New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-20
I MISSION FOE TIE ANTIS.

The college professors and editors who are so
deepIy concerned for the welfare Of the Fill
pinos that they want offhand 10 settle what
their situation is 10 be some twenty years hence
should take 10 heart the appeal made at the
Chamber of Commerce dinner by Secretary
Taft for missionary work directed to the I'M
mediate needs of the Filipinos Certainly. II
they sincerely care much about our wards as
their letters and resolutions proclaim. they will
be ready in good faith TO help the country TO do
its present duty without emphasizing unneces-
sarily divergence of views among friends of the
FilipnoS as to the proper ultimate status of the
islands, using the campaign in behalf OF the
islands as a weapon of domestic political war
fare. Secretary Taft says that the Filipinos
when fitted for ii. may want absolute indie
pendence. may prefer such connection as
exists between Canada and England. There is
no need 10 decide that question yet But he de-
clares:
What wish now is that these gentlemen. so
called anti-imperialists who are anxious
should come down il a delegation to hold up my
hands in trying to induce Congress TO reduce
that tariff. to hold up my hands In trying to put
through Congress the acts which are necessary
for the development of that country out there by
the construction of railroads and by the issu-
ing of bonds which shall enable us TO make them
a civilized people.
That is an appeal which ought 10 awaken the
interest of every friend of the Fipinos. We
are confronted by present problem respecting
their welfare. 1t IS always difficult to secure
from Congress legislation Of n general character
for which no powerful interest in any State is
enlisted. That is the defect of our system, which
tends 10 make Congressional opinion an aggre-
CATION of local views instead of giving 1t a
broad national outlook No person party
is 10 blame for this. 1t is of the inevitable
handicaps of American craftsmanship. If the
anti-imperialists. accepting that fact, will, in
stead OF accusing everybody in power for not
securing the needed legislation cooperate sane
ly 10 secure II. they will the Iflipinos bet
ter than by diverting attention TO an academic
question which may be of some practical impOr-
lance twenty years hence.
Now. there are several ways OF working for
this tariff reduction on Philippine products. The
choice depends on the real purpose OF the
worker. He can, for instance denounce the
present schedules as 4 part of the "iniQuity'' OF
protection, represent the party in power
wishing 10 sacrifice the Filipinos 10 the greed
Of few sugar and tobacco growers and in gen
eral strive 10 make the unfortunate difficulty of
modifying the law an ocCa sion for discrediting
the Republican party and policy. That IS the
course that VIII be taken by those whose friend
ship for the Filipnos is merely pretext for po-
litical opposition 10 the Republicans. Those
who simply seize upon the needs OF the Philip
pines as political asset for q free trade propa-
ganda or antrRepublican campaign will do
their best TO prejudice the party in power
against a demand thus unfairly urged as an
act Of enmity, and so make relief Of the Fill
pinos more difficult. Those who like Secre-
'ary Taft, are sincerely DESTROYS of shaping all
our measures affecting the Philippines 10 pro-
mote their welfare will strive IN n different
spirit. They will seek TO divorce this question
Of free entry for Philippine products from all
ccntroverted matters Of domestic and party
politics. They will present It TO Congressman
as subject which, whether free traders or
protectionists, Republicans or Democrats, they
can without sacrifice of principle take I'D and
deal with generously and 10 the practical nd
vantage Of both the Philippines and the United
States. Here is an opportunity 10 do good
How many Of The critics OF the present sItna-
lion care moro for the Filipinos than for the
chance 10 be critical?