The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-19


Mr.. Mckinley aud the Open Door.
When we had the pleasure of reading
the Mckinley Nelson interview for the
first time the thought occurred that~it was
more than likely TO render the interviewer
famous if not comfortable. and we are con-
WINGED Of il now, since within twenty-four
hours Of its publication Mr.. Nelson has felt
obliged TO explain that one OF the most
important opinions amounting to a definite
International policy which he put into tbs
mouth Of the President was in fact mere
ly his own view, Mr.. Mckinley holding one
quite contrary.
Now. Of course this is quite proper, and
almost equally refreshing. II means that
oil the expressions credited 20 Mr.. McKin-
ley in the interview which may strike q
popular chord. are his sure enough but
that all which may excite horror or resent
ment have been improperly ascribed 70
him aud are only the less highminded
ideas Of Henry LOomis Nelson. to whom
nur sympathies are due. for verify he has
digged a pit and projected himself into the
cavity.
The point and purpose of explanation
and denial Number One first series). is to
relieve President Mckinley of the impress
sion created by Mr.. nelson's clear and con-
else statement that he is unalterably op-
pcsed to the open door" in the Philip
pines as that policy would enable foreign
nations to compete with the infant indus
tries OF the United States in supplying the
archipelago with necessaries, convenience.
and luNuries Of life. What Mr. Nelson
apparently gathered from his conyersa-
tiOn with the President was that the Ad-
miustration intended to put a protective
tariU on imports from the Philippines sufi-
Client to satisfy the sugar. tobacco. hemp.
and rum interests OF the American States
and prohibitive tariff on imports into
the Philippines, except as to American
mainland productions, which should be
free. or practically so. in order to give a
monopoly Of the island consumption to our
patriotic and struggling producers OF oil
whisky. -four. bacon. furniture the metals
aud so on.
position so paradoxlcaI would nat
urally make even a Republican Admins
tratiou blush and wriggle. 1t has not los
q minute in performing those acts o
modification for the public benefit Mr.
Nelson hastens 10 give earnest assuranc,
that Mr.. Mckinley and his Admiuistra
ton have been unconSciously misrepre
scented. that he and his Cabinet are hear
and soul for the open door in the Phil
ippines. How could they be otherwise
when they are demanding the same -hini
in China with all the yigor Of an aston
iShing Anglo American diplomacy q pow.
erful fleet. and blood in their eye2
The same question has occurred to us
and doubtless, to many million Ameri-
cans. II would be a little sinuous. viewed
from the ground Of good faith and equity
for the Administration and its cohorts in
Congress. which. we must not forget. are
absolutely under its control and the con-
troll OF the trusts and monopolies. TO de-
mand free trade with the territories
under European protection in China and
exclude their productions from our Fai
East. Mr.. Mckinley would scorn such an
attitude SO would Mr. Hay. Mr.. Gag,
would consider it worse than a Congress.
ioual Investigation. and Griggs would no
know what to think about it until h
should hear from headquarters.
Unfortunately these patriotic and piou
men have wicked partners whom Mr.. Mel
son describes as the Republican party. an.
he says that it vas to this malign infu
cnce he referred. 4 was expressing m,
own opinion that the party and its domf
nant influence. the protected interests
would not permit the open door policy q
prevail in the Philippines for the reason
1 gave-reasons which are preventing Con
gress from following the Presidents ad
vice 90 grant free trade to Porto Rico
Thus, the real situation as regards tn,
attitude Of the Administration toward Gu
new possessions is at last clearly deine
through the McKinley-Nelson interview
amended next day to cover a slight over
sight Mr. Mckinley is personally in IA
vor Of the open door" in Porte Ric
and the Philippines, because he knows tina
policy to be the only legal one under tn
Constitution, and that when the Suprem
Court has had a chance to speak On tn
subject il will have to prevail. But hi
Administration is willing to promote
different view in Congress. in order tina
the protected interests may not be offend
ed and refuse to pour golden eagles int
the bOttOmless hole OF the RepuDlica
campaign fund Of 1900. We are at los
TO know which to be the sOrTier for. Nj
Nelson. or Mr.. Mckinley.
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