Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-12-30
THE OPEN DOOR.
Senator Chandler Explains the True Mcanin 6
as Applied to the Philippines


New Hampshire, in an interview with
Washington correspondent OF the
Tribune, had this to say about the
scope and meaning OF the "open door
tariff policy, which may be put in
operation temporarily in the Philip
pines:
There seems to be Il general mis-
understanding Of the proposed "open
door" policy OF the administration.
The phrase III its present application is
somewhat misleading. have heard
it contended that ii we inauguratc this
policy foreign nations, who are in
closer proximity to the Philippines
than the United States, will have
great advantage over lis in the matter
of trade.
Now, as L matter OF fact, this pol
icy will not continue for any great
length of time. The President has no
authority to prescribe permanent tariff
laws for the Philippines; that is a
congressional function and must be
exercised exclusively by Congress
when the islands have reached their
normal peace conditions. The Presi
dent, i'll the execution of his duties,
has only the right TO demand that
Spain evacuate the islands and turn
them over to the United States. Then
he sets up a military government until
such time rs Congress may act. 1t
rests with Congress to establish n per-
manent scheme of commercial rcla-
tlons and tariff administration.
"After Spain has left the islands the
military branch of the government
takes charge. Then comes the "open
door policy. The tariff rates are
prescribed by the military government
which shall apply not only to the
European nations, but to the United
States as well. No nation Oh earth is
given an advantage. The object is
solely to raise enough revenue to pay
off the $2O,OO0,0OO to Spain. That
money will come from revenue derived
from Germany, England, France
America and, in fact, from every ma.
ton.
1t can be seen therefore that for.
elgn nations, on account OF their con-
venient situation to the Philippines,
will have no material advantage over
the United States. We want to raise
the $2O, 100000 to pay to Spain and in
stead of being to our disadvantage il
will be to our benefit if these nations
can increase their trade to the Philip
pines for the time being, thus increas.
ing the customs receipts.
1.-The open door policy will prevail
only so long as it is necessary to raise
the $50, 100000 which it is agreed to
pay Spain. After this money is raised
then it will be time for Congress to
act. Ii will enact such tariff legisla-
tion as it deems proper. If it is de-
cided to annex the islands, then Gus.
toms duties will be prescribed which
will not give any foreign nation an adj
vantage over us in the matter OF trade
We will have free and unrestricted in.
tercourse with the islands, while
foreign nations will be obliged to pay
duties on the products that they inn
port. Hence it can be seen that the
open door policy is only temporary
measure and, instead of being to our
advantage, will rebound to our benefit
"If Congress decides to grant the
Filipinos their independence then they
will probably be obliged to pay us the
$50, ,OO0,0 900, which we are to give to
Spain. l find the main opposition to
the annexation OF the Philippine:
comes from people who have all along
been opposed to the independence ol
Cuba. They are disappointed in the
fact that Cuba has been freed and on 9
line with their view on this subject are
opposed to the annexation of the Phil.
ippines by the United States. The cry
of imperialism is a misplaced one
and is not only misunderstood but en-
tirely unwarranted."