The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-02-02
THE OPEN DOOR.

Lateiy Tie Newspapers nave Deen
extensively discussing the "open
door" question ms applied TO the
Philippine Islands. There seems to
be considerable diversity of opin-
Ion as to what the ''open door" real
ly means. The British idea amounts
practically to a tariff for revenue
only and all nations treated alike,
We do not think that is the Ameri-
can idea. On the contrary, the
American idea Is that all nations ex-
cept the United States will be subject
to the same tariff which for many
years will be essentially protective
When this Government takes formal
possession Of the Philippines, those
isIands will become part Of the
United States and subject to the
same exercise laws that prevail in
the United States. There will not
be one set of tariff laws for the
Philippines and another for this coun-
try Numerically opposed to each
other In principal. Whatever advan-
tages Of trade the Philippines may
present, the Unined States will re-
tain, The Philippines, il acquired
by the United States, which is now
almost certainty, will be acquired
for the benefit of the United States
aud not for the benefit Of Great
Britain or any other nation. Spain
had established tariff laws in all her
Colonies which we're almost prohibit
tive Of trade with other nations
Wherever this Government has taken
formal possession OF Spanish territory
those highly restrictive laws have
been modified In conformity with the
laws Of this country and the same
thing, with possibly some slight ex-
captions will be done all along the
line. There will be no Cobdenism
"open doors" on the Philippine,
coasts. Idaho Enterprise,
Granting that the constitutional
provisions, "duties, imposts and
excuses shall be uniform throughout
the United States" and 'No prefer
crence shall be given by any regula-
tion Of commerce or revenue to the
ports Of one state over those OF an
other" will be construed as apply ing
to United States territory other than
states, giving in effect free trade be-
tween the parent country and the
Philippines and West Indian colo
mics and, as corollary, that the
same duties will be enforced in our
colonies us at home, we cannot see
how American industries or Ameri-
can labor is to be benefited by the
consequent control Of the Philippine
trade. Far from it, il such is the
open door policy to be enforced, then
We see in it q menace to the interests
OF American labor. We should not
forget that, while we are great pro
ducers, our country is still the great
est market in the world, market
every civilized nation is striving to
enter and supply. That being so
American laws would but foster in.
dustries in the Philippines that, hav-
ing the advantage of cheap labor,
would severely affect competing man
ufacturers at home, resulting, if tue
home factory is to continue in opera
ton, in reduced wages for American
mechanics and artisans. Indeed we
have 80 little confidence in che patri-
0tlsm Of the American capitalist, as
70 think it more than likely that he
would move his factories bodily across
the water and operate them by some
OF the millions of pauper labor there
available. What is to hinder him
from so doing2 Labor would he
cheaper, transportation TO the marts
~ Asia quicker and cheaper; even to
own country it would cost less 10
goods to New York by vessel
l.