Evening star., 1900-03-23
LONG FAVoRs A TARIFF.
Secretary of the Navy Discussses the
Porto Rican Question.

In speech on current political issues de-
livered before the Middlesex Club of Bos-
ton last night, Secretary Long Of the Navy
said in part:
1T is no use to shut our eyes to the fact
that n fight is on. 1t is no use TO deny
that opposition Is strong and has grown
stronger, as it always grows stronger on
the eve of an election. 1t is no use 10
deny that there are malcontents and honest
doubters. The honest doubter must be hon.
estly met and honestly answered. He IS
deserving of the highest respect and the
most candid argument.
1T is true that our territorial acquisitions
have brought most serious problems. The
Philippine Islands are ours by the solemn
compact of a treaty. They are ours too,
by the acquiescence of the larger part OF
the native inhabitants. We are thereby
right, and we are bound to stay by every
duty 1t is not a theory which confronts
us. but a condition. We therefore ask our
critics not to spin theories of what might
have been done, but to cooperate with US.
and help us 10 take our duty and discharge
it. Here again, the calm, judicial mind
will discriminate between the right mean
really believe in the specter of imperial
ism, and the shrewd leaders of the demo-
cratic party, who are using that term sim
ply as a party cry.
There Is no anti-inperialism, simply be-
cause there has never been any imperial
ism Beside, If they help to bring in Mr..
Bryan on the cry Of anti-imperialism cit
would no more let the Philippines go than
it would part with the collectorship of
custom house. Once in power, the demo-
Gratis would Immediately say that the wick
ed republicans had fastened these Islands
upon the country, and the only thing to do
is to make the best of them. and the most
out of them. What is needed in their own
behalf is not the antagonism of those of
our republican friends who have gone off
from US on the Philippine question, but
their cooperation.
"The administration is fioundertng in no
uncertainty 1t is pursuing straightfor-
ward course to order and peace and good
government. In dealing with our new island
territories the interesting question has
arisen whether the limitations of the Con-
stitution extend by its own force TO them.
or whether Congress has full power over
them. For myself I have never doubted
that Webster. the great expounder of the
Constitution, was right in the opinion that
islands ceded to us are subject TO legisla-
ton by Congress.
What is constitutionaily true of the Phil
ippines, is true also, of course. of Porto
Rico. The vital point at stake is the con-
stitutional one. All the rest is a question
of what is the wisest and best thing to do
in the way of legislation. Of one thing /
am sure, that Porto Rico in its present con-
dition needs help, and that help has been
given, at the suggestion of the President, by
an appropriation OF more tldn Two MIL
lions of dollars for her relief. But also
think there has been a great deal of ex-
aggeration of the importance of the ques-
ton Of subjecting imports from Porto Rico
to a customs duty. OF the constitutional
right to impose it have no doubt. OF it's
wisdom, Congress must judge.
There is strength in the argument for
this small customs tariff on imports, that
it is the easiest way for the internal ex-
penditure Of Porto Rico to be raised. If 1t
does not put the Porto Ricans on an equal
ity with ourselves by giving them free
trade, 1t is only because it gives them
something more liberal even than free trade
without the relief above stated would be-"