Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-01-23
PHILIPPINE SUGAR TARIFF,

The Philippine tariff BILL reported 10
the Senate yesterday has caused much
rerplexity among Republican leaders
in their struggle TO reach a conclusion
that will advance the isiand industries
and cause no injury on the mainland.
On the one hand, the Philippine
Commission is making an urgent APP
peal for a reduction OF duties upon
goods-mported from the Islands into
the United States, and declaring that
lower rates OF duty are necessary to
promote trade between the mainland
and its insular possessions, and for the
material welfare Of the Archipelago
On the other hand, the sugar and to-
! bacco interests OF the United States are
protesting against any change in the
present rates. on the ground that It
will greatly injure these interests.
( The original Philippine tariff bill az
| T. passed the House last session fixed
the duties at so per cent OF the Ding
ley rates, but these were increased TO
| rs per cent In the Senate. In response
I to the urgent request of the Philippine
| Commission, the House early in De-
cember, without serious objection,
passed bill reducing the rates to 20
rer cent of the Dingley law. Now the
measure has been reported from the
Finance Committee of the Senate, and
the question finally to be decided IL,
whether Congress will yield to the
Philippine Commission or to the Amer
lean Interests concerned IN the reduc-
ton.
II Is patent to the Republican lead
ers that Gov. Taft's first concern is for
the welfare and prosperity Of the Phil
ippines. and that he is not taking into
consideration the effect which reduc-
ton of tariff rates will have upon the
sugar and tobacco interests of the
mainland.
They appreciate the fact that he is
charged with a great responsibility to
promote the material prosperity of the
Islands, and that much credit is due
him for the work he has already ac'
complished. and no criticism is duo
him for this. On the other hand, they
are obliged 10 consider the effect whicr
sweeping reduction Of the tarif
duties will have upon distinctly HON,
industries.
Vice Governor Wright, when he wal
before the Senate Philippine Commit
tee. made the statement that under tn,
proper and advanced methods of cul
tivation, such as would result will
American capital and enterprise. tn,
Philippine lands we're capable of pro
ducing five tons of cane sugar TO thu
acre, or an amount equal 10 the aver
age production OF the Hawaiian lands
and from two to three times as muci
rs can be raised in Louisiana or thu
beet sugar farms OF the West.
He estimated that there are 10000,
! 600 Of acres capable of being place,
u under cultivation. so that the Philip
pines might within a comparativel
short time supply the markets Of tn
world with sugar. To do this, how
: ever, II would be necessary to hav
- Oriental labor, as II is a well-estah
, lished fact that the average Filipin
" would not work 10 profit in the can
fields.
The Chinese Exclusion law prohibit
q the immigration OF Chinese into tn
= Philippines, but II places no restriC
! tons upon the japanese, who are abb
v 70 do the work as we'll.
u The Senate committee appears /
have endeavored to strike happy med
ium. All products other than suga
9 and tobacco are admitted to mainlan
l. markets free, while fifty per cent re
= duction is granted the chief products Q
II the Philippines. While protecting tn
n mainland industries 1t may be the pun
pose OF the bill to urge Philippine ae
riculturalists into a trial OF other pre-
r ducts that find an American marke
o Whether the Philippines can max
- money in sugar and tobacco under tn
n fifty per cent favor proposed depend
y largely on freight charges and the oil
= problem of labor.