The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-18

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! can policy towards the newly acquired
possessions. The article is vouched for as
an authoritative Interpretation OF the pres
ident's views. According to MIR Nelson, 1t
Is Mr.. McKinley's belief, and It will be
his purpose to carry the belief into opera
ton, that the constitution does not apply
to any of our new islands; that those pco
pie are not 1T for self government beyond
thai proposed for Hawaii; that our new
possessions must not be permitted to in
lure any Of our protected interests and
that free trade with Puerto Rico Is right
because our protected interests Will not
be injured thereby.
The president belieyes-and this is the
most important statement that can posi-
bly, be made touching his present beliefs 49,
that congress has plenary power over Ho-
vail Puerto Rico and the Philippines He
holds that congress may pass one tariff
law for Puerto Rico. another for the Phil
ippines and that ali may be different from
that Of the United States 1t does not APP
pear likely to his mind that any question
can ever arise as to the civil rights OF the
people of these places
"Mr McKlnleys attitude then. toward
the natives, is benevolent. He desires to
elevate them, to educate them and ne
hopes that in the end they will become
worthy Of being entrusted with local self
government. He does not think any Of
these natives are worthy now. except the
few In Hawaii, upon whom 1t Is intended
to bestow the suffrage-a few more than
possessed the suffrage under the Dole gov
ernment
MIR. Mckinley holds that the constitu-
tion only applies to a territory when it
iB acquired by a treaty or by legislation.
Upon this point there are authorities IN
his favor, but he goes beyond the au-
thoritles and holds that congress is not
bound by the limitations OF he const tn =
ton when it enters upon tho task OF
legIslat.ug-that IS, 1t may refuse 10 the
natives and 10 the AmerIcan citizens who
may go TO our colonies the right OF lry
trial. the right OF free speech the right
to bear arms, the right OF peaceaJle as
semblage. and of petition, freedom from
unwarNntable arrest. freedom irom starch
ALI these rights which the const tuition
guarantees so jealousy. But the main
purpose is to deal with the island as
markets for American products and as the
subjects of commercial exploitation gem
orally. The president Is thorough be-
lever In the moral and Intellectual value
OF commerce and he proceeds on the
theory that II the nation Is doing well
as a buyer and seller, 1t is presumptively
well governed and it's people are morally
sound. He looks forward to beneAting the
natives by expanding the blessings Of
Protestant Christianity and civilization OF
/ by means Of commerce
ut is important to dlgress moment"
says Mr.. Nelson. FOR the purpose OF say
ing the president is largely under the In
nuence OF certain clergymen, one OF whom
considers he is the chosen champion OF
Professionalism in It's Imaginary war with
Romanlsm and this accounts In large
measure for his conviction that In spread
Ing Christianity ard civilization among
the hcathen he is gaining aud keeping the
approval of good Americans. Mr.. McKin-
ley is loyal Methodist and is naturally
stirred and moved by the enthusiasm and
spirit OF that important denomination.
1T does not follow on the presidents
theory that II free trade is established be-
tween this country and Puerto Rico there
should not be a protective tariff against
the products OF the Philippines and OF
Cuba, for Cuba is talked about naturally
in administration circles and in congress
as II its annexation to this country were
matter OF course.
zone thing is settled definitely in re-
spect to the Philippines The open door
IL not to be applied to them. The repub-
lican party will not consent to give the
Asiatie world an opportunity to land its
goods in the Philippines free of duty, to
enjoy whatever modified tarlff there may
be established between the Philippines
and the United States.
THE protected interests are not to be
injured by the annexation OF any country,
Mr.. Mckinley did not favor tree trade
with Puerto Rico until he was satisfied no