Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-29
Republican Policies as to Depend
encics.

HS INtpuUHCdh Btti y pdi'uSN
consistently the policy originally
adopted with respect to the de-
Tendencies which came to US as the
result of the Spanish war.
Porto Rico.
The material prosperity of Porto
Rico and the progress of it's inhabi-
tants toward better conditions in re-
spect to comfort of living and educa-
ton, should make every American
proud that this nation has been an
efficient instrument in bringing happi-
ness to a million people.
Cuba.
In CuDa, the provisional government
established in order to prevent 4 bloody
revolution has so administered affairs
and initiated the necessary laws as to
make it possible to turn back the
island to the lawfully elected officers
of the Republic in February next.
Philippines.
In the Philippines the experiment of a
national assembly has justified itself,
both as an assistance in the govern
mcnt of the islands and as an educa-
ton in the practice of self government
to the people of the islands. We have
established a government with effective
ana honest executive departments, and
4 clean and fearless administration Of
justice; we have created and are MAIN
tanning IA comprehensive school system
which is educating the youth of the
islands in English and in industrial
branches; we have constructed great
al I,- o,,I
harbors; we have induced the private
construction of eight hundred miles OF
railroad; We have policied the islands
so that their condition as to law and
order is better now than it ever has
been in their history. 1t is quite unlike
ly that the people, because of the dense
ignorance Of 80 per cent, will be ready
for complete self government and indie
pendence Lefore two generations have
passed, but the policy of increasing
partial government step b. step
as the people shall show themselves fit
for it should be continued
Proposition of Democratic Platform
Means Chaos.
The proposition of the Democratic
platform is to turn over the islands as
soon as Il 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 aud the
progress among the ignorant masses In
education and better living will stop.
We are engaged in the Philippines in
great missionary work that does our
nation honor, and is certain to promote
in most effective way the influence Of
Christian civilization. 1t is cOWardly
to lay down the burden until our pur
pose is achieved.
Hope Of Prosperity in Change in
Tariff Recommended by Republican
Platform.
Many unfortunate circumstances be
You'd human control have delayed the
coming of business prosperity TO the
islands Much may be done in this re
gard by increasing the trade between
the islands and the United States I'M
der tariff laws permitting reciprocal
free trade in the respective products Of
the two countries, with such limitations
as to sugar and tobacco imported into
the United States as will protect do
!neStic interests. The admission OF $50,
900 tons OF sugar from the Philippine
Islands in a foreign importation OF
100000 tons. will have no effect what
ever upon the domestic sugar interests
Of the United States. and yet such an
importation from the Philippine Is
lands. not likely to be reached in ten
years, will bring about the normal state
Of prosperity in these islands in refer.
ence t. sugar culture.
Tho same thing is true of a similar
limitation on the importation of tobac-
co. 1t is not well for the Philippines TO
develop the sugar industry to such a
point that the business of the islands
shall be absorbed in it. because it
makes a society in which there arc
wealthy landowners. holding very large
estates, with valuable and expensive
plants. and 4 large population of I'M
skilled Labor. In such a community
there is no farming or middle class
tending to build up Il 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 cultiva
ton Of which develops the class OF
small and intelligent farmers.
Misconception as to Annual Cost Of
Philippines.
One misconception of fact with re-
spect I" our Philippine policy is that it
is costing the people of the United
States Il vast annual sum. The eXpen-
SEES of the war in the Philippines from
1895 to 1902 involved the Government i'm
an expenditure of less than $l15, 900, 900
This was incident to war. The fact is
that since the close of the war in 1902
and the restoration of order in the
islands, The extra cost Of the American
troops of the regular army in the
islands, together with that of maintain
ing ahout 1000 Philippine scouts as n
part of the regular army, does not ex-
coed s6.0O1,000 annually. This is all the
expense to which the United States has
been put for five or six years last past
The expenses of the Civil Government In
the islands since its establishment have
been met entirely from the proceeds Of
taxes collected in the islands, with but
one notably generous and commcnda bile
exception when the Congress of the
United states appropriated s3,O0o,0OO In