The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23
When the Decision Comes, What Thena

Surprising the United States Supreme
Court, adhering to the trend of its past
decisions, should decide adversely TO the
Republican contention that the Constitu-
ton does not follow the flag, what will be
the effect of that decision upon the Philip
pine policy of that party? The court will,
in all probability, dispose of the pending
case involving that question during the
life OF the present administration and the
F1fty-sixth Congress. A decision is ex-
pected before the end of the year. Should
it be rendered before the 4th of March.
1901, or in case of the Republican victory
in the Presidential and Congressional cleo
tons, after that date, and should il con-
denim the Republican contention, a crisis
will be at hand. The Chicago Chronicle,
one OF the intensest Of anti-imperial or
gans, confidently looks for such a decis-
ion, and predicts that when it comes the
imperialists will hasten to adopt the
'scuttle policy despite the Presidents
impressive declaration that there will be
no such policy. Mr.. Mckinley himself.
the Chronicle says, will eat his words with
great relish.
The Chronicle submits several reasons
for It's belief, and they are worth consid-
ering. although they might be more i'm
pressive If more calmly and dispassIon-
ately stated. Its first suggestion relates
TO the tariff. II is confident that rather
than permit the products of the Philn-
pines to come into the States untaxed, the
'scuttle policy would be adopted. mo
matter" 1t says, IF the people of those
possessions fall into anarchy and DESTROY
themselves-no matter If they fan a nrev
to the harpies of Europe-their nrodpcts
must never be permitted TO come into
Tree competition with the products of our
sacred pet industries"
Recalling some of the speeches made
In Congress in support OF the Porto Rico
tariff remembering the sudden reversoi
OF cur plain duty on that occasion and
The influences which wrought the change
II does not seem unreasonable 10 sunnosa
that as choice between getting out Of
the philippines and giving them free trade.
With the States the inclination 10 sent
Tie might be Irresistible. But there e
another and, We think. a stronger reason
advanced by the Chronicle. II declares
that the imperialists Will ''scuttIe" no
cause they will not dare admit a misceI-
leneous lot of Spaniards, half-breeds
negroes, kanakas, Japanese. TagaIs
slaye-holding and polygamous Moham-
medans. and the Lord knows what else n
participation in the government Of tb.,
country" And this. our contemporarv
submits, they must do. "or scuttle n the
court holds, as it always has neld. that
territories can be acquired not TO be held
as provinces and governed despotically
outside OF the Constitution. but only 10 be
erected into States with all the powers
and rights Of the original States"
Another Chicago paper, the Times Har-
aid. which is on the Republican side in
the campaign but stands just where IL
dio when IL stoutly opposed the abandon
ment OF "our plain duty" makes an IA
teresting contribution 10 the literature OF
this question. II says: THE United
states can set out OF the Philippines
That Is IA question for Congress 10 decide
after The present policy Of the President
has been sustained by a verdict OF the
people In November. Ii is a problem
easily within the range OF American
craftsmanship"
We confess our inability 10 see how the
United States can get out Of the Philip
pines II they are. as the Democrats con-
tend and as The Post believes, an in
togral part OF this republic Where Is the
authority under which Congress could
Withdraw our sovereignty from any ter
riiory that has been brought under our
Constitution The reelection OF Presl-
dent Mckinley would not be "a verdict
81 The people sustaining his policy. Eyen
the Times-Herald is hostile 10 that policy