January 11, 1904.1
As is pretty well known, the Chinese revers nobody so much as the man who shows by the length of his grey beard that he is the grand- father of numbers of grandchildren-the more, so much the better. Curiously enough, the Chinese beggars turn this to their advantage. A venerable-looking old man was holding forth in eloquent fashion, in one of the bye-streets off Queen's Road the other night, to the effect that he had a grandson who had treated him ill. His plaint drew round him a small crowd of sympathising listeners, who lavished upon him a plenitude of cash and cents. Then two Europeans came along and joined in the throng. One of them apparently "smelt a rat." for he thrust forward his hand and got hold of the old mendicant's beard, which came off, leaving the clean chin of a lusty coolie; then followed a tug at the moustache with like results. The Chinese who been duped laughed as loudly as those who laughed at them, ad the sham grandfather fled up a side alley as fast as his legs could carry him.
Standing on Blake Pier the other day, I happened to over-hear a fragment of conversa- tion between two skippers, who had just landed from their respective boats, and it struck me that the first speaker was advocating a very good move. His contention was that when a vessel carried only a mate and a second mate the captain should take the dog-watch. He stated he invariably did it himself, as it made things a bit easier for the mates, and he said it ought to, and he hoped it soon would, be the universal rule throughout the Mercantile Marine. Tho other speaker, while not entirely disagreeing with No. 1, said he thought it should be left to the skipper himself to do as he thought proper in the matter, and not enforce the innovation by any hard and fast rule. No doubt when only two mates are carried was a bit hard for them, and, said No. 2, in most cases when a
skipper realised this, he would voluntarily help them along. But two sea-dogs chatting on a pier won't work a revolution. A "Skipper's
Club" is the channel to make for.
BANYAN.
REAR-ADMIRAL STIRLING, U.S.N.,
AT HONGKONG.
'CĦINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
GOVERNOR TAFT ON THE
PHILIPPINES.*
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Manila, 1st January,
A RECORD OF PROGRESS.
which, besides relieving the distress, gave worl to the idle. More money was spent in thế fight for the extermination of destructive locusts which ruined the crops of several provinces.
During the year 1903 about $100,000 were spent in the purchase of cariboos for farming purposes. Most of this money went to China. The inoculation of the beasts has not been at- tended with a great measure of success and many diet, though the recent shipments have apparently been of better stock and more im- proved methods of inoculation have been em- ployed. Many imported cariboos are now working in the depleted districts and giving satisfaction.
Large sums have been expended in the survey and construction of new provincial roads and in repair of old ones. These expenditures have been made from the three million relief fund a propriated by Congress.
The hemp-crop of last year was the greatest in the history of the Philippines, nearly one million bales being produced, and the Govern ment is making efforts with the growers and shippers to improve the quality.
Shortly before the departure of Governor Taft from Manila he stated in an interview with the correspondent of the Daily Press, that, while he greatly regretted leaving the Philippine Islands and giving up his part in the development of a system of government for so promising a people, nevertheless the present occasion was the most favourable that could be selected for the separa- tion. He would prefer to remain chief executive of the new possessions, but President Roosevelt earnestly desired him to take over the duties of Secretary of War on the resignation of Mr. Root, and that settled the matter. The retiring Governor stated that never in the history of the archipelago had conditions been so favourable. The scheme of government had been pieced together in much baste, often under adverse conditions of insurrection. famine, and pestilence, and mistakes were inevitable; but during the last year splendid progress was visible in every branch. The rough corners had been trimmed had been partly overcome through the rapid away, obstacles of language and location establishment of efficient schools and the expenditure
ext nsive farmers of the islands will be threatened with roadways. The people were coming into ery heavy losses, and in many cases with absoluted closer relationship with themselves and destruction. The Governor promises to do his with courts in every province, presided over by reduced duties ou sagar and tobacco. with the Government. The excellent judiciary, best to influence Washington in favour of both American and Filipino judges, whose services were satisfactory in the great majority of cases, was last teaching the people the dignity and justice of honestly administered law, and doing away with much of the corruption and prejudice which formerly attached to the court
of liberal
sums io
room. The treatment of ontlaws and ladrones instead of making them the subjects of summary as common criminals subject to ordinary law,
executions, did away with all chances for hero worship and would-be martyrs, and was most satisfactory. Many of the death sentences were imposed by Filipino judges.
GENERAL PEACE.
It can safely be stated that there is general peace throughout the archipelago, said the Governor, when questioned on this much-discussed subject. Of course there are small disturbances from time to time in isolated districts, but these are Rear-Admiral Stirling, from the U.S. flagship unimportant, easily controlled, and may be Rainbow, paid an official visit to H.E. Mr. expected for some time in a country recently F. H. May, C.M.G., at Government House on harassed by insurrection and agricultural de Thursday morning. The Rear-Admiral, accompression and peopled by widely varying races, panied by Lieut. Palmer, flag-secretary, and who, in addition to other considerations, are Lieut. Stirling, son of tear-Admiral Stirling, being gradually discipline under new laws, flag-lieutenant, arrived to Blake Pie, in the executed more or less by new and strange people. Rainbow's steam-barge, shortly before eleven The constabulary has taken up the work done by o'clock. He was received there by U.S. the army so well that the roving bands of outlaws Vice-Consal Hobbins and by a guard of honour. which infested the productive provinces and with band, from the Sherwood Foresters. The robbel and killed their industrious countrymen Rear-Admiral returned the general salute, any have been pretty thorough cleaned up and proceeded to Government House in the U.S.bounded to a finish. Most of the leaders have been Consul's chair, carried by the stars-and-stripes- killed or captured, and many have been executed robed coolies. Rear-Admire Stirling arrived after regular trial before competent courts. here from Manila by the Rainbow on the 5th For many months the fear of these ladrones inst., as has already been recorded in the Daily was so widespread, and with much reason, that Press. The Rainbow went into dock on the 6th. the people refused to aid the authorities by It sounds somewhat peculiar that the flagship giving information ;
but now dangerous Rainbord was once upon a time the British characters or gangs of ladrones scarcely cattle-steamer Norse King, trading between approach a town before m ssengers are sent to Liverpool, Antwerp, and New York. She is the nearest constabulary, army, or scout-post not regarded as a fighting craft, but as a large, to give the alarm. Mach is heard of comfortable ship from whence to direct the movements of the southern squadron of the U.S. Asiatic fleet. Rear Admiral Stirli g arrived to Manila by the U.S first class battle ship Wisconsin last June, and then took over command of the squadron; he has since then been pretty busy cruising in Philippine waters.
late of the " Moro question," but with proper handling there is little to fear from the Moros. Special legislation has been enacted for them, and with some modifications affairs will be well adjusted in the recently created Moro province, which at present is under the guidance of General Wood as governor.
AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS,
The Rear-Admiral paid only a formal cal on H.E. Mr. May, lasting about ten minutes. The wealth of the Philippines depends on The visit had been arrauged for a couple of agriculture, and this most important means of days before. The following cards were left at livelihood is slowly recovering from the unfor- Government House-Rear-Admiral Yates tunate state into which it fell during the years Stirling, U.S.N., Mr. Harry Mears Hobbins, of insurrection and pestilence. About one-half Vice-Consul-General of the United States, a million dollars was spent by the Government Lisut Leigh Carlyle Palmer, Lieut. Yates in the purchase of rice, which was shipped to Stirling. Rear-Admiral Stirling may stay in the suffering provinces and paid as wages for Hongkong a fortnight or so.
work on public roads and other improvements,'
The sugar-crop was very large, but the reduction in the market price has handicapped producers and subjected them to the danger of heavy losses. The same may be said of the tobacco-crop, and the action of Japan, China, and Java in i creasing the import duties has Congress gives aid by reducing the tariff to further hampered the industries. Unless twenty-five per cent, of the Dingley tariff, the
INSULAR REVENUES,
the statistics showing a falling off of $120,000, The income has been running a trifle low, probably due to the provincial poverty largely caused by locusts and rinderpest.
A tariff revision board, appointed from the merchants of Manila, has been in session for
listening to the opinions and complaints of some weeks, studying the subject carefully and
many business men who have appeared before it. The work of the board will be largely con- cerned in correcting the inconsistencies and discrepancies of the present tariff and in making recommendations for the guidance of the Commission,
If no further action is taken the American coastwise law will apply in the Philippines after next July. This would work great hard- ship and be a very serious matter for the islands, to say nothing of the many old firms doing business in the archipelago. The Com- mission is of the opinion that the present condition of affai:s should continue for some time louger uut I trade conditions have im- proved and water transportation is on a better basis. Anything which will tend to reducing trade and increasing rates would be as serious a menace to the progress of the Philippines as an in- terference with the arterial system of the human body.
There are many different points to be con- sidered in the matter of coastwise trade laws, and while the Governor conld not attempt a detailed expression of opinion in a brief in- terview, it is fair to assume that he favours the continuance of the present condition for at least five years longer.
FRIAR LANDS,
The purchase by the United States of the great agricultural holdings of the Friar orders and the introduction of American bishors to preside over the Church in all Christianised provinces has plice the whole religious situation on a vastly better basis. The Government will easily adjust the claims for rent and lease which have caused so much friction in the provinces. A new branch of the land law will bave t be devised to control and provide for the disposal of the vast Friar estat s.
The Aglipay schism is not a matter of much importance except in the provinces of Negras, Panay Ilocas Norte and the Tagalog districts. of Luzon.
THE ARMY.
The Governor believes that the present army of about 15,000 is a good minimum and may well be maintained in the Philippines, which while