than
ever before. Cholera has been lesser
menace than during any previous year
since its first appearance after Ameri-
can occupation. and no other dangerous
epidemic has gained Roadway in the is
lands. Extended Investigations have re-
suited in discoveries which have enabled
the health officials successfully to COM
bat q number of dread diseases. notably
beriberi. which has wholly disappeared
in government institutions. The number
Spouse to preventive measures and treat
ment.
The increase in school attendance has
been very satisfactory, the average at
tendance being over 50 per cent OF the
10000 children enrolled. The public
school system, established and conducted
on the lines Of that In the states. has
met with great public favor with the
people. They also appreciate the work
Of the University Of the Philippines, as
shown by the fact that 81 per cent Of the
high school graduates have entered this
university, which IL twice as great as the
the United States who enter college.
Special emphasis now Il being placed
on practical agricultural and Industrial
training, in order to meet the needs Of
the people and improve the economic con-
ditions now existing. The growth Of the
postal savings bank since its creation
has been steady and healthy.