The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-26
OPEN DOOR DEFINED
DingIey Says it Does Not
Mean Free Trade, at All.
BUT ONLY EQUAL FOOTING.
How the Constitution CompIi-
Gates the Problem.

Washington, Nov 25.-Chairman Ding
ley of the ways and means committee in
an interview with Star reporter today,
explained the "open door, policy as appli-
ed to the future commerce of the Philip
pines, in case they should be acquired by
the United States.
THE phrase open door policy which is
now being talked about so much in the
newspapers" said Mr.. Dingley, means
simply equality of treatment, and not Tree
trade. AS applied TO the dependency OF
a country it simply means that imports
from all countries are to be admitted on
the same terms as imports from the moth
er country AS applied TO the Philippines
II would mean that imports from Great
Britain and all other foreign countries are
admitted at the same rates of duty as
imports from the United States.
''Of course, this policy could not be ap-
piled to the Philippines if they should be
admitted into the union, with a territorial
form of government, because the constl-
tuition provides that duties shall be uni
form with in the United States. unless
there should be an amendment TO the
constitution permitting this
whether il would be possible to apply
this policy 10 the Philippines after they
should become a part of the territory of
the United States. under that provision
of the constitution which authorizes to
make needful rules and regulations re-
speeding the territory or other property
OF the United States, 1 am not prepared
tosay. It is noticeable. however. that in
the resolution providing for the annsxa-
ton of Hawaii passed at the last session
of congress, it was provided that the Ha-
waiian islands tariff should continue in
force until congress should otherwise de-
termine.
1T is 10 borne in mind. however, that
the present talk about an open door policy
for the Philippines is intended to apply
entirely to those islands while under a
military administration, which would be
permissible. and not to apply to those
islands after they shall have been form
ally recognized as a part Of the United
States.
'Of course ii would be competent for the
Paris commission to incorporate in the
treaty with Spain a provision granting
to Spanish imports into the Philippines
equality OF treatment WIFI imports
the United States for term Of years,
and that provision in the treaty. when
ratified by the senate and projected into
law by congress, would be the law of the
land
I'm the discussion of the open door
policy 1 notice that many papers assume
that It is the uniform policy OF Great
Britain in her relations with her colon
les. 1t should be borne in mind, how
ever, that there is a conspicuous excep-
ton to this in the case of Canada, her
most important colony, which admits i'm
ports from Great Britain at % per cent
less duty than they are admitted from
the United States and other countries. Il
is understood that this policy was adopt
ed by Canada, If not on the suggestion,
at least with the approval. OF Mr.. Cham
berlain, British secretary for the colonies.
and that he is urging other colonies of
Great Britain to give d similar prefer
ence to that country"