New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL.
SPEECHES OF SENATOR'S LODGE AND
RAWLINS on THE PHILIP
PINE QUESTION.

Washington Jan. G.-After the routine business
n the Senate to-day Senator Lodge took the moor
70 speak the Philippine tariff bill He said that
the rights OF the United States in the Philippine
Islands were settled. Mr.. Lodge briefly reviewed
the past method OF the government Of the Philip
pines by the United States. and then took up the
recent Supreme Court decision. holding the Philip
pines TO be domestic territory and all duties levied
articles imported into the United States from
the islands void There was, he said, doubt whether
the tariff adopted for the islands themselves would
stand without further action Of Congress. Under
the Supreme Court decision there was. however,
doubt OF the right of Congress to act
Mr.. Lodge called attention to the necessity OF
:oastwise legislation for the islands under the de-
cisions Of the Supreme Court He said that the
tariff as fixed by the Philippine Commission had
been established only after the most careful In
vestigations covering several months. and it was
obvious to the committees of the two houses that
they could not hope TO improve that act To
discriminate in favor OF the United States on
products going TO the Philippines would diminish
the revenues and would break down the open door
policy. The United States had by its firmness and
It's excellent diplomacy accomplished the establish
Of that policy in China, and China would for
years be the most important market for products
Of the United States.
TARIFF REDUCTION EXPLAINED.
He explained the Senate committees reduction
OF the Dingley rates to the extent of % per cent
saying mat the committee nad not 1elt IL wise TO
make further reduction. The exaction OF the re-
naming duty could not be considered onerous in
view Of the fact that all the moneys thus collected
would be returned to the Philippines.
Mr.. Lodge said that the removal Of the export
duties did affect the open door policy If II did
he would oppose IL. Nor could the policy give
offence TO Spain under the treaty between that
country and the United States. He defended the
free Importation of hemp in the interest of the
agricultural implement makers
Mr. Spooner asked II the policy Of refunding the
export tax hemp would not cause all the hemp
grown in the Philippines to be brought to the
The entire revenue from that source
AIR. Lodge answered that the provision applied
tny 10 hemp "for use in the United States" The
regulation OF that matter would have to be left to
The Treasury Department but he would be willing
io amend the bill TO relieve IL OF this possi
aity. He said IN reply to Senator Foraker that
uuty hemp would apply 10 all other articles
orgnsting In the Philippines
an reply to Mr.. Bacon Mr.. Lodge said that the
var Department had had TO meet an exlgency In
issuing order temporarily authorizing all vessels
p engage in the coastwise trade OF the Philippines
10 have failed do this would have wrecked the
commerce of the islands and although the order
night not have been authorized by law II was JUS
ahec by the circumstances and by the certainty OF
speedy action by Congress.
.. speaking general lines, Mr.. Lodge said that
ne ene Philippine Islands were prosperous. and he
saoted circular letter to German exporters in
t.pport OF this proposition. II also set torth
~ @lst SPANS commercial prestige is being displaced
- iat or the United States. He had no desire to
~ ono the present situation The minority pro-
.tsbnos 70 leave They also made large prom
es lot the future. His mind was certainly clear
sstrow wnst we should do with the Philippines in the
''e' but he would never willingly agree to put
Continued third page.