The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-15
PHILIPPINES
GET TRADE
ONE PROVISION OF NEW TAR
IFF BILL GIVES ISLANDS
CONCESSIONS.
Philippines Get Market In United
States for Sugar, Tobacco and
Cigars.

Washington, July IA provision
in the new tariff bill which should
not be lost sight OF is that establish
T3g limited free trade between the
United States and the Philippines.
President Taft is entitled to the cred
i for this accomplishment. Before
congress entered on the routine work
OF making a tariff law he let it be
known that he would not approve a
bill which did not satisfy the de-
nlands of the inhabitants of the is
lands for free trade with the United
States. The limitations on free ex-
change are that rice coming in from
the Philippines must pay the regular
duty; that the importation OF sugar
shah be limited to 100000 gross tons
annually; that wrapper tobacco ard
filler tobacco should be limited to
10000 pounds; that the Importation
OF filler tobacco shall be limited 10
100000 pounds. and cigars limited
10 100000.
In effect free trade is established
because the Limitations are so broad
hat the philippines can find mar
set in the United States for all the
sugar, tobacco and cigars they will
have to send this country for a good
many years to come. Rice was kept
ON the dutiable list at the request Of
the rice growers OF the south, who
feared that sooner Or later the Fill
pinOs might be able to .encroach on
the market for American rice.
United States officials in the Phil
.ippines who have been at their wits
end to suggest ways and means by
which the islands m5ghl the made
prosperous, have large hope that un-
der the new trade arrangement there
will be an industrial revival An ef-
fort is to be made 10 persuade Amer
lean capital to invest in the sugar
and tobacco business. Porto Rico
showed a remarkable revival indus
arially after free trade WAS establish
ed between that island and the Unit
ed States. The total trade of Porto
Rico was Increased through free
trade with the United States more
than 200 per cent. while both the i'm
ports from and export: to Porto Rico
were more than quadrupled, indcat-
'ng that the benefits have not been
one-sided. and although it was pre-
dfcted BY those opposed to free trade
before it was established that such
an arrangement would result in bank
rupting the csland, the revenues in
creased from 100000 to $4,000 900
figures as a basis for calculation. it
follows that similar arrangement
between the United States can not
result favorably and give measure
OF prosperity to the Filipino people
which will assist them more than any
thing csc.
The loss OF customs revenues to
ahe Philippines during the first year
OF free entry of the American goods
is estimated at from 81 800 900 to ST.
100000. This situation the insular
government proposes TO meet by an
increase of internal revenue taxation
and reduction of expenditures The
creatano OF limited free trade rela-
items between the United States and
the Philippines make it necessary for
congress to enact a new tariff law
for the islands. The rates in this
bill range from 10 per cent. on crude
materials for the manufacture OF ne
cesSitieS Ito 80 per cent. of luxuries
The new trade relations between
the United States and the islands are
carefully guarded Everything that
enters the islands from the United
States free of duty must be wholly
:he growth or product, or manufac-
tired in the United States. The same
rule applies on Philippine products
shipped to the United States.