The herald., 1898-12-04
The OPEN DOOR POLICY
IS UNDERSTOOD BY SENATOR
CHANDLER
SIMPLY A REVENUE MEASURE
And Will Obtain Only During the
Continuance Of the Military
Government
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, Dec. 3.-Senator VIM. L.
Chandler of New Hampshire in an inter
view with Washington correspondent OF
the Tribune had this to say about the scope
and meaning of the "open-door' tariff pol
icy which may be put in operation tempo
rarily in the Philippines
''There seems to be a general misunder-
standing OF the proposed 'opendoor' policy
of the administration. The phrase in its
present application is somewhat misleading
| have heard it contended that II we IN
augurate this policy, foreign nations who
are in closer proximity to the Philippines
than the United States will have great ad-
vantage over us in the matter OF trade
Now, as a matter of fact, this policy 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 President, in 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 military government until such
time as Congress may act 1t rests with
Congress to establish permanent scheme
of commercial relations and tariff admins
tration.
After Spain has left the islands, the
military branch of the government takes
charge. Then comes the 'open.door' pol
icy. The tariff rates are prescribed by the
military government, which shall apply not
only to European nations, but to the United
States as well. No nation on earth is given
an advantage. The object is solely to raise
enough revenue to pay off the S2O,OO0,OOO to
Spain. That money will come from revenue
derived from England, France, Germany,
America; in fact, every nation. 1t can be
seen, therefore, that foreign nations, on ac-
count of their convenient situation to the
Philippines, will have no material advantage
over the United States. We want to raise
the S20,000,000 to pay Spain and instead of
being to our disadvantage, it will be to our
benefit II there nations can increase their
trade to the Philippines for the time being,
thus increasing the customs receipts.
'.The 'opendoor' policy will prevail only
so long as it is necessary to raise the $780,
0OO,0 900 which it is agreed to pay Spain.
After this money is raised, then it will be
time for Congress to act. 1t will enact such
tariff legislation as it deems proper. If it
is decided to annex the islands, then Gus.
toms duties will be prescribed which will
not give any foreign nation an advantage
over US in the matter of trade, We, will have
free and unrestricted intercourse with the
islands, while foreign nations will be OBJ
liged to pay duties on the products they
import Hence it can be seen that the
open-door' policy is only temporary meas
ure and instead of being to our disadvantage
will rebound to our benefit.
"If Congress decides to grant the Filipinos
their independence then they will probably
be obliged to pay us the $40, 900, 900. which
we are to give Spain. find the main op-
position to the annexation OF the Philip
pines comes from people who have all along
been opposed to the independence Of Cuba.
Thev are disappointed in the fact that Cuba
has been freed and in line with their views
on this subject, are opposed to the acquisi-
ton of the Philippines by the United States.
The cry Of imperialism is a misplaced one.
and is not only misunderstood but entirely
unwarranted"