Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-01-04
WANTCOASTW|SELAWS
EXTENDED TO PHILIPPINES
FOR AMERICAN TRADE
Harold Sewall at Work for American
Hawaiian Interests Effect Of
Treaty With Spain on
Legislation.

Washington, Dec. 26. - Senator
Lodge said today that until the Phil.
ippines were further along toward self.
support there would have to be tariff
between the islands and the United
States, the proceeds of which would
GO to the islands.
lie expressed the opinion that the
Philippines tariff bill as passed by the
House would be passed by the Senate,
with a possible amendment relating to
COastwise navigation.
In spite of Senator Lodges state.
ment there is such strong agitation
ioI a reduced tariff between the Unit.
ed States and the Philippines that the
Senate may cut down the Payne bill.
Shipping men, sugar and tobacco men
and holders of concessions in the Phil
iIpines are all bombarding the Sena.
tors with letters and kilograms urging
a reduced tariff. There Is also quite
n strong sentiment among certain
newspapers for free trade, or lat least,
low tariff. Among these is the New
York Tribune, which advocates free
trade with the islands, on the ground
that increased business will soon make
up for the reduced revenues, besides
powerfully aiding in pacihcation OF tho
islands Therefore, while the House
bill is undoubtedly favored by the Ad
ministration. there is no certainty that
1t will go through the Senate without
radical change.
There Is no objection in the Senate
to applying coastwise laws to the
Philippines, providing care Is taken
not TO violate the treaty Of Paris. Har
old Sewall, former Minister to Hawaii,
who has inherited his fathers big ship.
ping interests, and who IL also inter.
oSted in the American. Hawaiian line,
has been urging the application of the
coastwisc laws to the Philippines. Ho
spoke to a number of Senators on tho
subject and found no objection. Ito
was advised. however. to consult with
Senator Frye who was a member OF
the Peace Conference, and would be
in a position to know how best to
frame a bill to extend the coastwise
regulations without violating the trea.
~ with Spain. There has been some
talk among the Senators on the sub.
jeCt, and the conclusion has practical
ly been reached that an amendment
will be offered providing ior the extern.
ta'AA VI NllN NpuoNNlot laws W inc KUN
ippincs on January /, 1903, with the
provision that article of the treaty
ol Paris shall be added This article
gives Spanish ships and merchandise
the same rights as our own in the
Philippines.
Some Of the Senators have come
TO me- said Senator Perkins today,
thinking | was acquainted with nau.
tiCal matters. | want to see the coast
wise laws extended, but shall not In.
uCduce bill to that effect without
taking cognizance Of the treaty with
spain, as that would be an attempted
violation Of the treaty. In extending
the coastwise laws we must admit
Spain into the commerce OF the islands
on the same terms as our own ships.
This means practically an open door,
FOR this reason: Under Spanish law
any ship may be documented under
the Spanish flag in conformity with
easy regulations. Therefore, in case
any English, French German or Nor
wegian shipowner cares to go into
the Philippine trade he can do so .y
merely placing his vessel under tho
Spanish flag. II has been claimed
that Spanish ships under article 4 OF
the treaty could not trade between the
United States and the Philippines II
We applied the Coastwise laws. | can.
not accept this view. The language
Of the treaty is too plain to be misun.
derstood Under II Spanish ships may
lead cargOes at San Francisco for Ma.
Mia. whether we apply the coastwise
laws or not. You may be sure that
the Senate will scrupulously observe
the spirit and letter of the treaty. We
gave Spain this special privilege in
bargaining for the islands, and now
We must live up to 1t. We must let all
Spanish ships in on the same terms as
our own, whether such ships are own
cd In England, Germany or anywhere
else. So long as they are authenticat,
ed Spanish ships we cannot go behind
the record. Therefore. whether we
apply the coastwise laws or not. fear
we must face the open door in the
Philippines for ten years"
TO CURE a col ID IN ONE nav