The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-02-04
TAFT ONPHILIPP|NES.
ercVrTARY OUTLINES POLICY FOR
ISLANDS.
wants free Trade or at Least Sub
s,antisI Reduction In Tariff.
when Ready They Should Be
Granted Self Government and
9reedom If people Desire 1T.

Washington, Jan. S0.-Secretary
r.s. made an argument before the
t L committee on ways and means
uOr tovor of the Curtis bill reducing
~. ~ duty on sugar and tobacco from
W.. .ho philippines. He contended that
. .s the Philippines belong to the Uni
90, States. thereby imposing sacred
We. on this government. it ls our
s..v to establish and maintain the
p ~, nossible conditions there.
"Certainly," he said, 1.-THE present
-.o.ro If the islands, so far as our le-
'o.;ono to them are concerned, will re-
%oin the same throughout the next
noDorstion, and probably longer"
With this in view, he maintained,
:, would be as just to establish tariff
totween the states of Ohio and Pen
Usvlvsnia as between the United States
and the Philippines. Ultimate free
,roda would have to come in the end
botveen the islands and the United
States.
Secretary Taft asserted warmly that
congress had already enacted law
which was eminently unfair to the
islands
"You ,e declared that in 1905
American bottoms shall carry every
thing that is shipped between the
United States and the Philippines both
ways. Is it possible that the house OF
CONSERVATIVES or the senate can i'm
nose On these people domestic policy
with reference to the carrying of goods,
and yet withhold the opportunity of
markets for these goods.
Have Right to Free Trade.
Et'No, sir, am not willing to admit
it. do not think that congress will
be so unjust, and these people here
representing special interests may as
well put their houses in order. The
American people are not goinsg to al
low interference with the policy that
is going to do this country honor"
This policy, Secretary Taft said,
was settled at the last election. The
Democratic members of the committee
might not agree with him GA this
point.
representative Williams, the minor
ity 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
people of the islands were capable of
self government.
self government as the American
understands it, or as the Filipino un-
derstands it?" asked Mr.. Williams.
81 doubt if they every reach the self
governing capacity of the Americans, "
the secretary replied.
WELL" asserted Mr.. Williams,
there is not SO horrible much differ.
ence between you and the Democrats
You believe IN granting self govern.
ment when the people are ready, and
we believe in fixing date for the in
dependence.
independence When Ready.
Secretary Taft-Yes, that is prac.
ocally 1t. Whenever they reach the
condition where they have a reasona-
40 puohc sentiment which may be re.
ueoupon to restrain radicalism, when
'n'erlsland communication has been
os'aohshed, and when conditions gen.
orally have become settled-then, if
.n7y desire Independence, give it to
tnem If they do motif they desire a
Oonu winch might become sweet by
0ouing Inside our tariff wall, that
might be considered
Mr. Willianms-Even then you
ony?
secretary Taft-Yes, sir.
~ i Williams remarked that the Re-
puoi'can position at first was that we
"T,0 u Keep the islands forever.
secretary Taft discussed the island
Industries and said there was no dan.
Soa whatever that either sugar or to-
"a oUo from the Philippines will
swamp or even figure in the mar
Ae[s OF this country.
,h secretary Taft referred to reports
s1 os LIE was willing to compromise OF
20 per cent reduction.
NO injury by Free Trade.
rru dm Wiling" he added, "to com
tas ,omise on anything in the way Of 6
tb o.otlon II | can't get all. This or
me me- 'neory that we are coming ulti
'0ty TO free trade with the archipel
co. 49, ana every step in that direction il
sus e 10 teach these timorous sugar
NO. 'ooacco gentlemen that they are
N'' going to be injured by that fact. y
Lieu Lands Bill Approved.
n