New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-17
DINGLEY ON NEW PROBLEMS
He EXPECTS ULTIMATELY THE ANNEX.
ALTON OF CUBA.

ALTON OF CUBA
STRONG INFLUENCES FOR TIE RETENTION on
THE PHILTPPINEs-A WORD ABOUT
WAR TAXES
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrSE.]
Rockland Me-. Aug. 16.-Representativo Ding.
ley in interview to-day said
II find politics quiet throughout the State. al.
though Republicans are earnestly following the
course Of events and eager to support Presl.
dent Mckinley in what he has done and has he.
fore him to do in shaping our National destiny.
THE question OF the Philippines is most din.
cult 20 llrp0ce OF. and cannot yet DO rpok0ned
with II Is interesting to note the growth o,
public opinion all over'the country for the CON-
plete annexation Of the group. From all parts
of the country this is heard most important
point in this connection Is the attitude OF the
religious press and the Christian Church. which
is practically unit for annexation. This great
element Of population we would naturally
expect to find arrayed against proposition Of
this character, inasmuch as II comprehends
departure from.our established National policy
| In this instance however the reason Is obvious
They feel that It would be a crime to turn the
| philipnInes back to the incompetent rule OF
Spain The alternative must be government by
this country The influence Of this great con.
servatve element Of our population must exer.
else weight in determining this question OF the
| Philippines.
II look to see n large and prosperous business
growing out Of the relations between this coun.
try and Cuba and Porto Rico. Ultimately the
islands will become Americanized by the infu-
ence of our people going there to develop their
! nexed. While our disclaimer of territorial az.
! crandizement made In declaring war. was hon.
estly meant and doubt not is understood by
| the world events occurring appear to indicate
that the island is not capable OF self-govern-
mcnt. IL this shall prove to be true there can
be no other course than for the United States TO
remain in power there. In time these islands
can be so brought under American influence as
| 70 render them possible OF government under the
state system that prevails with the whole coun-
try.
TT is still possible that war may be renewed.
for until treaty Is signed II Is not to be pre-
dictcd what Spain will do. and until that time
our Army and Navy must he maintained upon
| a footing.
THE war taxes some OF them. will probably
no retained permanently. The stamp tax will
| he the first to be done away with. should
say it viii have to be retained not longer than
a wear and a half The other features Of the
war taxes will probably remain, for they are
not annoyingiy felt"
RESTORATION OF MERCHANT MARINE.
1T IS NECESSARY TO THE FULL DEVELOPMENT
OF AMERICAN COMMERCE
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir. The annexation OF Hawaii TO the United
States. the acquisition Of Porto Rico and the
Philippines. our control OF Cuba, the early con-
struction Of the Nicaragua Canal the opening OF
tho ports OF China to the commerce Of the world
aud our enormous surplus OF agricultural prod
ms and domestic manufactures for the supply
Of the needs Of other nations present TO US
magnificent opportunity for the extension OF our
commerce and the long -hoped-for restoration OF
our merchant marine We have Thoroughly
demonstrated to the world that We are a ns'
class naval and military power and have I'M
pressed them with our purpose henceforsn !"
have n voice in the settlement OF all Important
international questions. especially those having
! % do with the commerce OF China and the Far
Fast.
To gain access TO these desirable markets we
must compete with all the powerful and wealthy
nations Of Europe. who will make the most
strenuous efforts keep us out OF our falr sha'e
M the large and ever-increasing commerce At
the outset we are handicapped by not having
n merchant marine of our own or any cohsio-
cradle tonnage.
For over thirty years we have been almost
wholly dependent upon Great Britain Tor tho
transportation Of our exports and imports. sn'
has built thousands Of vessels TO do this DUST
ness for us and now controls over % per cen.
Of the entire merchant tonnage or the world anu
,s our most formidable rival In manufactures.
Senator Elkins's bill now before the senate.
which provides for a discriminating duty OF III
per cent on imports by other than American
vessels IS now being discussed with great AMI
nation and an ever-increasng interest douo'
whether this measure would be effective in tho
attainment 81 the object sought; It affords only
a partial relief being confined wholly to vessels
carving our imported goods leaving our ex-
Tor. trade open to the competition OF all nations.
When a single discriminating duty was imposed
I'm 1883 II was effective for that emergency. as
we were at that time an importing and not an
eyrorting country. The conditions arc now to
versed
am inclined 10 the opinion that the enact
rent OF the Bounty bill OF 1890 would be th'
more effective measure. In any event. am per-
fectly sure that in the near future we sha" 10
able to do own ocean transportation anu
that before the close OF the first decade OF thS
twentieth century we shall be able to coinpe'o
successfully with Britannia for the supreme!
OF the seas. Notwithstanding her vast merchan'
tonnage and the ability OF her shipyards 20 'u'n
out 1000 tons Of shipping annually.
The construction of our present magnince"'
warshirs has already enabled our shipou'uei'
to equip plants equal to any in the world. Inc
completion Of the warships now under contrac"
and the money to be expended for the largo
number TO be built very soon Will enable US "
still further perfect shipbuilding facih''e'