The Detroit times., 1909-07-02
URGES FAIRNESS
FOR PHILIPPINES
Gov. Gen. Smith Says Howl Against
Lifting Tariff Is Nonsense-Japan
az Is Friendly.
sv 3. G. sANDERsoN.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 2.-Gen-
James Francis Smith. governor-gen
eral of the Philippines, thinks that the
opposition in this country TO remov-
ing the Philippine tariff is all non
sense.
He told me SO in an interview few
days ago. The general had just re-
turned from the Philippines, and
was stopping in this city en- route
to Washington.
THE one important question from
the Philippine standpoint is the tar
iff,. said the general. The Payne
bill provides for free trade between
the Philippines and the United states
and that would be the greatest behe-
tit the islands could receive.
"In the face of the fact that the
United States never has produced
enough sugar for its own consumption,
It. has up to- the present kept up the
tariff bars against Philippine sugar.
Trade with the Sandwich islands, Por-
to Rico and Cuba has been fostered;
that with the Philippines does not
seem to meet with favor. Just why.
It is difficult TO understand, inasmuch
as, this country Is as responsible yer
the Philippines as it Is for Porto Klco
or the Sandwich islands. and more
SO than II is for Cuba.
Lack of encouragement.
"The production OF sugar in the
Philippines has fallen TO only about
114,OOO tons, beause Of the lack Of
announcement which free trade would
supply"
How about tobacco?
"The annual production in the Uni
ted States fails OF meeting the local
consumption, understand, by 10000
600 pounds. There is no danger OF
our supplying this deficit by the free
admission of Philippine tobacco. IA
the Philippines the entire production
of tobacco of all kinds is only 10000
900 pounds.
II cannot understand this opposi-
fion TO removing the tariff. II seems
To me IL results from fear based on
lack of knowledge rather than on
souud reason. The sentiment thar the
philippine production OF sugar and to-
bacco Is SO great that local American
interests would be hurt is all Aon-
sense"
Despite Smiths previous prohibit
lion OF anu utlNaA
I yeutured to ask him II he thought
the Japanese are casting longing eyes
on the Philippines.
Japan's Attitude.
mo. | do not" he replied promptly.
~All that kind of talk originates,
think, on this side, and has little II
any. real basis of fact TO sustain H.
Japan. in my opinion, Is animated oy
the most friendly Of feelings toward
the United States. ! suppose there
have been foolish statements made IL
yapan as I'm other countries, pu.
think you will agree with me ,hat as
such utterances have not been made
by the Japanese government or ~
persons representing japanese ser.--
ment and public opinion, they are 80
fitted TO but little consideration.
"Do you think the Filipinos ought
10 be made independent"
"The Filipinos. in my opinion ara
not ready yet for independence thy
/. are naturally gifted. but unfortunately
the great body OF the people have not
been educated. nor can they be or
more than n generation TO come The
people are eager for instruction. aud
have been educated and have acquired
democratic methods OF thinking. see
TO reason why they should not DO
trusted TO establish and MAINTAIN a
Democratic form Of government"