The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-02
SENATOR LONG HOME.
Says a Reduction in Tariff for Islands
Probable.

Hutchinson, Kan, Oct. 2.-Senator
Chester I. Long arrived here Sunday on
his way from the PHILIPPINES, where he
went with the Taft party to his home
at Medicine Lodge. Senator Long is
looking as Wen or better than when he
went away, and says that although the
trip was hard one, as a visit to
tropical country in midsummer might
be expected, he is feeling fine and will
go back to his congressional IaborS
strengthened and refreshed. 7 shall go
on to Medicine Lodge today" the sena-
tor said, and Will remain in the state
the remainder of the month Mrs. Long
has already gone to Washington to puI
her there about the first of November.
1 expect to go around the state consid-
erably during this month. as is my
custom always before returning to
Washington, to give people who wish to
consult with me about legislation and
other matters an opportunity to do So.
Mr.. Long declined to talk about the
federal appointments, which will de-
mand share Of his remaining time in
the state, but willingly discussed his
trip to the Orient. He denied the ca
bIed reports that the Taft party had
promised free trade to the Philippines
but stated that he looked for the pass
age of a bill by congress reducing the
duties on Philippine impOrtations.
Manila Improved.
THE trip was a profitable one, he
said. The members of the Taft party
greatly increased their KNOWLEDGE of
affairs in the Philippines and in Japan
and China. Manila, of course, shows
the most marked effects of American
occupation. The results in sanitation,
street paving, street cars and like re-
spects are very noticeable and no one
can visit there without being deeply
impressed with the benefits of Ameri-
can occupation. In other parts of the
archipelago the benefits are not SO ap-
parent, except in the matter of schools.
Along educational lines we have done
wonderful things for the Philippines.
The children are being taught the Eng
lish language and take great interest
in this and the other studies. In edu-
cation and in other lines with which The
government has had directly to do.
marked progress is shown. 1t is in the
lines of private endeavor that there has
been less advancement.
1T should be remembered that the
Philippines during the last decade have
been peculiarly unfortunate. First,
there was the instruction during the
| Spanish rule, beginning baek in 1896
/ Then came our war. Combined with
! these have been a series of droughts,
| cattle plague and other misfOrtunes
/ that have retarded their growth mater
! tally. The people of Kansas and eS-
/ pecially those of the western part who
/ were here in the years from 1890 TO
| 1895 ought to be able to appreciate
| and synapathize with the Filipinos for
/ they have had a series of misfortunes
! similar to those that have made those
years so black for us, only in some
/ what different way.
american capital continued Mr..
Long, has yet done little for the Phil
/ ippines. Capital hasn't been attracted
/ there because the conditions have not
/ been favorable This led the senator
/ into a discussion of Americas CONNER
cial relations with the islands, and
i coming from a member of the Senate
committee on the Philippines his re-
marks are significant. After denying
that the Philippines had been promised
free trade by members of the Taft
party, he went on:
Reduction on Duties.
However. I look for a substantial
reduction on the duties on importa-
tons from the islands, especially on
sugar and tobacco. At least 1 shall
vote and work for such a bill. There
win be a fight on the question in con-
gress this winter, but believe the out
in the duties on these staples. There
may be free trade in some articles