The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-02

principle OF the open door" in the
Philippines, there has been considerable
discussion both al home and abroad as
10 just what the term implies. II has
been authoritativeIy explained that Il
means that a tariff system shall BE- PSI;
in force in the Philippines. which wil.
operate equally against the products q
all nations. not excepting the United
States. The products from this coun-
try are 20 pay the Same rates Of duty
as similar products from Spain. Eng
land. Germany. or any other country IL
tae world. Under this plan the expor;
trade Of any country to the Philippines
must be built UP on the merits Of the
goods offered for sale and not BY prefer
erstiai tariffs, such as Spain established
TO force her exports upon the people OF
the islands.
This IL good diplomatic move on the
part Of the administration, as it wA
put the United States In a strong posi-
fion in Oriental diplomacy. and Will
tend to insure the support of Great Brit
ain for any policy this country may
adopt in dealing with questions arising
In that part OF the world. The English
response TO the declaration Of the open
door, policy is extremely gratifying. nor
alone as a matter OF sentiment but also
r<
Britain Is the only country which has
made real and impressive success Of
the coionizing business. All others are
limitations. and, what is more TO the
point, are unsuccessful limitations. She
has been successful because OF her
open door" policy. Other nations have
shut up and sealed their colonial ports,
mainly against Great Britain. with the
result that they have an annua, deficit
when We go into the colonizng bust
ness their most dangerous rival will
have appeared. American commercial
enterprise will push the British very
hard. That England should applaud
our adoption Of the policy that made her
successful coloniZer and welcome us
as competitor in the Oriental field.
exhibits rough chivalry, and a con
viction that there is room enough in the
world for both Of us, that Americans
ought to recognize and In their turn
applaud.
Reports from Paris state that this
country pledges itself to maintain the
open door" policy for a period Of
twelve years. Many good constItu-
tionai lawyers contend that the open
door proposition OF the peace commits
sion is unconstitutional The constitu-
ton provides tl.at all import duties must
be the same In all ports in the country.
and also that no duties may be levied
between one state and another. AS the
Philippines VIII. as soon as the treaty is
adopted. become a part of the territory
of the United States. II il contended
that tariff against the products Of the
United states would be contrary 10 the
provisions Of the constitution. There Is
a historical precedent, however. which
sustains the action Of the commission.
When we annexed Louisiana we gave
Spain preferential duties at the Port of
New Orleans by treaty for twelve years.
The New England states objected to
this on the basis that giving such a
preference was forbidden by the con
stitution. but the treaty remained IN
force. The opinion OF the public men
of the time generally was that that pro-
vision Of the constitution did not Apply
10 annexed territory. As congress had
the right to acquire territory, Il also
had the right 10 make terms and 81 an
agreement OF the kind in question was
legitimate. This was the opinion az the
very men who had hand In making
the constitution.
There is no doubt President Mckinley
and his advisers have given due consil-
Grafton Ia this point. and the announce
nent that the open door" policy has
been agreed upon FOR period II twelve
years is an evidence that they believe
the constitutional objections are 10,
we'll taken
This policy Will bring prosperity 10
cur new possessions and with prosper
i'y they win soon become self-sustasa-
Ing That the administration has made
careful study q the existing eonii-
tons In the islands Is obvious. and The
conviction is gaining ground daily tina.
10 support the presidents plans Is the
wisest course that car - taken.
1T RESTS tpoN NM
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