New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-09
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
KEEPING A FREE HAND, WHILE TREAT.
ING PUERTO RICO GENEROUSLY.

Washington. March S-A member Of the
Cabinet tonight made the following statement:
There has been wide misapprehension of the
Puerto Rican Tariff bill. of the attitude Of the
President Of the action of Congress, and of their
relations TO each other. The criticism and the
concern which have come from some well mean
Ing quarters due almost entirely to a mis-
understanding of the real facts. When the coun-
try correctly understands the truth, if GER
tainly will, il will thoroughly approve what has
been done.
The attempt to represent that there has been
E. disagreement between the President and Con-
sress Is wholly unfounded. There has been no
essential difference between them. Both have
sought the object. The recommendation
OF the President and the House BILL in their
purpose and their effect, come to the same thing.
AS a consequence. each rightly sustains the
other. The clouds Of confusion on the subject
have been clouds of misunderstanding and will
clear away A simple statement of the facts will
make this plain.
The President. in his annual Message of De-
cember. urged that the customs duties on trade
between Puerto Rico and the United States be
removed. Imports from Puerto Rico into the
the Dingley rates. They have no preference
over goods from any foreign country. The
President felt that Puerto Rico should be re-
lieved of this burden. He urged that it should
be removed, not matter Of legal right, but
Of liberal and humane public policy
His argument indicated his reasons and sug-
geSted his view TO the question OF Constttu-
s7soiRl obligation. Puerto Rico, severed from
Suaau had lost her old markets and had gained
ibv !. hyrricaue and left destitute Humanity
r'etated every effort to lift her up and to give
a new market. This the Presidents
and what need Of such a plea II the Con-
III IN of itself carried free trade TO Puerto
-. :? In that case free trade goes 10 hef'
fF1ether right or not.
ASKING TENDENCIES IN CONGRESS.
What the President proposed that the
sted States should offer the largest and most
rous measure of help to the distressed and
Fuil ering island. and he has never wavered :, d
Chi he
suggestion been accepted and followed by all IN
his spirit and he meant it. with the Enllta-
tinns he intended, all would have oeen Wen.
there would have been harm in any direc-
ton But when the time came for actlon IN
Congress- two tendencies were seen. On the one
ssnS there were good men and some business
and agricultural interests that, While NOT CD
jecling little Directing to Tree trace VIII VIII
Puerto Rico alone, feared that free trade with
Puerto Rico would be made precedent Tor tree
trade with the philippines. They felt that there
should be a distinct assertion ana exercise Oh
the power to impose duties. however small. as
an assurance that this power was reserved TOT
other cases. 49,. -
bosed as a worthy act Of National generosity
rand liberal policy was seized by pontlcaa Up
ponents and claimed necessary ana IN,
eyitable measure Of inherent constitutional
right They insisted that the Constitution by
its own force extends to Puerto Rico ana an
the new island possessions and spreads all IT'S
gIproyis.ens over them including uniform TAXA
ton They were eager TO commit Repupilcan
Congress to the adoption Of free trade with
Puerto Rico not as a measure OF generous .
1 exrediency. but because they could then clalHl
:. that fl had riyeted q hard and fast princlpie
I which would tie the hands of the tioVernrna
fNverywhere, in the Philippines as wen as IN
Puerto Rico without regard TO varying condl-
TONS and which would expose the Admlnistra-
ton and its party to all the criticism and at
tacks that would be made on such POSITION
1 GAME THAT DID NOT SUCCEED
IT was a cunning game, but it did not sue
eeed The apprehension Of the honest DIRECTORS,
who feared that the concession of full free trade
10 Puerto Rico would lead to misconstruction,
and the designs of the crafty partisans, who
meant that IL should, We're both met and frus-
trated by the bill which passed the House, and
which levies 10 per cent, or less than one-sixth
of the Dingley rates. That low rate involves
no possible hardship. 1t has the advantage of
producing needed revenue from which, until
EVIL government and law fully organized
in Puerto Rico, cannot be raised well from
any other source
There was another point which not gen.
orally understood. The bill provides that the
whole amount Of duties goods coming from
Puerto Rico shall be paid back to Puerto Rico
for the benefit of the island. Thus il fully
harmonizes with the object at which the Pres
dent aimed-of relieving the trade Of Puerto
Rico from burdensome restrictions and of
tending the largest degree Of help; and when
it was crowned by the Presidents special mes
sage-pronptly carried out by the House-pro-
viding not only that the duties hereafter col
Iected, but that those heretofore collected, to
the amount Of 100000, should be appro-
priateG to be expended wholly in Puerto Rico
for her development and Improvement, abso-