48 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. mendations of the acting chief of the forestry bureau, reference is made to his report to the civil governor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901, which appears as Appendix H, and to his supplementary report to the Secretary of the Interior, which appears as Appendix I. . MINES. The limitations upon mining operations have been even more strict than those upon the work of the lumbermen. It has been considered by the commission that the Spanish mining laws ceased to be of effect with the downfall of the Spanish sovereignty. The direct necessity for the development of the mineral wealth of the archipelago has been less urgent than that for the exploitation of the forests, and no military order has ever been issued, nor has any act been passed by the commission, authorizing such development. As will be seen from the report of the chief of the bureau of mines (which is appended hereto as Appendix K), the operations of American prospectors have fully demonstrated the existence of valuable deposits of copper, gold, coal, and iron. Capital is only awaiting the opportunity to invest in these properties. Our prospectors have been an exceptionally good class of men. They have never caused any serious disturbance of public order, but on the other hand have often pushed into the mountains in advance of the Army, and have established friendly relations with ⚫ many of the wild tribes. Some of them, after locating properties which they believed to be valuable and staying by them until their last dollar was gone, have been forced to abandon the attempt to secure recognition of their claims. Others are still holding on. In the interest of these American citizens, who have shown qualities deserving of all respect, and in the interest of the commercial development of this archipelago, Congressional action which will render possible the development of the mineral resources of the Philippine Islands is most strongly urged. A mining code believed to be suited to the needs of these islands has been prepared by the chief of the mining bureau. Before making final recommendations in regard to this important matter, the commission desires to give miners and prospectors an opportunity to be heard. A public hearing has been set for October 19, and the final draft, embodying any amendments that may seem desirable, will be forwarded, as a supplementary exhibit, by the next transport. The work of the mining bureau during the past year has necessarily been limited to investigation and report upon mines and claims; to the translation of old laws, decrees, and documents; to the gathering of information as to the results of prospecting; to the preparation of maps showing the whereabouts of mines and mineral deposits; to the preparation of reports on the more important minerals found in the |