The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-24
Who Contended 1t Would Be Disad-
vantageOus to Retain the
Philippine Islands.
CHINA'S DRAGON A SPECTRE
WITH WHICH MIR. DUBOIS WOULD
BRIGHTEN AMERICANS.
Indiana's Junior Senator of Opinion
the Philippines VIII Tend to
Develop Our Exports.

WASHINGTON, May "a temperate
and carefully prepared speech was deliv-
cred in the Senate to-day on the Philippine
bill by Mr.. Dubois, of Idaho He confined
himself almost entirely to a discussion of
the commercial and industrial aspects of
the Philippine question, his purpose being
to show that it would be a disadvantage
to the people of this country to retain the
islands. Whatever of profit there might
be in them, he said, would accrue to few
capitalists. who, by their development of
the resources of the archipelago through
cheap labor, would come into competition
with the agriculturists and manufacturers
of the United States in the markets of the
world. This governments activity in the
Philippines, also, would serve to arouse
China from her lethargy and, once aroused
the dragon would devour the trade of the
world. THE dragon is sleeping quietly
now" said Mr.. Dubois. 1.-The monster is
inert, surrounded with a conservatism of
centuries. Looking to the interest of the
white laboring race OF the world, are we
pursuing a wise course in awakening this
sleeping dargon?'
Mr.. Dubois believed there was no hope
of profitable trade relations with the Orient
or the Philippines if the islands were man
aged and exploited as contemplated in the
pending bill. A few individuals might reap
a profit, but it would be at an enormous
expense to the United States, and especial
ly to the laborers. the manufacturers and
the farmers. Mr.. Dubois declared that
feature Of the bill which permitted corpora
lions TO take up 5000 acres of land in the
Philippines for agricultural purposes ought
to be stricken out, he believing that under
1t the richest lands ultimately would fall
into the hands of great syndicates, thus
encouraging a tremendous production of
cane sugar, cotton and tobacco. Agricul-
tural development would induce industrial
activity, and manufacturing establishments
would spring up and compete with us not
only for the trade of the islands, but also
for China and the Straits Settlement, and
eventually. owing to cheap labor, would
compete with our manufactured goods in
all parts of the world.
The total trade of the United States with
the Philippine islands, he said, was about
So. 0OO, 900 a year We had spent more money
in the Philippine war than all the trade
of the islands with the United States would
amount TO in $50 years, and every day we
remained in the islands our loss would be
increased. Mr.. Dubois asserted that within
six months after Arizona, New Mexico and
Oklahoma were admitted to statehood the
profit to the manufacturers of the United
new States would be greater than the COM
bined profits on all of their trade with the
Philippines and other Oriental countries.
Mr.. BEvERIDGE'S REPLY.
Mr.. Beverage declared that the whole
argument of the Idaho senator had been
made for the purpose of frightening the
American people with the dragon of China
Mr.. Dubois had maintained that when
China had adopted modern methods in the
development of it's resources it would sup
ply not only its own needs, but those of
the world. If that were true, Mr. Bever-
idge held, then it would be true that the
United States ought not to encourage the
development of any country. He urged that
that was not true. Germany, for instance
had developed enormously both industrially
and commercially, yet steadily the exports
of the United States to Germany had in
creased. Our exports had increased most
rapidly to those countries in which internal
development was increasing, as thereby
the people of those countries were the bet
ter able TO purchase from the United
States. Japan had had recently wonder
full development. and along with that de-
velopment our exports had increased from
about 100000 a year to more than s29,-
100000 year. This would be true of China
The exports to China from outside coun-
tries amounted to about $3.50 100000 a year
and he believed that il would be possible
easily for the United States to secure one
half of that trade. The Philippines, he
maintained. were door to the Chinese
trade.
Mr.. Beverage said that Great Britain
sold to her dependencies each year products
amounting TO $500, 900, and he felt that
that sort of trade was worth striving for.
Mr.. Carmack pointed out that Great
Britains trade had been declining, while
that of the United States had constantly
been increasing.
Admitting that fact, Mr. Beveridge said
the reason for 1t was that Great Britain,
having long enjoyed monopoly of the ex-
port trade to her dependencies, had grown
careless and other nations-the United
States and Germany-more active and en-
ergetic and enterprising, slowly had been
undermining England's foreign trade.
Are We TO Judge from the senator's ar
gument, inquired Mr.. Carmack, that we
are to enter upon a policy of holding
colonial possessions?"
THAT question is not before the Senate
or before the American people, replied
Mr.. Beverage. "If It ever shall be the Re
publican party will answer it as effectively
and as satisfactorily as it always has an
swered important questions"
SPOONER NAILS CARMACK.
Mr.. Carmack having intimated that the
treaty with Spain had been ratified because
the controlling powers had put the dollar
above every other interest, Mr.. Spooner
denied that in ratifying the Paris treaty
the Senate had even attempted 10 reduce
the Philippine situation to the standard of
the dollar. Mr.. Carmack. he said, was not
in the Senate at that time
Il know what is in the record" retorted
Mr.. Carmack. And / know that the then
secretary of the treasury said there was
good deal of selfishness in the transaction"
THAT is merely the opinion of an individ-
ual." suggested Mr.. Spooner.
Mr.. Hoar inquired of Mr.. Beveridge if
Great Britain had a larger export trade
with her dependencies or with free nations
Mr.. Beverage replied that the trade was
greater with free nations" because only
of the lower consuming power of the de-
tendencies.
tended that if Governor Taft should die or
other members of the present able Philip.
pine commission should pass away, II
would be difficult to supply their places
with equally excellent and patriotic men.
Mr.. Beverdge said: There is another
few days. Leonard Wood is another Taft
He meets all the requirements OF a great
administrative officer" He mentioned also
Luke Wright a member of the Philippine
commission, as able TO take up the work
of Governor Taft if the latter should re-
linquish il. The American Nation was Inc
greatest reservoir of talent, OF ability. OF
brains, of energy and Of industry in the
world, and when any man fell by the way
side another equally as able was ready TO
take his place and do his duty in support of
his work and OF his government.
THE ARMY BILL
The army appropriation bill. with the
message from the House asking for a con-
ference. with instructions TO it's conferees
not 10 agree TO Senate amendments relaI-
ing 10 construction OF barracks and quar-
tiers at established military posts. thus
striking the for s,rh