The herald., 1898-11-18

average politician, as well as representatives
OF syndicates and trusts, think they see
great profits in this annexation" policy set
in motion by the war, with Hawaii as a
precendent, and they are attempting to con-
soidate public sentiment and mass it be-
hind the breastworks of patriotism" but
there Is likely to be a rude awakening for
some of the men engaged in this business.
| will not deal with the probable effect
of the introduction of an alien Asiatic ele-
ment, which may not readily assimilate, but
will make my argument solely upon the eff
feet the acquisition of the Philippine islands
would have upon our agricultural and Incl
dent industries. The immense area of the
islands is strikingly expressed in the figures
themselves, ll4,326 square miles; the popula-
tion from 100000 to 100000; the soil is
adapted to the successful growth of many
OF earth's products, but of those that inter
est us particularly we will enumerate cattle,
sugar, cotton, tobacco and rice. With
sugar, perhaps | am more familiar than with
the other commodities. Last year we i'm
ported 70,000,0O0 pounds of sugar from Ma
Mia, upon which a duty was paid of practi
cally cents per pound. The production of
the Philippine islands last year aggregated
100000 tons. We are, unfortunately, so little
acquainted with the country and its posi-
bilites that the area suitable for sugar-cane
culture is an unknown quantity, but con
scrvative people who have visited Manila
estimate that the product can be multiplied
ten times on the island of Luzon. Philip
pine sugar is the cheapest sugar in the
world 1t is made by the cheapest labor and
k,-fb ba
known. 1t can be laid down upon this
coast, excluding duty, for l.6 cents per
pound 1t can be refined for not to exceed
Al of cent per pound. The re6ners can
sell it and make a profit for less money than
the beet-sugar manufacturer can make his
product for. Under a protective tariff and
under normal conditions, the existing fac
tories in Southern California will have a
capacity for 275,000 tons of sugar beets per
annum. They will pay the farmer and the
common laborer a sum not less than Sl,600,-
900 per annum. The increased business of the
railways incident to the manufacture of
sugar will give employment to a still larger
number Of men, whose monthly pay is dis
tributed among our merchants. Assuming
that the Philippine islands become annexed
to the United States, under our constitution
we cannot levy a tax upon any product they
may desire to ship to the United States.
Their 100000 tons of sugar that they prob
ably can produce within from three to five
years will be eight-tenths, at least, of all
the sugar the United States consumes an
nually. 1t will be very difficult for the
sugar makers to maintain their factories in
-oneration in the face of free sugar from Ha-
+waII, winch will produce 500, ,000,0 900 pounds
annually.
1t is a matter of considerable doubt as to
whether in our trade with Manila, as part
Of our territory, we should be able to com
pete with their imitation of American man.
ufactured goods. They are as cunning as the
Chinese or japanese; can initiate an Amer
lean wagon at much less expense than they
can purchase one for; but, even were it pos
sible to succeed in that direction, the deplor-
able results to the agricultural interests of
the state would make the commercial profits
sink into insignifcance in comparison. Agri-
culture is poorly protected, at best; cotton
is deplorably low in price, and here comes a
menace in the annexation of a country that
can produce a superior quality of cotton
England sacrificed her agricultural inter
csts to promote her manufacturing indus
tries. The deplorable condition of the Eng
lish farmer is known wherever English news
papers are read. History will be repeated
if the United States annexes the Philippines
Mr.. Marvin, in the Overland Monthly fol
June. says: manila is the garden spot O
earth," meaning, of course, the island o
Luzon. The testimony of all travellers ant
writer's upon the subject confirms this state
ment. Shall we depreciate our own garder
spot, Southern California, by recommending
the taking on of powerful rival?
We have dangerous foe to horticulture
in Porto Rico, territory 100x4o miles in ex
tent, and capable of producing more oranges
and lemons than Southern California. Shall
we add the island of Luzon, with it's great
possibilities in horticultural development
The Hawaiian barnaclc is already attached
never to be rubbed off. We can only meet
the competition in orange growing by ou
superior intelligence and foresight Freight
rates must be reduced and orange growers
must expect less profit and live upon O
smaller income. but to absorb the Philip
nine islands-I shudder at the fatal conse
ouences to agriculture. Colonization o
Americans will never be successful to an,
extent; the climate is against it; it vii
menace the safety of our government anf
our freedom from military despotsm ant
control. VIM. II. HolABlhD.
Los Angeles. November l, 1898.