The Washington herald., 1908-01-21
Mr.. Taft's AItruistie Truman

Defending our colonial policy in a speech
al St Louis last May. Secretary Taft
said that generous altruistic splrit'
was needed for the satisfactory solution
Of the many problems involved Our ad
ministration, he thought, upon the whole
presented .an unblemished record Of gen
crous, earnest effort to uplift these peo-
pie, 70 help them on the way TO self
government and 20 teach them a higher
and better civilization" Seven months
later the Secretary himself gives the
country practical example Of American
aitruism, a concrete illustration OF higher
and better civilization, by trading a Phil
ippine tariff policy for delegates to the
Republican national convention,
If there is anything in American colo
NAL policy more discreditable to this
country than this Philippine tariff bust
ness. We do not know Of it. In the his
tory of Philippine tariff legislation is
heard as Mr., Taft has said, "a note of
selfishness. Ever since the pacihcation
of the Islands the Fnipinos have been
waiting for a simple act Of economic ius-
uce-the free admission OF their princi-
pal products to American markets. Mr.
Root recommended it, Mr.. Taft recon-
mended it, the Philippine commission rec
commended it, two Presidents recommend
Cd IT, Five years Of continuous effort on
the part Of executive officials has failed
10 induce Congress to reduce the tariff
on Philippine products, yet that body
found time TO enact tariff legislation op-
pressive 20 the Filipino. Let the report
Of the Philippine commission for 1896 tell
the miserable story:
There has been great and bitter disapuaiutmant
throughout the Philippine Islands AZ the failure Of
Congress 40 its last session 10 furnish relief from
the excessive duties now imposed by the DineIey
tariff upon imports Of sugar and tobacco products
from the Philippine Islands into the United States
believing. as the people do, that tley are being
treated with great injustice in this respect by the
Congress Of the United States not only discourage
ment but disafeCti0n results. They feel that the
Islands being exploited Tor the benefit of inter
ess IN the United States by compelling the insulsr
treasury 20 refund export duties which it collects
upon products imported into the United States and
tAefe consumed. refund which goes solely for the
btneat Of manufacturers Of cordago and other user7
OF hemp IN the United States; by the passage of
laws ait-l-tbll ltlahtA III liitlf OPERATIONS
peillug all commerce between the United States and
the Islands to be carried on in American bottoms
which VIII undoubtedly greatly enhance the cost NJ
transportation by the granting Of a monopolv. nv
changes in the cotton schedule Of the pbiIiDr4Da
tarin such as 10 increase the pice Of cotton goods
IN the islands for the benefit Of manufscturars ~
cotton goods in the United States. changes which
made disCiminstire in such a way as n sv
elude foreign manufacturers. and thereby enable
american manufacturers TO fix their own prices free
from English and Geman competition; and by the
imposition Of such heavy duties upon sugar and
tobacco products imported into the United States
as TO constitute total prohibition and to close 10
the Filipinos the markets Of country which thew
are asked TO consider their Own, the favorable Spsn
ish markets before available having been closed 10
them.
While Congress remains deaf TO the
plea Of the Filipinos for economic justice,
Secretary Taft is doing his best for them
and for himself knowing that the stand
petters Ia Congress will not consent to
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