The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-29
TWELVE PAGES.
Aner the Treaty Is Signed.

~ PAINS acceptance Of the terms
~ OF peace offered by the American
- peace commissioners nad been for
several days so confidently anticipated
that her final submission. evoked no
surprise and. on this side OF the water.
few congratulations. The ratification
of the peace treaty by the Spanish gov
eminent IL a foregone conclusion. Its
ratification by the American congress
IL q very different matter. The consti-
sutton provides that the president may
make treaties with foreign powers. but
no treaty Is valid unless confirmed by
IA two-thirds vote OF the senate. Not
only may the administration find II
dinicult TO commit two-thirds of the
senators to the support OF any scheme
Involving the annexation of the Phil
1ppines. but the house will have IL in
1'1ts power TO block the whole under
taking by refusing to vote the $40. ooo.-
900 appropriation. Speaker Reed. like
Senator Hoar. is vigorously and. un-
aess he does violence to his reputation
for backbone, uncompromisingly OPP
posed to Philippine annexation; and II
remains TO be seen whether the admin
istration can dominate the house in
spite OF Reed. Stormy times are GER
fainiy ahead in both branches OF con-
sress-
Aside from the merits or dement's of
Philippine annexation. President Nc
Kinley's ''open-door'' policy raises a, Sc
rious constitutional q~uestion-so seri-
Gus. indeed. that a constitutional
amendment IL believed to be absolutely
necessary before such a policy can be
made operative. And the adoption of
an amendment to the constitution of
the United States 10 a gigantic under
taking. The president IL opposed to
is free trade between the United States
and the Philippines because It would
operate 10 the disadvantage Of the
s~ugar-cane growers. the sugar-beet
growers and the tobacco manufactur-
ers. II the Washington correspondents
have been correctly informed as to
what it means, the open-door policy
contemplates a Philippine tariff which
shall operate against the United States
az Il operates against all other nations.
The tarif laws of the United States
are to apply to imp~ortations from the
Philippines, while on the other hand
American manufacturers seeking TO ex-
- tend their trade In the Philippines will
10 be obliged to compete with England.
Germany and other countries. Such
an "open-door" policy Is an absurdity.
How this fanciful scheme would
operate Is thus explained by the De-
troit Tribune: The chief argument In
favor OF the acquisition OF the Philip
pines In the extension -of-trade plea.
How this will follow only God and the
imperialiets know: but Mr.. Mckinley
proposes to extend this trade by re-
stricting Il. Instead OF building up the
Philippine trade by giving the people
of the Philippines the benefits of the
American market, as one might expect
he would do IL he desired to encourage
American capital TO the islands. he in.
tends to operate the Dingiey tariff e
exclude the products OF those islands
The products Of the annexed Philip
pines in which American trade is q
be encouraged must pay the Dingley
duties II admitted to his country
~ whereas Great Britain will admit then
free. This will destroy any inducemenr
for the Philippine trade to seek ar
American market. IL viii natural,
prefer the English market. and Will,
trade will be stimulated in the Philip,
= pines England will reap the real bene'
nts. The trade that will follow th'
IA will be English trade"
Before congress disposes OF the Paris
treaty, sentiment will be flung to th'
winds. and the Philippine question vii
be discussed from a strictly business
point OF view. Sentiment is a GOOD
thing in love and war; but there are
times when II is entirely out Of place
and the present time Is one of them.