The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-01
QUESTION OF A TARIFF.
1t Has Already Been Discussed by the
AuthOritfes

NEW YORK, May ga special to the
Times from Washington says:
AS result of the investigation the treas
ury department has been making into the
question Of tariff for the Philippines to
be levied a military contribution during
the occupation Of the islands by the United
States forces. the administration has prac-
tically decided to enforce the existing
Spanish schedules. with only such changes
as the circumstances may make necessary.
The officers of the customs system have
made an exhaustive study of Spanish sched-
ules with respect to the course to be pur-
sued In the Philippines, and the results of
these labors have been laid before the
president by Secretary Gage. The first
proposition was to adopt a new tariff drawn
on the American model. as was done when
this country occupied Tampico during the
Mexican war.
In that case, which has furnished the
most useful precedents for the present
emergency. a special tariff was prepared
and enforced during the brief occupation
OF the port by the military forces of the
United States. In the case OF the Phil
ippnes. however, in view of the difference
Of language and standards of measures
the remoteness Of the territory and of the
conditions entire dissimilar to those ex-
listing here. 1t has been deemed wiser sim
ply to take up the tariff lists as the Span
iards will leave them and continue the
same duties now This, it is believed
will cause less interruption to commerce,
be more satisfactory to the foreign mer-
chants who do business with the islands,
and prove more acceptable to the natives
whose good will is recognized as worth
cultivating if the territory is to be re-
tained.
The Spanish tariff in the Philippines is
different from our own in that it is reve-
! nue. tariff. Pursuant to the Spanish policy
OF squeezing the colonies just much as
they will stand, the rates have been made
just as high as possible, They are specific
entirely. nc ad valorem duty being laid All
goods imported from the mother country
are exempted from taxation, so as to make
1t to the interest of the people to trade with
the mother country. The free list is large,
special privileges being given to priests and
to the church. One of the particulars in
which the tariff will be changed with the
American administration will be the abridg-
ing OF the free list, to take away the
determinations in favor Of the church and
the numerous holy orders
The enforcement Of the tariff will be left
to the military authorities under Gen. Mer-
rift. The treasury department. will have
no official connection with it., although 1t
will send out a number of expert assistants
to assist the army officials in the technical
execution Of the task. The tariff being i'm
posed strictly military contribution,
the proceeds will be turned into the army 8
strong box without the formally of for
warding them to the treasury. :
In view of international law, the Philip
pines. even after they have been occupied
by the military forces of the United States.
will remain extraneOus territory. They
will not be a part of this country until the
&C Inclusion of a treaty of peace has settled
the title upon us. In consequence, Amerf-
can goods sent to the island will be made
to pay duty just as goods from other ccun-
tries. This will be in direct contrast with
the Spanish policy, and is expected to have
a good effect in making the American &C.
cupation popular. AS the import taxes will
not be increased, as American merchants
will have no advantage over those Of other
countries. and as there will undoubtedly be
an improvement in the administration with
regard to honesty and progress. the COM
mercial world in the far east. it is pointed
| out has nothing to complain. Of as result
of the change Of masters in the PHILIPPINES.