The chief products are hemp, sugar, coffee, copra, tobacco-leaf, cigars, indigo. Agriculture, however, is still in a primitive condition, implements and methods being antiquated, farm animals scarce, labour and means of transport insufficient, and capital wanting for the proper development of the soil. Towards the amelioration of agricultural conditions, the Bureau of Agriculture carries on investigations respecting the cultivation and improvement of the Island products. It has experimental farms, where improved varieties of tobacco, hemp, sugar, &c., are selected and grown, seeds, roots, and plants being distributed for general cultivation. Within the range of the Bureau are also the combating of destructive insects, the methods of curing tobacco, and the improvement of live-stock within the Islands. The wide forests of valuable timber, gum, and dye woods are under the supervision of the Forestry Bureau, which frames plans and rules for their protection and working. The Islands are divided into 14 forest districts, each containing a number of forest stations (55 in all), in charge of foresters, rangers, or inspectors. Each forest contains native trees of many species, which are officially classified in four groups according to their commercial value. The first group contains 12 species, among which are ebony (Maba buxifolia), ipil and tindalo (Afzelia), camagon (Diospyros discolor), acle, and baticulin. The second comprises 18 species, including teak (Tectona grandis), supa (Sindora wallichiana), and guijo (Shorea guiso). The third contains 23 species and the fourth 18. The trees most in demand are those whose common names are lauan, apitong, guijo, molave, and yacal, over 3,898,000 cubic feet of timber of these five species having been cut in the three fiscal years 1901-03. For the cutting of timber licences are required, and payments are made according to the quantity and value of the timber taken. For exploitation purposes, the provinces are divided into 2 classes, in the first of which the charges are in general double those in the second. In the year 1902-03 there were granted 938 licences for timber, 98 for gums and resins, 53 for dyewoods, and 43 for charcoal. Among the licences, there were 13 company licences, under which the timber cut was 186,352 cubic feet. In the Philippine Islands there are difficulties in the way of mining operations owing to the tropical conditions, the great depth of soil, deficiency of means of transport, and scarcity of capital. Little has, as yet, been done towards the development of the mineral resources, but prospecting is now proceeding vigorously. The most important of the mineral deposits seems to be lignite coal of the best grade, which is found in many of the islands, in some places of a quality sufficient for use on steamers or for stationary engines. Iron (magnetite and hematite) is found in several provinces. In St. Miguel and Angat the ores are worked by natives. The ores of Bulacan are suitable for the manufacture of charcoal pig-iron, and in their neighbourhood are abundant supplies of limestone for flux. Gold is found in almost all the important islands, and in some of them has been long worked by natives. In the north of Masbate three American companies are at work on placer and lode claims. There are placer claims in Rizal (Luzon); welldefined veins of sufficient value (so far as sampled), to justify extensive placer, and free-milling operations are found also in Lepanto, Benguet, and the Camarines. In these islands and in Mindañao there appears to be scope for profitable hydraulic and dredging work, as well as for vein mining. Some gold ores in the Camarines are associated with iron and copper sulphides, with zinc (sphalerite), and with chromate of lead; those in the Lepanto district, with sulphides, arsenides, and antimonides of copper. Silver has been found only in argentiferous galena, or alloyed with gold. Platinum has been detected in small quantity in the gold gravel deposits of Rizal (Luzon). Copper is reported from several regions, and important deposits, long worked by natives, occur in Mancayan (South Luzon). Lead is found in Bontoc, the Camarines, Maranduque, and Cebu. Galenas occur in Acsubing and Panopoy. Manganese has been discovered in Masbate Island. Cinnabar and native mercury are reported from Mount Isarog in the Camarines, and antimony (stibnite) seems to exist in Batangas. Sulphur, petroleum, rock salt, kaolin, and gypsum are also found in the Archipelago. The values of imports and exports for 5 years are stated as follows in U.S. dollars: 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 Imports. 24,864,000 30,162,000 33,342,166 35,099,835 34,327,481 Exports. 22,990,000 24,503,000 28,671,904 39,674,328 37,033,185 The chief imports are rice, flour, wines, dress, petroleum, coal. The chief exports are hemp, 21,701,575 dollars in 1903, 21,794,960 in 1904; tobacco, 1,870,453 dollars in 1903, 2,003,622 in 1904; sugar, 3,955,828 dollars in 1903, 2,668,507 in 1904; copra, 4,472,679 dollars in 1903, 2,527,019 in 1904. Of the imports, the value of 5,171,733 dollars was from Great Britain; 3,944,098 from the United States; 5,632,817 from China; 5,955,753 from Indo-China. Of the exports, the value of 8,802,016 dollars went to Great Britain; 13,863,059 to the United States; 2,122,304 to Hong Kong; 3,678,805 to France. The exports of hemp to the United States in 1902 amounted to the value of 7,261,459 dollars; in 1903 to 12,314,312, the increase being attributed to the abolition, in 1902, of the duty on exports direct to the United States. The exports to France are chiefly copra. The value of imports into and exports of British produce from the United Kingdom from and to the Philippine and Ladrone Islands, according to the Board of Trade Returns, in five years, was as follows:— In 1903 the chief imports into the United Kingdom were hemp, 1,773,3747.; tobacco, 46,641l.; oil nuts, 113, 2227.; the chief exports from the United Kingdom were cotton goods, 336,4721.; ironwork, 115,755l. ; machinery, 30, 6967. The value of the imports from the Philippine Islands into the United States, and of the domestic exports from the United States to the Philippine Islands, according to United States returns, was as follows in five years ending June 30 : 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 Dollars Dollars Imports Dollars Dollars 5,971,208 4,420,912 6,612,700 11,372,584 12,066,934 2,635,624 4,014,180 5,251,867 4,028,677 4,832,900 Dollars In 1904 the imports into the United States comprised hemp, 11,044,789 dollars; and the exports, iron work, 778,767 dollars. Hemp and some other articles exported from the Philippine Islands are subject to export duty, but in the case of such articles as are admitted duty-free into the United States, the export duty paid in the Philippine Islands is refunded on proof of direct shipment to and consumption in the United States. In 1903, at the ports of Manila, Iloilo and Cebu, vessels of 1,524,160 tons, in 1904, 1,574,986 tons net entered. There are 720 miles of telegraph in the islands, and 120 miles of railway. There are six banks doing business in the Islands: the Chinese Bank, the American Bank. the International Banking Corporation, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, and the Banco Español Filipino. When the United States took possession of the Islands the Mexican dollar was the chief current coin, and fluctuations in its value caused trouble. In 1900 an order was issued making one U.S. dollar equivalent to two Mexican dollars, but before long other measures were required and Congress passed an Act making a Filipino dollar of the value of 50 U S. cents., to be guaranteed by gold. This law came into force in June, 1904, and is expected to work satisfactorily. British Consul-General.-W. J. Kenny. GUAM (LADRONES). The Island of Guam or Guahan, the largest in the Marianne or Ladrone Archipelago, was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898, and will probably be used as a coaling station for the United States navy. The island is about 32 miles long and 100 miles in circumference, with an area of about 200 square miles, and has a population of about 9,000, of whom about 6,000 are in Agaña, the capital. The inhabitants are mostly immigrants or the descendants of immigrants from the Philippines, the original race of the Marianne Islands having become extinct. The recognised language is Spanish, but English is also spoken. On the island there are 18 schools and nine-tenths of the islanders can read and write. The island is thickly wooded, well watered, and fertile, and possesses a roadstead. In the year 1902-03 the imports of merchandise from the United States amounted to the value of about 45,500 dollars; in 1903-04, about 101,200 dollars. SAMOAN ISLANDS. The island of Tutuila and other small Samoan islands came into the possession of the United States in January, 1900. For many years American influence had been strong in Samoa. In 1872 the harbour of Pago Pago, in Tutuila, had been ceded to the United States for a naval and coaling station. In 1878 this cession was confirmed, and rights of freedom of trade and extra-territorial jurisdiction in Samoa were granted. In 1889 was held at Berlin the conference between the representatives of the United States, Germany, and Great Britain, resulting in the treaty recognising the Samoan Islands as neutral territory with an independent government, the natives being allowed to follow their own laws and customs, while for civil and criminal causes in which foreigners were concerned, there was established a Supreme Court of Justice, in which an American citizen was the presiding judge. This arrangement continued till 1898, when disturbances regarding the right of succession to the office of king arose. In 1899 the kingship was abolished, and by the Anglo-German Agreement of November 14 of that year, accepted in January, 1900, by the United States, Great Britain and Germany renounced in favour of the United States all rights over the Island of Tutuila and the other islands of the Samoan group east of 171 degrees longitude east of Greenwich, the islands to the west of that meridian being assigned to Germany. The harbour of Pago Pago had, in fact, been occupied by the United States, under already existing treaty rights, in 1898. In February, 1900, a naval governor was appointed for Tutuila. The Island of Tutuila, 70 miles from Apia, has an area of about 54 square miles, with a population of 3,800. Manua and the other islets have a united area of about 25 square miles, with about 2,000 inhabitants. Tutuila is mountainous, luxuriantly wooded and fertile. It is described as the most pleasing of the Samoan islands. The harbour at Pago Pago, which penetrates the south coast like a fiord, is the only good harbour in Samoa. The imports into Tutuila in 1902-03 amounted to the value of 162,131 dollars, and the exports from the islands to 44,097 dollars. The exports were copra and curios. During the year 1902-03 vessels of altogether 217,877 tons (208,200 tons American) entered at Pago Pago. Statistical and other Books of Reference concerning the United States. 1. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. Agriculture, Reports of the Department of. Washington. Washington, 1900. Appropriation, Letter from Secretary of Treasury with estimate of Annual. Washington. Army Register of the United States. Washington. Census, Tenth. Vols. I.-XXI. 4. Washington, 1883-89.-Eleventh, 26 vols. Washington, 1890-97.-Twelfth, Bulletins in course of publication. Washington. Commerce of the United States, Reports on the Foreign. Annual. Washington. Constitutions, Federal and State, compiled by B. P. Poore. 2 pts. 8. Washington, 1877 Education, Annual Reports of Commissioner of. Washington. Education Bureau, Circulars of. Washington. Engineers, Reports of the Chief of U.S. Army. [Describes public works on navigable rivers, &c.] Annual. Washington. Ethnology Bureau, Reports of. Washington. Foreign Office List. By Sir E. Herstlet. Annual. London. Foreign Relations of the United States, Papers relating to, transmitted to Congress. Annual. Washington. Foreign Office Reports (British). Annual Series and Miscellaneous Series. London. Interior, Report of Secretary on Operations of Department of the. Annual. Washington. International Law of the United States, Digest of 3 vols. Washington, 1886. Land Office, Report of Commissioner. Annual. Washington. Loans and Currency, Acts of Congress Relating to, 1846-85. S. New York, 1888. Navy, Report of the Secretary of. Annual. Washington. Railways, Report on Statistics of, to Interstate Commerce Commission. Annual. Washington. Revenue. Report of Commissioner of Internal. Annual. Washington. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Annual. Washington. Statistics Bureau, monthly Reports of, on Imports, Exports, Immigration, and Navigation of the United States. Washington. Statutes at large, and Treaties of the United States. Published annually. Washington. Revised Statutes of the United States. Washington, 1878. Supplements were published in 1891 and 1895, and will be continued annually under the direction of W. A. Richardson, Chief Justice of the Court of Claims. Treasury, Report of the Secretary of, on Finances. Annual. Washington.-Circulars of the Treasury Department. Washington. War, Report of Secretary on Operations of Department of. Annual. Washington. 2. NON-OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. Abbott (W. J.), Naval History of the United States. New York, 1897. Adams (Henry), History of the United States of America. 9 vols. New York and London, 1891. Appleton. General Guide to the United States and Canada. 8. New York, 1892. -Appleton's Annual Cyclopædia. New York. Annual. Baedeker's Handbook for the United States. By J. F. Muirhead. 3rd ed. London, 1904. Bancroft (George), History of the Formation of the Constitution of the United States of America. 2 vols. London, 1882. Bancroft (George), History of the United States. New ed. 6 vols. 8. London, 1882. Blue Book of American Shipping. Annual. Cleveland. Bruncken (E.), North American Forests and Forestry. New York, 1900. Bryce (James), The American Commonwealth. 2 vols. 3rd ed. London, 1893-95. Carson (II. L.), History of the Supreme Court of the United States. 8. Philadelphia, 1891. Chapman (S. J.), History of Trade between the United Kingdom and the United States. London, 1899. Channing (E.), The United States of America, 1765-1865. London, 1896. Guide to the Study of American History. Boston, 1897. Church (W. C.), Ulysses S. Grant and the Maintenance of American Nationality. London, 1897. Cleveland (Grover), Presidential Problems. New York and London, 1904. Colange (E.), The National Gazetteer: a Geographical Dictionary of the United States. 8. New York. Coleman (L.), America. [In "International Churches," series.] London, 1891. Cooley (T. M.), Constitutional Law in the United States. Boston, 1880. The Constitutional Limitations on the Legislative Power of the States of the American Union. 5th ed. 8. Boston, 1883. Curtis (G. T.), History of the Constitution of the United States. New York, 1854-58 2 vols. London, 1902, Britain: a Record of Travel in Dewey (D. R.), Financial History of the United States. Dilke (Sir Charles Wentworth, Bart., M.P.), Greater English-speaking Countries in 1866 and 1867. 4th ed. 8. Donaldson (T.), The Public Domain: its History, with Statistics, &c. S. Washington. Fiske (John), American Political Ideas. 8. New York, 1885.-The Critical Period in American History, 1783-1789. 8. London, 1888.-Civil Government in the United States. 8. Boston, 1890.-The American Revolution. 2 vols. London, 1897.-Old Virginia and her Neighbours. 2 vols. London, 1897.-The Dutch and Quaker Colonies in America, London, 1899.-New France and New England 2 vols. 1903. Ford (H. J.), The Rise and Growth of American Politics. London, 1898. Foreign Policy of the United States: Report of Addresses and Discussions; American Academy of Political and Social Science. Philadelphia, 1899. Foster (R.), Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, Historical and Juridical. London, 1896. (In progress.) Gannett (H.), North America. Vol. II. The United States. [Compendium of Geography and Travel]. London, 1898. Giddings (F. H.), Democracy and Empire. New York, 1900. Grinnel (G. B.), The North American Indians of To-day. London, 1900. Harrison (B.), The Constitution and Administration of the United States of America. London, 1897. Hart (A. B.), American History told by Contemporaries. 4 vols. New York, 1897–91. -Actual Government as Applied under American Conditions. [In American Citizen' Series]. London, 1903. Henderson (G. F. R.), Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War. 2 vols. London, |