The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-01
THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE
PHILIPPINES.

For the Republican party great deal
will depend on how the Philippines turn
out as financial investment If they
prove to be a mere sinkhole for Ameri-
can millions without adequate returns,
1t will go hard with the Republican party
at the next elections. The American peo-
pie are practical if anything, and the
hundreds of millions that are being
planted in the Philippines will have to
bring some kind of a harvest or they
will class the party, that does the plant
ing, with the lightning rod crook and the
gold brick man.
However the Republican party has
four years in which to secure results and
that time ought to suffice for a beginning
and to show what can be done. In the.
meantime the Democratic party should
give the administration full sway in all
measures that may reasonably be deemed
necessary for the development of these
islands. Senator Towne is quoted as say
ing that he would not be opposed to Civ
ing the administration the necessary
army for putting down the Filipino in
surrection This view is at once patriotic
and sensible. The people have decided
to retain these islands and hence they
must be pacified as soon as possible Any
action that would retard the establishing
of peace, law and order in the islands
would be treason to the will of the peo-
pie.
AT the same time Senator TONNES view
is the only sensible and practical one
from the Democratic standpoint If the
administration is allowed to have full
swing. any failure that may occur, can
not be blamed to Democratic obstruction.
The Democratic party must see to it
that, when the people come to balance
accounts four years hence, the entire re-
sponsibility will rest with the Republic
ans
Thus far the commercial value of the
Philippines is largely a matter of con-
fiieting reports, colored by the political
bias of the writer's. Among those who
take favorable view is Judge Taft, PIES
ident of the Philippine commission. Judge
Taft has had unusual opportunities for
studying conditions In the islands and
even granting that he would naturally
incline that way his opinions are still
entitled to serious consideration. InSa
recent letter TO friend he says:
81 have your letter, in which you in
dictate that in the campaign a strong
point is being made against the present
policy of the administration by dwelling
on the expense which these islands are
likely to be to the government. and the
very small return which the people are
likely to get out of them. With these ISL
andS completely pac1f1ed, they are far and
away the best possessions in the Orient
for purposes of, trade and development.
Their climate is better than the climate
of any tropical country know, and the
capacity for agricultural, mineral and
commercial development would seem to
be unlimited.
Even with the unsettled condition of
the country as it is. the tonnage of sfe
vessels coming into the harbor of Ma
Mia, excluding the government trans
ports, is double what it ever was in
Spanish times, and the same is true of.
the inter-island tonnage. With the con-
struction of roads and railroads through
these islands, the opportunities for de-
velopment cannot be exaggerated. These.
people are a people who take the lux
uries of life. enjoy good clothes and
Comforts ana q market among them Tor
cotton goods, for canned goods. for
-four. for petroleum and for machinery
can be created in a wonderfully short
time.
Zone of the things that is needed
here is the introduction of American
business methods. The establishment of
two or three large American business
houses here (retail and WHOLESALER car
rying into business the same methods
that prevail at home. would do won-
ders for the business standards of these
islands.
Let us hope that the judge is correct
in his opinion. To put 1t mildly. it would
be regrettable if it should turn out that
the American people had been buncoed
with a gold brick. However, the next
four years will demonstrate the facts
in the case and the result will be one of
the chief factors in determining the
next national election.
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