The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-09

China and not be asked to give an open
door as to the Philippines
What does an open door mean It
means that the ships and merchandise OF
other nations shall 20 into the ports OF
the Philippines on precisely the same
terms as our ships and merchandise. II
we cannot levy a duty on imports into the
Philippines from the United states be-
cause. as the Senator from Massachu-
setts argues. that would be practically
an export duty. what will be the conse-
quences2 We will have to 20 in with our
goods free Of all duty and il we 20 in
free of an duty. the ships and merchan-
disc OF other nations viii 60 in free Of
an duty"
Mt Lindsay-Why
Mt Foraker-Bscause that IS what an
open door means. II We 60 into the Phil
ippiue Islands with our merchandise free
Of duty. Germany and England ana France
and Austria and every other country will
80 in with their merchandise free Of duty,
ana IL so. Il VIII be because the Philip
pines have become an integral part Of he
United States as much as any other ter
ritory under our flag And what is the
consequence We cannot levy either
protective or revenue tariff, and we might
as well dismantle our custom houses and
20 out OF the business Of collecting reve-
nue. There is no escape from il.
In reply to a pertinent question put at
this point by Mr. Tillman. Mr.. Foraker
said. 1t will be a question what we
ought to do with the Philippines. and
am frank TO say that II the Supreme
Court decides that we cannot levy any
tax on our imports into those Islands We
will have to adopt a very different policy
from what I now anticipate"
rala ina tH-kQ
becomes OF all the cant about philanthropy
and glory and the flag and the whole hu-
manitarian aspect Of the business?"
There is an easy answer TO that" Mr..
Foraker replied. The Senator cannot
throw ridcule on the matter. We want
the question settled not alone in order that
We may know on what kind Of conditions
we stand with the people. but that We may
know whether we can say 70 the people OF
the Urlted States that the labor and in
dustry of this country viii receive protec-
tiou from the unjust competition OF the
Malays OF the Philippine Islands. In my
judgment it would be nothing short OF
criminal stupidity in Congress not to legis-
late iwhen il has occasion and opportunity
TO do sol. so as to raise that question
Mr.. TiIIman's Question.
Mr TiHmsn-Wiu the Senator explain
why it is that the President Of the United
States. who had better sources of informa-
tion than the Senator had, gave US to un-
dersrand in his message that IL would be
our bouuden duty TO have free trade with
Porto Rico. and only changed his opinion
when Il was found that the interests Of the
sugar ard tobacco trusts would be injured
by free trade.
Il will have 20 refer the Senator to my
colleague Mr.. Foraker replied
To whom p" Mr Tillman asked.
TO my colleague" Mr. Foraker re
peatei. Il 60 not know: I am not the
keeper Of the Presidents opinion"
81 DO not know" he continued whether
g he President has changed his mind or not.
] do no pretend to know. ! have no doubt
that the President knows more about the
matter now than he did then"
Mr.. Tiilman returned to the charge with
q remark that Mr. Foraker thought more
Of protection than he thought OF philan-
thropy in the matter OF the Porto Ricans.
No" Mr. Foraker replied but I do
not think there is any higher or better
than that which begins at
home"
This discussion continued until O'Clock.
Mr. Foraker replying to the assaults upon
the bill from both sides Of the chamber.
IN the course Of il Mr. Hoar said:
The simple thing 10 do is to make an
immediate appropriation of a sum Of money
for Porto Rico. There is no doubt about
that and ! invite the Senator who has
made such an eloquent appeal for the
starving people OF Porto Rico not to keep
the bread from their mouths by all this
tedious process with a doubt in the end
whether fhe provision turn out to be con-
stitutioual OF no"
At o'clock. iE Pursuance Of previous ar
rangement the Senate took recess uu-
til : o'clock The evening session TO be de-
voted exclusively to the form OF reading a
very long blll further to provide a civil
code for Alaska