Directory_and_Chronicle_1908 — Page 1485

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THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA

islands. Total imports reach a value of $28,785,855, and though this has been exceeded in earlier year, it is to be borne in mind that the larger figures were coincident with heavy imports of rice, which local production is now steadily displacing. Eliminating this abnormal element from consideration, the remaining general import trade for the year is exceeded only by that of 1902, and incidates a healthy recovery from the reduced purchase of 1906, with increases to be noted in a large number of commodities. Ex- ports reach a value of 833,713,357, or more than half a million dollars in excess of any previous fiscal period, while an increase of 81,796,223 is recorded over the export total of 1906. The figures for the foreign trade of the islands during the fiscal year, therefore, show from the standpoint alike of imports and exports, not only a recovery from the reduced totals of 1906 but also a favourable comparison with earlier years. The cotton trade is the most conspicuous feature in Philippine imports, and in it are found the largest increases for the year. Purchases of cotton manufactures reach the exceptionally large value of 88,320,079,—exceeded only in 1901,—and show an increase of $1,677,750, Substantial growth is to be found in yarn and thread as well as in knit goods, but the notable gain is in cotton cloths. More than half of this cotton cloth trade remains British, but the greater part of the year's increase is appropriated by the United States, whose trade grows from 222,951 to $1,016,036, and recovering from the heavy decline following the passage of the tariff of 195, considerably exceeds any previous record, This favourable development of American trade is to be largely credited to the operation of the tariff amendent of February 26, 1966, designed to correct the unfortunate effect of the new tariff on American prints." The removal of the American tariff in the Philippines on sugar and tobacco is being advocated, and the movement has the power- ful support of the Hon. W. H. Taft, formerly Governor-general of the Islands and now Secretary of State for War.

The policy of the United States towards the Philippines was defined by President Roosevelt in his message to Congress in December 1904. "At present,” he said, “the Philippine people are utterly incapable of existing in independence at all, or of building up a civilisation of their own. I firmly believe we can help them to rise higher and higher in the scale of civilisation and of capacity for self-government, and most earnestly hope that in the end they will be able to stand, if not entirly alone, yet in some such relation to the United States as Cuba now stands." Section 7 of the Act of Congress, approved July 1, 1902, provides:-"That two years after the completion and publication of the census, in case such condition of general and complete peace, with recognition of the authority of the United States, shall have continued in the terrritory of said islands not inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes-the President shall direct said Commission to call a general election for the choice of delegates to a popular Assembly of the people of the said territory in the Philippine Islands, which shall be known as the Philippine Assembly. After said Assembly shall have convened and organised, all the legislative power heretofore conferred on the Philippine Commission in all that part of said islands not inhabited by Moros or other non-Christian tribes shall be vested in a Legislature consisting of two Houses-the Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly.” President Roosevelt directed the Philippine Commission to hold a general election of delegates to the first Philippine Assembly on March 27th, 1907, and the Hon. W. H. Taft came out to Manila to preside at the first meeting. In a speech since delivered by Mr. Taft at Boston he expressed the opinion that the Philippines would not be fit for self-government for one or two generations.

The military force maintained in the island amounts to 13,030 white troops of all arms, 5,000 native scouts allied to the white garrision, and 3,000 constabulary, who act as a sort of semi-military police.

MANILA

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the river Pasig, which empties itself into the Bay of Manila, and the city is now held by the forces of the United States. War having been declared between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the former on the 1st May, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter the city was blockaded until the 13th August, when, a Military force having arrived, the Americans took possession after an almost unresisted assault.

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