Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-27
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Now Favors a Small Tariff
for Porto Rican Goods.
INFORMAL CABINET DISCUSSION
Cannot Set a Precedent for Action
as to the Philippines.
CHINA AND THE OPEN DOOR

passage OF Dill pr0VlulnS 1or Sfnall
tariff on Porto Rican goods coming to this
country. He will sign and indorse, if it
passes Congress, the proposed measure fix
ing the tariff at 10 per cent of the Dingley
tariff. and limiting the operation of the
measure to two years. In fact. there are
many strong assertions today that the
President himself brought about this COM
promise-frst, for the reason that he wants
to see his party united, and, next, for the
reason that he is perfectly willing to take
his share of the responsibility for the pas
sage of such legislation. He wants it un'
derstood however. that every dollar of the
money collected must be spent in Porto
Rico.
The President has not been forced to such
a position. because it is too well known
that had he insisted on absolute free trade
he would have been able to defeat the bill
outright. He could have done this way.
and in addition possessed the veto power TO
accomplish its defeat.
In the cabinet session today there was
considerable talk of the Porto Rican bill
and its possible political effects. 1t is said
that several of the cabinet officers who
have been out of the city had something to
say in the nature of observations. They
talked about public sentiment. There was
not any formal discussion of the subject.
The President is not worrying himself
about any feature of the situation, and
therefore asks for no suggestions from his
cabinet. He does not fear the political con-
bill imposing duties on the products of
Porto Rico. He believes, with other leaders
of his party, that the republicans will be
able to explain to the people of the country
any matter now causing adverse criticism
The President this morning talked with
Representatives Bromwell of Ohio and
Crumpacker of Indiana both of whom have
been opposing the passage of the bill. On
leaving the White House Mr.. Bromwell said
that he believed the amended bill will pass
and will be satisfactory to the people and
the republican party. Mr.. Crumpacker, it
Is understood, has not changed his views,
and will vote against the bill on the ground
that it is unconstitutional. He fears that
1t will be the means of hurting the party in
the fall elections.
The opinion is cautiously expressed by
good authority that the entire cabinet be
lieves in putting a temporary tariff on Porto
Rican goods but it may be positively stated
that the question was never brought up for
formal action in the cabinet room. When
the President wrote his message advocating
free trade with the island the cabinet
agreed with him. New light has since
changed their opinions. just the opinions
of many other prominent men have been
changed.
The change in the attitude of the republic
cans. or of thousands of them. is due to .he
possession of the Philippines. To admit
Porto Rican goods to this country free of
charge would mean, 1t Is pointed out today.
that Congress would have to take the same
course as to the Philippines. Almost every
republican who has talked with the Presi-
dent opposes free trade with the Philip
pines, and the policy of the party as to that
island is determined now unless the Su-
preme Court ultimately decides that Con-
gress has no power to impose varying i'm
post duties.
Talking of the Open Door.
But the most serious question of all that
y, ,lx
Philippines might lead to International
complications Of grave character. Secretary
Hay has just concluded with the nations of
Europe agreement that the policy of
trade in China shall be open and free-in
briefo that the United States shall have the
same right to commerce in the British or
French or Russian spheres in China as
those countries themselves. Would Europe
agree to maintain an open door in China
for the United States while this country
had free trade with the Philippines? Would
Russia be content to have her goods pay
those of the United States go into the
islands free? Then comes the question
asked by leading administration republi
cans today. if this country Is to have the
door kept open for her in China can she
shut her own door In the Philippines to the
other nations? The territory Germany
owns in China Is Just as much her own as
that owned by the United States in the
matter serious thought.
The next question the leaders have given
profound study to is whether free trade can
be maintained with the Philippines without
dangerously injuring the protective tarir
system which the republicans espouse. The
sugar, tobacco and other agricultural pro-
ducts Of the Philippines would be so large
as to almost destroy the same Industries in
this country If admitted to the ports OF the
United States free.
One leading republican of the administra-
ton has been so bold as to say that If the
anticipated troubles over the Philippines
ltnquiShing their possession by this country.
1t is declared today that there is no un-
friendly feeling as to Porto Rico. If the
republicans hold the reins of power another
four years they will admit the goods of the
island free, but they cannot afford to set
precedent for the Philippines, and will not
do 1t is further hoped that by the time
the question of a tariff for the Philippines
is discussed by Congress the Supreme Court
will have decided whether Congress has the
power to levy varying impost duties. If the
republicans are sustained in their conten-
tions the Philippines will have a tariff sys-
TEN of their own, suitable to their needs
and interests, as well as the interests of
this country. If the Supreme Court holds
will have to be a mammoth rearrangement
of policies and politics as to the Philip
pines. This is the view of many prominent
republicans today.
The May Elections In Cuba.
General Ludlow, military governor of Ha-
vana. called at the White House this morn
ing to pay his respects to the President
before leaving for New York tonight or
tomorrow. General Ludlow will leave on
Saturday for Havana.
1.-The affairs of the island are in a wait
ing condition just now he said 1.-THE first
general municipal election will take place
in May, and We are all awaiting the out
come of the maiden attempt with a good
deal of interest. All the cities in the island
are. to elect mayors and councils at that
| time. Politics is already humming in Ha-
vana, and l see local paper announces
that there are twelve candidates for mayor
This is a lively beginning. All the city Of
| ficers appointed by me in January 1899,
and since then will be succeeded by the
| officers elected by the Cuban people In
| other words. we must hold hands off after
| the newly elected officials are Installed
| What the general politics of the island
will be is still a problem. The annexation
| lists will form one, I am told, but they will
| probably conduct a still-hunt campaign for
| a while. The independence faction will
! also form a party or attach themselves to
| some of the parties which declare for this.
| This faction Is gaining strength every day.
For my part. hope they will succeed The