Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-28


 Republican Policies as to Dependencies
 The Republican party has pursued consistently the policy originally adopt ed with respect to the dependencies which came to us as the result of the Spanish war.
 Porto Rico.
 The material prosperity of Porto Rico and the progress of its inhabit- ants toward better conditions in re- spect to comfort of living and educa- tion, should make every American proud that this nation has been an ef- ficient instrument in bringing happi- ness to a million people.
 Cuba.
 In Cuba, the provisional government established in order to prevent a bloody revolution has so administered affairs and initiated the necessary laws as to make 1t possible to turn back the is- land to the lawfully elected officers of the Republic in February next.
 Philippines.
 In the Philippines the experiment of national assembly has Justified itself, both as an assistance in the govern ment of the islands and us an educa- tion in the practice of government to the people of the islands. We have established a government with effec- tive and honest executive departments, and clean and fearless administra- ton of justice; we have created and are maintaining comprehensive school system which is educating the youth of the islands in English and in industrial branches; we have construct ed great government public works, roads and harbors; we have induced the private construction of eight hun drel miles or railroad; we have polIced the islands so that their condition as to law and order is better now than 1t ever has been in their history. It is quite unlikely that the people. because of the dense ignorance of 90 per cent, will De ready for complete. self-gov- ernment and independence before two generations have passed. but the policy of increasing partial f-government step by step as the people shall show themselves 1t for 1t should be contin- ued.
 Proposition of Democratic Platform
 Means Chaos.
 The proposition of the Democratic platform is to turn over the islands as soon as a stable government is estab- lished. This has been established. The proposal then is in effect to turn them over at once. Such action will lead to ultimate chaos in the islands and the progress among the ignorant masses in education and better living will stop. We are engaged in the Phil ippines in a great missionary work that does our nation honor, and is cer- tain to promote in a most effective way the influence of Christian civiliza- ton. It is cowardly to lay down the burden until our purpose is achieved Hope of Prosperity In Change In
 Tariff Recommended by Republican
 Platform.
 Many unfortunate circumstances be- yond human control have delayed the coming of business prosperity to the islands. Much may be done in this regard by increasing the trade be- tween the islnnds and the United states, under tariff laws permitting reciprocal free trade in the respective products of the two countries, with such limitations as to sugar and tobac- co imported into the United States as will protect domestic interests. The admission of 3J0,000 tons of sugar from the Philippine Islands in a for eign importation of 100000 tons, will have no effect whatever upon the do- nestle sugar interests of the United States. and yet such an importation from the Philippine Islands, not likely to be reached in ten years. will bring about the normal state of prosperity in these islands In reference to sugar culture.
 The same thing Is true of a similar limitation on the importation of to- bacco. It is not we'll for the Philip pines to develop she sugar industry to such point that the business of the islands shall be absorbed in 1t, be- cause 1t makes a society In which there are wealthy landowners, holding very large estates, with valuable and expen- siye plants. and large population of unskilled labor. Tn such a community there Is no farming or middle class tending to build up conservative, self respecting community, capable of self government. There are many other products. notably that of Manila hemp, to which the energy of the islands can be, and is being. directed. the culti- yation of which develops the class of small and intelligent farmers.
 Miseoneeption ss to Annual Cost of
 Philippines. One misconception of fact with re. spect to our Philippine policy Is that 1t Is costing the people of the United States a vast annual sum. The ex- pensess of the war in the Philippines from 1898 to 1902 involved the Govern. ment in an expenditure of less than $1I5,000.000. This was incident to war. The fact is that since the close of the war in 1902 and the restoration or order in the islands. the extra cost of the American troops of the regular army in the Islands. together with that of maintaining about 4.oo0 Philippine