The Washington times., 1905-10-25

in the islands. of which about 1.0oo miles
are already assured, and for which con-
tracts will be let soon after Congress
convenes It Is pointed out with much
reasonabieness that II Is worse than
folly for this country to use its credit
TO develop the commercial possibilities
of the islands when IL Is enforcing
tariff policy which win make II utterly
impossible for The United States to get
the benefits OF that commerce
Believe in Their Argument.
On this point the advocates Of freer
trade believe their argument Is un-
answerable. They say it would be just
as sensible for the United States to
build railroads in China. with the
money of the United States and the
credit of the American government, and
| then permit China to return to its old
policy OF absolute commercial isolation
A period of great agricultural and COM
merctal development is confidently ex-
pected by those who are most familiar
with conditions in the islands to be
synchronous with the opening of the
new railroad system.
Indeed, there is reason for the belief
that the friends OF free trade with the
islands have felt from the beginning
| that the policy OF building railroads
| there would. in the near future, bring
| about n situation in which Ii would
be impossible for. Congress long to re-
| fuse 10 recognize the demands for free
trade. or, az least, reduction or Ding
ley schedules.
Great interest was taken in this coun-
try in speech of Secretary Taft before
a rep-esentative Philippine Assem- bIy
in the course Of the dinner given in
his honor in August. while he was in
the islands. The declaration was that
the present policy ana present rela-
tions would be maintained and that
the sovereignty OF the United States
must be absolute. las an instrument of
the gradual education and elevation OF
This WAS a very pointed intimation
20 the Philippines that their hopes for
self-government at an early date were
msnt was received with appreciation
by those who heard Il and among the
intelligent classes in the island there
has been no serious criticism or d!ssat-
isfaction as result or it,
For Higher Civilization.
Those who believe the United States
should come closer 10 the Philippine
people In a commercial way urged that
American policies with reference tc
education. and also the plan of extend
ing TO the Philippines the largest pos
sible and practical measure of 'partici-
patton in their own government, are
certain before many years TO develop a
very high civilization and a much more
extensive and productive commerce ii
the islands. These urged that no more
unenlightened policy would be pursued
than that OF educating and developing
the Philippine people, supplying then
with good government, with good roads
with railroads. with capital for theil
agricultural induStries-and then shut
, ting ourselves out of participation II
the commercial benefits which thes'
| things must necessarily bring.
This, In brief. is the view of th'
Philippine tariff situation attributed 4
the men who are most interested Ii
| furthering better relations 1t is tn
view that will be urged in and out o
Congress. There is growing belle
that Secretary Taft's visit to the isla nds
during the summer will result In a yer,
considerable and early shifting OF sen