One of the subjects that is much discussed in political circles is the probable policy of the United States in the government of the Philippine Islands. The so-called “open-door policy” seems to find favor, especially abroad, as well as being the reputed ideal of President McKinley. It will no doubt be of interest to many of our readers to know something of what is meant by the policy. Probably no one is better qualified to explain the matter than Congressman Dingley, author of the present tariff law, and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the House. Following are his comments on the subject, given to a press reporter:— The phrase “open door policy,” which is now being talked about so much in the newspapers, means simply equality of treatment, and not free trade. As applied to the dependency of a country, it simply means that imports from all countries are to be admitted on the same terms as imports from the mother country. As applied to the Philippines, it would mean that imports from Great Britain and all other foreign countries are to be admitted at the same rates of duty as imports from the United States. Of course this policy could not be applied to the Philippines if they should be admitted into the Union with territorial form of government, because the Constitution provides that duties shall be uniform within the United States, unless there should be an amendment to the Constitution permitting this. Whether it would be possible to apply this policy to the Philippines after they should become a part of the territory of the United States, under that provision of the Constitution which authorizes Congress to make needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property of the United States, I am not prepared to say. It is noticeable, however, that in the resolution providing for the annexation of Hawaii, passed at the last session of Congress, it was provided that the Hawaiian Islands tariff should continue in force until Congress should otherwise determine. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the present talk about an “open-door policy” for the Philippines is intended to apply entirely to those islands while under a military administration, which would be permissible, and not apply to those islands after they shall have been formally recognized as a part of the United States. Of course, it would be competent for the Paris Commissioners to incorporate in the treaty with Spain a provision granting to Spanish imports into the Philippines equality of treatment with imports from the United States for a term of years, and that provision in the treaty when ratified by the Senate and projected into law by Congress, would be the law of the land. In the discussion of the “open-door policy,” I notice that many papers assume that it is the uniform policy of Great Britain in her colonies. It should be borne in mind, however, that there is a conspicuous exception to this in the case of Canada, her most important colony, which admits imports from Great Britain at 25 per cent. less duty than they are admitted to us and other countries. It is understood that this policy, as adopted by Canada, if not on the suggestion, is at least with the approval of Mr. Chamberlain, British Secretary for the Colonies, and that he is urging other colonies of Great Britain to give a similar preference to that country.