New-York tribune., 1901-05-30
THE PHILIPPINES STATUS.
AN ANNOYING QUESTION LIKELY TO
CONFRONT THE ADMINISTRATION.
SUPREME COURTS DECISION MAY BE CON
STRUED AS EXTENDING COASTwISE
TRADE REGULATIoNs-THE Gov
ERNMENTS POLICY SOON
TO BE ANNOUNCED
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuNE.1 ;
TO BE ANNOUNCED.

tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Washington May 29-Discusson of the Su
preme Courts decision in the :nsular test cases
is still active in Washington particularly with
reference to the bearing of the decisions on the
status of the Philippines. 1t appears that a
much more annoying question than that of
the political status of the Philippines in the
absence of a Supreme Court decision on that
direct Issue is liable to confront the admins
tration through the courts decision in the pilot
age case which attracted little attention at the
time. but handed down with the other
insular decisions on Monday. 1t is feared that
the pilotage decision will be construed as ex-
tending the regulations of the coastwise trade
to the. Philippines. we'll to Porto Rico and
Hawaii BY direction of the President and on
recommendation of the Bureau of Navigation of
the Treasury Department. the coastwise regula-
tions extended TO Porto Rico soon after
the ratification Of the Paris treaty, or in Au-
gust. 1856 About the same time they were
also extended TO Hawaii.
THE PILOTAGE DECISION.
What is known as the pilotase case. which
was argued by ex-senator Lindsay, OF Ken
lucky, was friendly litigation brought to test
the legality of these extensions of the shipping
laws The Supreme Court sustained the Presi-
dents act and it is thought that there Will
be a demand extend the regulations to the
Philippines in pursuance of the courts man
date. Shipping men say this would be a seri-
Gus blow TO American shipping. and hence it is
considered proba bic that if the demand is made
some adequate method will be devised for evad-
ing IT, II is contended that the country is not
yet ready to include the distant Philippines In
it's coastwise trade and to confer on that far
removed archipelago the benefits Of the Ameri-
can navigation laws. Still, the question is
not vet very we'll understood, ii is likely that
little VIII he heard about 1t until Congress
takes hold of II and enacts the necessary legis-
lation.
While il is virtually settled that no suhstan-
tial change in the governments Philippine pro-
gramme is contemplated. yet there Is hke-
lhood that this will form the chief topic of con-
sideration at the first meeting Of the Cabinet
after the Presidents return 10 the city As
the first regular Cabinet day does not come
until next Tuesday, it is thought that the minds
Of the President and his official advisers Will
he pretty we'll made up on the subject before II
is taken up for formal discussion. Attorney
General Knox is known to be carefully study
ing the various confusing and somewhat con
Trajectory expressions used by both factions OF
the justices of the De Lima and the Downes
decisions with the view of preparing an opinion
for submission to the Cabinet to the powers
10 the President by constitutional warrant as
we'll as the -pecial grant Of power vested in the
executive by the Spooner resolution. 1t is re-
garded. therefore, as reasonable assumption
that definite and authoritative announcement OF
the governments Philippine policy TO he pur-
sued until Congress passes special legislation
for the archipelago will be made after the
Cabinet meets next week
EXTRA SESSION UNNECESSARY.
Secretary Root seems to have very clear idea
as to what that policy will be. which is that
there will be no change of programme in ad-
ministering the Philippines. either as TO the
date of the establishment OF civil for military
rule on July l. or as To the PRONUNCIATION of
tariff schedule for the islands. This means
that apparently there is absolutely no reason TO
think at present that the failure OF the SUI
preme Court to render a decision in the Philip
pine case makes an extra session of Congress
necessary. All danger on that point was passed
when the Republican leaders in the Senate in
duced the Democrats in the closing days of the
last Congress TO filibuster against the
Spooner resolution. Secretary Root said to-day
that all talk of extra session 10 legislate
for the Philippines absurd. because there
were tariff questions 10 deal with, as the
duties shipments from the Philippines. just
as is being done. If the Supreme Court
finally declares these collections to be Illegal.
the money will be refunded 70 the importers.
The Secretary is quoted declaring that he
regards this a safer and less expensive course
than the calling of an extra session. Besides. if
Congress should attempt to legislate before the
Supreme Court passes the Philippine case,
the lawmakers would be compelled to act large
ly in the dark.