The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-31
SPANS TARIFF.
Americans Will Continue Pres
ent System at Manila.

New York. May ga special to the
Times from Washington says:
AS a result of the investigation the
treasury department has been making in
to the question of tariff for the Philip
pines to be levied military contribu-
ton during the occupation of the islands
by the United States forces, the admin
istration has practically decided to en-
force the existing Spanish schedules, with
only such changes as the circumstances
may make necessary.
The experts of the customs service have
made an exhaustive study of Spanish tar
ifs, with special reference to the course
to be pursued in the Philippines, and the
results of these labors have been laid be-
fore the president by Secretary Gage. The
first preparation was to adopt new tar
if drawn the American model, as was
done when this country occupied Tam
picO during the Mexican war.
In that case, which has furnished the
most useful presidents for the present
emergency. a special tariff was prepared
and enforced during the brief occupation
United States. In the case of the Philip
pines however in view of the differences
of languages and of standards of meas
ures, of the remoteness of the territory
and of the conditions entirely disstmilar
to those existing here, it has been deemed
the Spaniards will leave them and con-
iieved, will cause less interruption to
commerce. be more satisfactory to the for
eign merchants who do business with the
islands, and prove more acceptable to the
natives whose good will is reco gnized as
worth cultivating if the territory is re-
tanned.
The Spanish tariff in the Philippines is
different from our own in that it is q reve-
icy of squeezing the colonies just as much
as they will stand, the rates have been
made Just as high as possible. They are
specific entirely. no ad valorem duty being
laid. All goods imported from the mother
country are exempted from taxation, so
as to make it to the interest of the people
free list is large, especial privileges be-
ing given to the priests and to the church.
will be changed under the American adj
mnistration will be the abridging of this
free list, to take away the discrim-
nations in favor of the church and nu-
merous holy orders.
The enforcement of the tariff will be
left to the military authorities under Gen.
will have no official connection with it, al
though it will send out a number of ex-
in the technical execution of the task. The
tariff being imposed strictly as military
contribution. the proceeds will be turned
fOrmality of forwarding them to the treas
ury. In view of international law, the
Philippines, even after they have been oc-
cupied by the military forces of the Unit
ed States, will remain extraneous terri
tory. They. will not be part of this
of peace has settled tire title upon us. In
consequence, American goods to the ISL
ends viii be made to Pay Just , as goods
rect contrast to the Spanish policy, and is
expected to have good effect in making
Americas occupation popular. AS the
American merchants will have no adj
vantage over those of other countries, and
ment in the administration with regard
to honesty and progress, the commercial
has nothing to complain of as a result of
the change of masters of the Philippines.