The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-03
Freeing Philippines to Tax Sugar

It looks very much as though the sentimental hold the
country has retained on the Philippines ever since
in the settlement OF the Spanish American war by The
treaty Of P%ars-which salved Spanish pride by paying
$40 600 for the islands taken by Dewey. Pershine
and Funston-is about to be released for economic rea.
sons.
The home sugar interests are clamoring for giving the
islands their Independence and taxing their product:
when imported into this country. At present Philippine
sugar. which is produced to the extent Of about GOO, eco
tons annually, comes in duty-free and this has been
hampering Cuban importations. which pay duty, and the
domestic cane product Of Louisiana and the beet sugar
of the west. Cuban sugar fields are largely an invest.
ment Of American capital. Millions OF American mono,
Is tied up in the industry. That is why the demand
for casting off the Philippines has been becoming so in
sistent.
The proposal to give the islands is fatfered by Senator
King. OF Utah. He has a resolution to that effect pend
ing before tho senate committee on territories and IN
sular affairs. Hearings arc to be held on the matte
this month. AS q majority of the committee is said
to favor the resolution it should be possible to get it
on the floor of the senate by mid February. 1nde.
pendencc was promised the islands at some time wher
they we're taken over and 30 years have passed III the
development Of intelligence, industry and political ideas
intended to make that promise possible Of keeping some
day.
Several times the proposal has been rejected. Once
in loot was turned down at the polls by the nation.
u ~ WINS tICI 4hIAlcIcU w NlAldlu VcIlIllllSo )
and the people refused to accept the yagarics of the
radical at tho time. There was no doubt that the islands
were not prepared to be self governing at the time. Then
the senate voted independence in four years, III 1916, but
the house rejected the bill.
Now economic factors are bringing the matter Of III
to a climax. The King resolution proposes
that the Philippine legislature provide for an election OF
delegates to a constitutional convention to formulate
a constitution for a republican form OF government.
VRyl,o~ Tho constitution hoe hoen nerfcptnf tho nroSiHopt
would proclaim the independence of tho islands, ana
within six months the military forces OF the country
would be Withdrawn.
The matter may not be SO easy, however, for the con-
tcntion has been raised that congress does not have the
authority to turn the islands adrift. The New York
Herald Tribune says only a constitutional amendment Or
a mandate from q constitutional convention could vest
domain.
It is rather curious to contemplate what is proposed.
There is sordidness in it. No idealism animates the con
eressional forces backing the proposal. only tariff ad-
justment. and there have been some dirty hands dipped
in that muddlc Of late.
All Of Cuba is suffering. Sugar growers within the
United States, both in the cane and beet divisions. arc
up against the same thing. So congress, to relieve the
situation. would like to put a duty on Philippine sugar
To do this, however. 1t must grant the islands indie
~pendencc.
The Philippines. accordingly, arc nearer independence
nov that ever before. Before the winter ends it is quite
possible that a bill setting them free will be passed BY
congress.
We haven't the faintest notion-never having beer
tnere-whether the Fiipinos arc ready for elf-govern
mnt yet. And It's very likely that all good Americans
ought to rejoice to sec their country at last ready x
honor Its old pledge.
But somehow tho thing leaves a bad taste in ou
mouths.
When 1t was a matter OF honor alonc-a simple MATES
Of keeping q promise-this country couldn't see its wa,
clear to do anything about it.
Now it has become a matter Of dollars and cents
That hits us where We live. So maybe. now, we'll kce;
our promise.
The whole thing is a rather sharp commentary or
our national character.