THE PHILIPPINES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10238, 6 January 1899, Page 5

THE PHILIPPINES.

ALLEGED MALTREATMENT OF PRISONERS. ONE THOUSAND DEATHS REPORTED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MADRID, January 4. The Spanish Prefect at the Philippines asserts that the rebels are using the monks as beasts of burden. They place rings in their noses and they are led about the streets by cords. He also asserts that one thousand prisoners have died owing to maltreatment. MANILA, January 5. Both parties at Iloilo are reinforcing, and a battle is expected. Admi'-al Dewey, when his reinforcements are complete, will command twenty-seven vessels at tlie Philippines.

America's "open-door" proposal with regard to the Pmlippines is thus explained oy the American feeeretary of State, Colonel Hay, according to a telegram from Washington in the "Uuily News':—"lt means, t-uit a tariff system will be put into operation there which, would operate equally against the products of all nations. No nation would have any advantage whatever, not excepting the United States itself. Products of tnis country would pay the same rates of duty as similar products from Spain, -England, Germany, or any otner country in the world, lins is not free trade or the abolition of all duties, as some commentators assert. Under the Constitution of this country such an open door can be maintained only while the Philippines are held under a Protectorate. The moment annexation is effected the same duties, imports, and excises must oe applied mere as in the States, for the Constitution requires these to be uniform throughout the country. The only way a separate system could be maintained after toe annexation of the Philippines would bo by an amendment to the Constitution, which could ~e made by tne consent of a two-thirds majority in Congress, and the formal approval of threelourths of all the existing States. This is virtually impossible. The open door will be maintained, therefore, only so long as the new territory is under a Protectorate or military rule. "