The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04
THE "OPEN-DOoRo POLICY.
How senator Chandler CONSTITUTES the
8Iuch-Discussed Phrase.


Much-Discussed Phrase.
NEW YORK, Dec. Ex-senator William E.
Chandler. of New Hampshire, in an inter
view with a Washington correspondent 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 a general misunderstanding OF
the open door policy of the administra-
ton. The phrase in it's present application
is somewhat misleading. ] have heard it
contended that if we inaugurated this policy
foreign nations who are in closer prox-
unity to the Philippines than the United
States will have 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 prescribe permanent
tariff laws for the Philippines: that is a
congressional function and must be exer-
cised exclusively by Congress when the
islands have reached their normal peace
conditions. The President, in the execution
of his duties, has only the right to demand
that Spain evacuate the Islands and turn
them over to the United States. Then he
sets up a military government until such
time as Congress may act. 1t rests with
Congress to establish a permanent scheme
of commercial relations and tariff admin
istraton.
After Spain has left the islands, the
military branch of the government takes
charge. Then comes the open door policy
The tariff rates are prescribed by the mill
itary government, which shall apply not
only to European nations, but to the United
States as well. No nation on earth is given
ol.io L. 10 r.fc
enough revenue to pay off the 100000 to
Spain. That money viii come from rev.
enue derived from England, France, Ger
many America; in fact, every nation. 1t
can be seen, therefore. that foreign ma
lions, on account of their convenient situa-
tion TO the Philippines, will have no mo-
terial advantages over the United States.
We want to raise the $20,003,000 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 Phil
ippines 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
$20O00O00, which it is agreed TO pay Spain.
After this money is raised then it will be
the time for Congress to act. 1t will enact
such tariff legislation as 1t deems proper
If it is decided to annex the islands. then
customs duties will be prescribed which VIII
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 p1oducts lnat
they import. Hence, it can be seen that the
open door policy is only a temporary
measure, and instead of being to our dis
advantage, will rebound to our beneft.
IF Congress decides to grant the Filipinos
their independence, then they will probably
be obliged to pay us the S20.OCeCo0 which we
are to give to Spain. [ find that the main
opposition to the annexation of the Philip
pines 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 imperialism is a mis-
placed one and is not only misunderstood,
but entirely unwarranted.