The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-02-01
TAFT PHILIPPINES
SECRETARY OUTLINES POLICY FOR
ISLANDS.
wants Free Trade or at Least Sub.
stantlal Reduction In Tariff.
when Ready They Should Dc
Granted Self Government and
Freedom II People Desire u.

UVOSVVtut ~ VCOVsC VSSUC So
Washington, Jan. 3O.-Secretary
Taft made an argument 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 Uni
ted States, thereby imposing a sacred
trust on this government. IL is our
duty to establish and maintain the
best possible conditions there.
Certainly" he said, ''the present
status Of the islands, 90 far as our le-
lations to them are concerned, will re.
main the same throughout the next
generation, and probably longer"
With this in view, he maintained,
1t would be as just to establish tariff
between the states Of Ohio and PEN
nsylvania as between the United States
and the Philippines. Ultimate free
trade would have to come in the end
between the islands and the United
States.
Secretary Taft asserted warmly that
congress had already enacted law
which was eminently unfair to the
islands.
"You ha. 70 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
representatives or the senate can i'm
pose ON these people a domestic policy
with reference to the carrying of goods,
and yet withhold the opportunity Of
markets for these goods.
Have Right to Free Trade.
mo. sir, am not willing to admit
1t. do not think that congress will
be 80 unjust, and these people here
representing special interests may as
we'll 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 on this
point.
Representative Williams, the minor.
ity floor leader, asked the secretary il
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.
~ doubt il they everv reach the self
governing capacity Of the Americans"
the secretary replied.
"Well," asserted Mr.. Williams,
'there il not go 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-
tically it. Whenever they reach the
condition where they have reasona-
le public sentiment which may be re-
liedupon to restrain radicalism, when
interisland communication has been
tablished, and when conditions gen.
orally have become settled-then, If
they desire independence, give it to
them. II they do Motif they desire
bond which might become sweet by
coming inside our tariff wall, that
might be considered
MIR. Willianms-Even then You
would ankle them q self governing col.
ony?
Secretary Taft-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Williams remarked that the Re-
publioan position at first was that we
were to keep the islands forever.
Secretary Taft discussed the island
industries and said there was no dan
ger whatever that either sugar or to-
bacco from the Philippines will
''swamp" or even figure in the mar
kets of this country.
Secretary Taft referred to reports
that he was willing to compromise on
a 25 per cent reduction.
No injury BY Free Trade.
II am willing" be added, Ito COM
prvomise on anything in the way OF
reduction If I can't get all. This on
the theory that we are coming ulti-
mately to free trade with the archipel-
ago, and every step in that direction is
going to teach these timorous sugar
and tobacco gentlemen that they are
not going to be injured by that fact"
Name Is Changed.
Mowkavn Tav ~iki.ova ~