The record-union., 1898-12-04
OPEN DOOR POLICY IN PHILIPPINES
A MISUNDERSTAND AS TO
ITS EFFECT.
It is Only a Temporary Measure
and Will Rebound to Our
Benefit.

NEW YORK, Dec. 3.-Senator Will
lam z. Chandler of New Hampshire,
in an interview with a Washington cor
respondent 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 Philippines:
"There seems to be general misun-
derstanding of the proposed open door
policy of the Administration. The
phrase in it's application is somewhat
misleading. I have heard it contended
that if we inaugurate this policy for
eign nations who are in closer proX-
unity to the Philippines than the Unit
ed States will have a great advantage
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 pre-
scribe permanent tariff laws for the
Philippines. That is Congressional
function and must be exercised exclu-
sively by Congress when the islands
have reached their normal peace con-
ditions. The President in the execu-
ton of his duties has only the right to
demand that Spain evacuate the ISL
ands and turn them over to the United
States. Then he sets UP a military gov
ernment until such time as Congress
may act. 1t rests with Congress to es-
tablish a permanent scheme of COM
mercial relations and tariff admins
tration.
after Spain has left the islands the
military branch of the government
takes charge. Then comes the open
door policy. The tariff rates are pre-
scribed by the military government,
which shall apply not only to Euro
pean 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
$20, 100000 to Spain. That money will
come from revenue derived from Eng
land, France, Germany, America-in
fact, every nation. It 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 to
Spain, and instead of being to our dis
advantage, it will be to our benefit if
these nations can increase their trade
TO the Philippines for the time being,
thus increasing the customs receipts.
"The open door policy will prevail
only so long as it is necessary to raise
the $2O,OO0,000 which it is agreed to
pay Spain. After this money is raised.
then 1t will be time for Congress to
act. 1t will enact such tariff legisla-
tion as it deems proper. If it is decided
to annex the islands, then customs du-
ties 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 obliged to pay duties on the
products that they import Hence, it
can be seen that the open door policy
is only a temporary measure, and, in
stead 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, 100000 which we are to give Spain.
I find that the main opposition to the
annexation of the Philippines comes
| from people who have all along been
opposed to the independence of Cuba.
They are disappointed in the fact that
| Cuba has been freed, and in line with
| their views on this subject, are opposed
| to the acquisition of the Philippines by
| the United States. The cry of 'imper~
| ialism' is a misplaced one, and is not
only misunderstood, but entirely un-
warranted"
s