Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1901 — PROGRESS IN PHILIPPINES [ARTICLE]

PROGRESS IN PHILIPPINES

Secretary Root’s Report Gives Development Details. FINANCES IN GOOD SHAPE. Bn|f«U( That Uwi He Pund Permitting the Development of the Materiel Resource* of the Islands —Big Improvements In Manila Harbor. Washington dispatch: The second part ot the annual report of Secretary of War Root, made public today. Is devoted entirely to the government of the Philippines. The report reveals, as has no other public document issued this year, the progress made by the United States in establishing a modern system of government in the archipelago. Financially the insular government is on good footing. The revenues for the fiscal year 1901 amounted to *10,817,662, as against *6,723,852 for 1900. The expenditures were *6,763,821 in 1901, as against *5,218,381 in 1900. The surplus at the date of the last report was $4,053,840. Commerce Is Growing. Commerce is increasing at a rapid rate. The total value of merchandise imported in the fiscal year of 1901 was $30,279,406, an increase of <7 per cent over 1900. The exports amounted to *23,214,948, an increase of 17% per cent over 1900. The imports from the United States show an increase of 72.4 per cent over the imports of 1900,.and the exports to the United States show a decrease of 27 per cent from the exports of 1900. The imports from the United Kingdom, from Germany, from France and from the British East Indies have increased in a greater proportion than the imports from the United States. Recommendation* to Congress. Secretary ,Root makes the following recommendations: That congress at once pass laws permitting the, development of the material resources of the islands by private capital. That the national banking system be extended to the islands, there being no American banks and no power to create banking corporations. That, the United States authorize an insular coinage of pesos, of a little less than the weight and fineness of the Mexican pesos of 377.17 grains of pure silver, at the rate of two silver pesos for one gold dollar. \ That the insular government and the cities of the archipelago be given power to raise money by the issue of bonds for educational and public works. That the lands owned by religious orders—4o3,ooo acres, be purchased by the government. Progress ot Public Works. Secretary Root devotes a large part of his report to the progress of public works in the islands. Manila harbor is being improved at a cost of *2,000,000. Two million dollars (Mexican) is being expended in the construction of highways and bridges, 800 miles of road being in process of construction.