Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-04-03

sioner Benito Legarda, spoke in OPP
position to free trade between the
islands and America. His views were
followed by those of his colleague,
Pablo Ocampo DE Leon, expressed
yesterday.
Washington, April 3.-Basing his
objection to the Philippine section of
the tariff bill on the provision which
admits American goods in unlimited
quantity into the islands without
duty, Benito Legarda, resident COM
missioner from the Philippines, adj
dressed the House today. He pointed
out that the admission of 100000
tons of Philippine sugar free into
the United states would not improve
conditions in the islands imme mediateiy
because the industry had declined
one half during American occupation
and because China was the natural
market for that sugar. Immediate
benefit might not accrue to the to-
bacco industry either, he said.
Had the proposition for reGpro-
cal free trade been made before the
Philippine assembly was constituted"
said Mr. Legarda, very little if any
this measure. But today that assem-
bly, wishes us respectfully to present
their wishes oefore this house in or
der that you who come so directly
from the American people may pass
Judgment on the claims of those for
whom you exercise sovereignty.
IF instead of the free admission
without limitation as to quantity Of
inf
pine islands. this bill provided only
the free entry there of agricultural
machinery and other commodities of
prime reciprocity (such as cotton
cloth) and which are needed for the
agricultural and industrial develop
ment of those islands, or if this bill
provide only for such reciprocal eX-
change of commodities custom duty
free as would balance the limited
quantity of sugar and tobacco sent
from there with an equally limited
quantity OF American products TO be
sent from here--if such were the pro-
visions of this bill it would be our
pleasant duty as representatives of
the Philippine people to make mani
fest to this house their gratitude.
The Filipino people are not un-
grateful for what the American gov
ernment has accomplished and is ac-
complishing for them in those is
lands In several respects the laws
there are as good as in some of the
most advanced states of this union,
Congress has always been inspired
in its acts by principles of justice and
wise equity The Filipino people
believe that coming before this Con-
gress with a just cause it will receive
the same measure of equity as that
which the American people have al
ways in the past conceded under SIM
liar circumstances.
MY firm conviction remains un-
shaken that a prosperous and happy
future smiled on the Philippine IS
lands from the moment the Ameri-
cans planted their flag there, which
represents liberty, progress and civil
lization.'
A meeting of probably forty of fifty
Republican representative VIII be
held this afternoon to organize oppo-
sitiQn to the Payne tariff bill. II viii
be attended by those standing out
for an opportunity to vote on hides
lumber, coal iron, ore and barley
schedules.
The state department has received
numerous protests from foreign
countries concerning the proposed
tarin legislation affecting manufac-
turers abroad. Secretary Knox has
replied, saying that the protests have
been turned over to the congression-
al committees.