Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24
MANILA OPIUM BILL
ITS OPPONENTS APPEAL TO PRES.
IDENT ROOSEVELT.
Address by Governor Taft Followed
BY Withdrawal Of Measure
Newspaper Opposition.

Inc Manila newspapers which have lust
reached Washington give many columns
OF space to an address made by Governor
William H. Taft on the opium bill It In
termed funeral grafton, for, although
Governor Taft has heretofore been ac-
counted favorable to the BILL the address
was followed by withdrawal.
The Manila newspapers have been stead
lily opposed to the bill, and some time ago
the American, Times and Freedom united
In cablegram to President Roosevelt.
reading:
Roosevelt, President Washington
Millions in revenue will not pay for
debauchment Philippines by opium monop-
oily. Proposed action commission will in
crease and spread use opium among Chi
nese' natives. Americans. Proposition
opposed by newspapers. clergy, business
men. Chinese chamber of commerce and
oven 10000 Chinese petition against bill
proposition indefensible as licensed prosti-
tuition; immoral, impoltic, unnecessary,
dangerous VIII curse administration, i'm
pair American prestige. smirch national
reputation. We appeal to you to save
islands from multiplied evils engendered by
opium monopoly. Save us from disgrace
ana degeneration that is certain to ensue
we appeal to you and through you to our
country for deliverance from the injury.
insult and infamy certain to be foisted
upon US through the establishment of an
opium monopoly
The Governors Address.
In his address before the commission,
Governor Taft said of the opposition to the
measure: II know that the members of
the Evangelical Union, that Bishop Brent,
and other American clergymen in these
islands are opposed to it, and 1 have the
very greatest Difference for their judg-
ment on every question. AS to the other
Americans do not think 1 can say we
are now advised as to their opinion on the
subject. The three newspapers sent a tel
egram which characterised the bill in terms
which could hardly be called fair or tenn
perate." He made 1t plain that he thought
the proposed legislation would be beneficial,
although, perhaps, not at this time de-
sirable.
Last Act Of Drama.
Speaking of the failure of the opium bill
the Manila American says editorially: The
public session of the commission for fur
Their discussion of the opium bill was the
last act Of a drama that, in all probability.
will have no renaissance. A committee.
which, without disrespect, may be termed
the smelling committee, will be APP
pointed, will make investigation, and rem
der it's report. In the meantime public
opinion in the states will have crystallized
and then the project will be deader than
dead Hector. In his funeral Grafton in
honor of the diseased Governor Taft, as
was to be expected, lifted the discussion
from the plane of utter banality that has
characterized the remarks of the friends
of the proposed measure and gave it a
dignity that it has heretofore lacked. Every
good point that could be made was
given prominence and it was all done in
the style of which he is past master. The
American congratulates the American peo-
1t
bleak November of next year Mr.. Roosevelt
comes to count his jewels he will find them
much more plentiful than they would have
been had the bill become law. Then, in
truth, the despised and condemned oppo-
nents of the bill will have the satisfaction
that comes from the knowledge that their
labors counted. though they were decried
and never will be acknowledged