The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-29
TAFT PLEADS
FOR FILIPINOS
Islanders All But Ruined by the Ding.
ley Tariff.
FREE TRADE SURE TO COME
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
HEARS THINGS.

Washington. Jan. 2S.-Secretary 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. il is our duty TO establish
and maintain the best possible condi-
tons there.
Certainly he said. the present
status or the islands SO far as our re-
ldOiohs 10 them are concerned, will re-
main the same throughout the next
generation and proba bly, longer
With this in view. he maintained it
would be as just to establish a tariff
between the states of Ohio and Penn
sylNanfa 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 warm
~ that congress had already enacted a
measure which was eminently unfair
10 the islands.
WhiPsawing the FiIipinos.
"You have declared that in 1906
american bottoms shall carry every
thing that is shipped between the Unit
ed States and the Philippines both
ways. Is il possible that the house of
representatives. OF the senate can I'M
pose on these people Democratic pol
icy with reference to the carrying of
goods and yet withhold the opportuni-
ty of markets for these goods?
NO, sir l am not willing to admit it.
l do not think congress Will be so un-
Just and these people here. represent
ing special interests may as well put
their houses in order The American
people are not going to allow interfer-
ence with the policy that is going to do
this country honor
This policy. Secretary Taft said, was
settled at the last election The Demo-
cratic members of the committee might
not agree with him on this point.
Ultimate independence.
Mr. Williams of Mississippi, the mi
noTlty floor leader. asked the secretary
If 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
government.
government as the American
understands it, or as the Filipino I'M
derstands it?" asked Mr.. Williams.
4 doubt if they ever reach the self
governing capacity Of the Americans"
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 government when
the people are ready and we believe in
fixing date for their independence"
Time Is Indefinite.
Secretary Taft-Yes. that is practical
ly II. Whenever they reach the condi-
ton where they have a reasonable pub
lie opinion which may be relied upon to
restrain radicaliSm, when interisIand
communication has been esta bIished
and when conditions generally have be-
come settled-then if they desire indie
pendence, give II to them. If they do
Motif they desire a bond which might
become sweet by coming inside our
tariff wall. that might be considered.
Mr. Williams-Even then YOU would
make them self-governing colony?
Secretary Taft-YeS. sir.
Mr. Williams remarked that the Re
publican position at first was that we
were TO keep the islands forever.
Would Not Be Felt.
Secretary Taft discussed the island
industries and said there was no dan
ger whatever that either sugar or to-
bacco from the Philippines will