The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-05-23
VAST FIELD FOR EXTENSION

ComIneTce III Inc Tar EaSb. we WEI
come American capital, We believe
in 1t. Our Government $ awake to the
great need of the time M u
This WAS the reply today Of RAJ
fael Palma, vice-president Of the Phil
ippine Mission, when asked for a
statement relative to opportunities
for the investment of American capi-
tai in the Philippines. The statement
is important, because it comes from
one Of the three foremost leaders Of
the party in power In the Philippines,
these three including Speaker Sergio
Osmena, Senate President Manuel L.
Quezon, and Mr.. Palma, who is Sec
rotary Of the Interior of the Philip
pines, and a member of the Philip
pine Senate. Mr.. Palma was born in
Manila in 1874 and has been an inn
portant figure in the political life of
the islands since early manhood. In
1908 he was appointed member Of
the Philippine Commission by Pres
idcnt Roosevelt, which was an evil
dence Of the confidence placed in him
by the American government, as the
Commission was at that time a very
important factor in the governing
power of the islands. -
Mr.. Palma is also an ex-newspaper
man, having been editor Of General
Luna's LA Independently, which Mr..
Palma admits was anything but a
quiet occupation in the stirring days of
1898, when the staff had to be almost
constantly flying before the advancing
lines of American troops. The edi-
torial room was frequently car on
some side track, and was more than
once punctured by bullets. When it
was found impossible to continue this
paper Mr.. Palma, was invited by Ser
gio 0smena, now Speaker Osmena, to
assist in editing journal in Cebu,
which was called GEL Nuevo Dia". This
was under the censorship Of General
Mcintyre and on the appearance of
the first number, the editors were left
in the singular position of seeing ev-
cry prominent article blue penciled.
Conditions are different now, however,
as Seniors Osmena and Palma occupy
high positions in the government OF
10,500,000 people.
Mr.. Palma is a. sincere advocate Of
United States and the Philippines,
and contends this can best be brought
about by final solution of the Philip
pine independence issue.
"The agricultural and commercial
possibilities of the Philippines are al
most limitless," said Mr.. Palma, re-
ferring to the openings for both large
and small American capitalists in the
islands. "Of the total area of 10000
square miles of rich tropical land, on
ly $4,000 square miles have been
touched by the pillow. The 100000
square miles remain in its primeval
state just waiting the industry of
man to give up its mineral wealth or
to produce bountiful crops of sugar,
hemp, cocoanuts, rubber, lumber and
all sorts of tropical raw materials.
The Philippines can sustain from six
ty to seventy million people. The Val
ley of Catabato alone can produce |
enough rice to feed the present popu-
lation of the islands. The entire archi- |
pelago, through modern scientific cul- |
tivation, the development of its natu-
raj resources, the Harvesting of It's
wonderful water powers and the de-
velopment of its commerce, can be
converted into paradise.
"Hanila hemp, the leading cordage
fiber Of the world, is produced only in
the Philippines. This fiber is OBJ
tanned from the stalk Of plant which
closely resembles the common banana,
and is known in the islands as 'abaca'.
The growing of hemp is one Of the SAT-
est and at the same time one Of the
most profitable lines of agricultural
investment in our country.
"Sugar cane can be produced very
cheaply, and is fast growing indus
try, offering great opportunities to in
vestors. The cocoanut industry has
developed into one Of the most lucra-
tives ones in the islands. The best
rubber producing lands in the world
may be obtained in the Philippines for
a few dollars per acre. The lumber
industry is but in its infancy, the
Philippine public forests covering 49,
000, 900 acres, with less than million
acres held by private owners.
ut is highly desirable that there be
greater business relations between
this country and the Philippines. Ours
is almost entirely an agricultural
country, with an abundant supply of
raw materials for your industry and
commerce. Yours is nation with
surplus of men and capital which could
assist US greatly in the development
of our natural resources.
"There is no friendship more last
ing than that which is based upon
economic relations. Our
trade suffered at times because of the
lack of proper understanding and the
of the future, as concerns
the granting of our complete indie
pendence, which is earnestly desired
by all the Filipino people. 1t has been
q noticeable fact that trade between
our two countries has advanced in al
most exact proportions with the
Of increas in self-goyernment
that has been granted us. When you
give us our complete independence,
you will then have not only our deep
gratitude, but the assurance of en-
during business relations. can state,
without hesitation and with UNSUITABLE
pride, that we can and will maintain
! stable government, guaranteeing ,
protection Of any capital invested for
The purpose Of assisting in the proper