Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-28
SECY. TAFT'S POLICY
FOR PHILIPPINES.
First of All He Would Establish
Free Trade Relations
With Them.
THEN GIVE THEM INDEPENDENCE
When FilipiuOs Are Fitted For It--lf
Don't Desire II, Would Make
Them Self Governing Colony.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-Secy. 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-
lions there.
Certainly" he said, the present
status of the islands so far as our
relations to tacn are concerned. will
remain the same throughout the next
generation and probably longer"
With this In view, he maintained Il
would be as just to establish tariff
between the states OF Ohio and Penn
sylvania as between the United States
and the Philippines. Ultimate free
trade would have to come I'm the end
between the islands and the United
States. Secy Taft asserted warmly
that Congress had already enacted n
measure which was eminently unfair
10 the islands
You have declared that In 1906 AM
erican bottoms shall carry everything
that Is shipped between the United
States and the Philippines both ways,
Is 1t possible that the house of repre-
sentatives or the senate can impose
on these people a Democratic policy
with reference to the carrying of goods
and yet withhold the opportunity OF
markets for these goods2
No sir, | am not willing TO admit
II. | do not think Congress will be so
unjust and these people here represent
ing special interests may as well put
their houses in order. The American
people are not going TO allow inter-
ference with the policy that is going to
do this country honor"
This policy, Secy. Taft said, was set
tied 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 II II
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 We're capable Of self
government.
"Self-government as the American
understands II, or as the Filipino under
stands it?" asker MIR. Williams.
81 doubt II they will ever reach the
self-governing capacity Of the Amerl-
cans" the secretary replied.
We'll" asserted Mr.. Williams, there
Is not so 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 date for their independence"
Seoy Taft-Yes, that Ii practically H.
Whenever they reach the condition
where they have reasonable public
opinion which may b. relied upon TO
restrain radlcalism, when lnter-islaud
communication has been established
and when conditions generally have be-
come settled, then II they desire indie
pendence, give Il TO them, II they do
not, II they desire a bond which might
become sweet by coming inside our
tariff wall, that might be considered.
Mr.. Wnliams--Even then you would
make them a Safeguarding colOnyi
Secy Taft-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Williams remarked that the Re-
publican position at first was that we
were 10 keep the islands forever.