The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-28
Secretary Taft Before Ways
and Means COMMITTEES.
Make Argument In Favor of
the Philippines Bill.
WARNS REPUBLICANS
That American People Will Not
Submit to Injustice
In the Policy Pursued Toward
the Archipelago.

Washington. Jan. 2s.-Secretary Taft
made an argument today before the
house committee on ways and means in
favor of the Curtis bill reducing the
duty on sugar and tobacco from the
Philippines. He contended that as the
Philippines belong to the United States
thereby imposing a sacred trust on this
government it is our duty to establish
and maintain the best possible condi-
tions there. Certainly" he said. 1.-The
present status of the islands so far as
our relations to them are concerned,
will remain the same throughout the
next generation and probably longer
With this in view, he maintained, it
would be as just to establish a tariff
between the states of Ohio and Penn
sylvania as between the United States
and the Philippines. Ultimate free
trade would have to come between the
island and the United States
Secretary Taft asserted warmly that
congress had already enacted a meas
ure which was eninently unfair to the
you have declared that in 1906,
American bottoms shall carry every
thing that is shipped between the Uni>
ted States and Philippines both ways.
Is it possible that the house of repre-
sentatiVes or the senate can impose on
these peoples domestic policy with ref
erence to the carrying of goods and yet
withhold the opportunity of markets
for these goods2
mo, sir, 1 am not willing to admit it.
I do not think congress will be so un-
just and these people here representing
special interests may as well put their
houses in order. The American people
are not going to allow Interference with
the policy that is going to do this coun-
try honor"
This policy. Secretary Taft said was
settled at the last election The Demo-
cratic members of the committee might
not agree with him on this point.
Mr.. Williams, (Miss.) the minority
floor leader, asked the secretary if it
was not the Republican policy to give
the islands ultimate independence. The
secretary affirmed this, stating that
such would be the case when the peo-
pie of the Islands were capabfe of salf
government. ~
self government as the American
understands or as the Filipino under
stands it2" asked Mr. Williams
Il doubt if they ever reach the self
governing capacity of the Americans,
the secretary replied
We'll" asserted Mr. Williams, there
is not horrible much difference be-
tween you and the Democrats You be-
lieve in granting self government when
the people are ready and we believe in
fixing n date for their independence
Secretary Taft-Yes, that is practical
ly it Whenever they reach the condition
where they have a reasonable public
opinion which may be relied upon to re-
strain radicalism when interisland
communication has been established
and when conditions generally have be-
come settled-then if they desire inde-
pendence, give it to them If they do
motif they desire a bond which might
become sweet by coming inside our tar
iff wall that might be considered
Mr. Williams-Even then you would
make them a self governing colony?
Secretary Taft-Yes, sir
I~xa6 hot 7ca
publican position at first was that we
were to keep the islands forever