Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-24
JAPAN MAY GET THEM.

While the theory ere diled to Repre-
sentative Hull, that the United States
is likely to have to defend the Philip
pine Islands .against. Japan, is not re-
regarded seriously at Washington, the
possibility OF transfer of those islands
to Japan as the result of friendly nego-
tiation Is contemplated with equanimity
BY some of the leading men in Con-
gress.
That it would require a large navy to
defend the Philippines in case OF war is
commonly granted, and it is comprehen-
ded that Mr.. Hull is disposed to play
upon this known condition in the inter-
est of the navy. Some OF the more ex'
perienced men in Congress, however,
have been considering the question from
different point of view. Conservative
republican leaders believe that it is only a
question of time when the desirability. of
parting with the Philippines will be gene
rally recognized.
Two conditions are working TO this
conclusion. One is the conviction that
the possession of the islands will never
prove profitable. The other is an appre-
hension ofindustrial competition through
the necessity for free trade, or at least a
very low tariff between the United States
and these new possessions, with a proba-
bility of the general utilization Of cheap
Chinese labor for the development of
the Philippines.
The difficulty that Secretary Taft, act
ing for the administration, has encoun-
tered in trying to induce Congress to re-
duce the duty on sugar and tobacco
demonstrates that the protection:sts do not
intend that these islands shall ever enjoy
the advantage of unrestricted trade with
the United States.
The tobacco interests and the western
beet-sugr people, backed by the sugar
trust will oppose Mr.. Talt's efforts to the
end. They secure. the corporation Of
their fellow protectionists by the ingenu-
Gus suggestion that the development of
industries in the Philippines can be ac-
complished only through the introduce
ton of Chinese labor, which would
eventually result in the competition of
cheap labor In many lines of American
industry. These influences were strong
enough to defeat all of Mr.. Tsft's efforts
during the Congress just closed, and this
will continue, though it is fully appre-
ciated that these islands, ifundeveloped,
will be merely continuous burden.
A large party of Congressman will be
taken by Secretary Taft on a tour Of the
Philippines this summer.
Protectionist ideas, of course, prevail
in this Congress, and there is purpose
to discourage any sort of competition
from the Philippines. 1t is proposed
that the Filipinos shall either be allowed
to progress slowly along their own lines,
without the encouragement of new indus
tries, or else that the tariff be kept stand
ing. II is conceded to be impracticable |
to retain the islands in state of stagna-
ton. 1t is not believed anything pro-
gressive can ever come from the native
Filipinos. Therefore the development |
of the islands must depend upon the |
extent to which the Chinese and the
Japanese are admitted,
Under such conditions some of the
most influential republicans in the Sen.
ate believe it would be better if the is
ands were turned over to the undis.
Duted possession of Japan, having no
,laim upon the protection of the United
States nor 10 trade concessions from this
country.
Within the past week there has been
ome quiet talk among men who usually
axe the initiative in such matters as to
he desirablily of entering upon nego-
iations for the transfer of the Philip
lines to Japan. The suggestion comes
rom responsible quarters that such ne
citations. should be begun soon after
be conclusionof peace between Japan
nd Russia.