The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-03
CURTIS NOT READY
Says 1t Is Too Early to An
nOunce Senatorial Candidacy.
Tells About Experiences in the
Philippines.
NO FREE TRADE NOW
Thinks Islanders Don't Want
Independence.
Had Not Heard of Sultan of
Sulu's Proposal.

Congressman Charles Curtis re-
turned today from his trip to the
Philippines. after an absence from
this country dating from July s.
He brought back with him a coli
lection Of many interesting curios
from all parts Of the Philippines, and
from the parts of China and Japan
reached by the expedition: also a vast
amount OF interesting and Instructive
information about the condition of
the Philippines.
Are you ready to announce your
candidacy for the senate 90 was asked.
mot yet. said Mr.. Curtis. II think
it is too early"
What do you think about the nom
inalion of a senatorial candidate by
the state convention 90
Il have always been in favor Of the
election of the senator by the direct
vote of the people, replied 4r. Curtis.
Nomination by the convention would
be the next best thing. But leaving
my personal desires entirely out of the
question, ] would say this, that the
Republican party should consider the
question well before deciding to make
a nomination in this way This ex-
pertinent was tried once, and in my
opinion it contributed largely toward
our loss OF the legislature. / say the
party should go slow, and not act
hastily about q nomination of United
States senator by the regular state
convention
Mr.. curtis viii be in Topeka about
month before returning to WASH
- No Free Trade Untii 1903.
Mr. Curtis has not come back con-
vinced that there should be free trade
between the islands and the United
States.
''The treaty. Of peace with Spain. =
saws Mr.. Curtis. provided that what
ever trade arrangements entered into
between the United States and the
Philippines during the ten years fol-
Loving the war should also extend 10
Spain Consequently. if We give free
trade between the islands and tire
United States, Spain will get the same
advantage. The prospect for free
trade IS therefore very slight until
1909.
'.'This Philippine group is q vast un-
Developed country, Immensely rich.
There are 73,000,00O acres or land
and p millions of people. OIsfy l3--
100000 acres of the land is owned
bv the people The rest is the prop
ertv of the government. All the is
lands except LuzOn are practically un-
settled. Personally think MIN
danao the richest of the entire group
Congress has ruled that no person
shall be allowed to homestead more
than 40 acres of land, and that no
company shall be allowed to purchase
more than $500 acres. It is necessary
that these laws shOulb Nbe changed,
and that the same homestead laws
made to apply to the Philippines that
apply to this country. Forty acres Is
not enough for an American farmer
he can't make a living on it. And 2
500 acres is not enough for a big
sugar planting company
svThere is not much sentiment for
independence About 200 people in
Manila represent the whole strength
of that element. Out of that 200 there
are 20 well educated young men who
are leaders.
4.Take out those twenty men and there
would be no talk about independence.
The conservative merchants don't want
independence.
500 600 Children in School.
HThe most striking phenomenon is
the great eagerness of the people to at
tend the English schools. There are
500, 600 children attending school and
learning English. Acommon language IS
the great need of the island, and the
English schools are supplying that need.
In Manila there are 10000 young men
attending night schools.
Until the ten-year period have re-
ferred to expires. American manufac-
turers viii have to hustle and get their
goods in there in competition with the
French German and British agents,
who now hold the field. The tobacco
and sugar interests are especially de-
sirous to have their products admitted
to this country free. President Roose-
welt in his last message recommended a
25 per cent tariff and I introduced a bill
providing for such tariff What the
president will recommend in his next
message remains to be seen
SpoiIs a Good Story.
Asked concerning the stories about
Alice Roosevelt and the Sultan of Sulu.
Mr. Curtis said:
I'VE didn't hear anything about that
story until we got back to the United
States. People over here, it seems,
knew more about what was going on