The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-21
Have Right to
Territory
BEYOND BORDERS.
Senator Teller Discusses
Government for Filipinos.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Teller
of Colorado occupied the first half Of
to-day's session of the Senate with a
speech in advocacy Of the theory that
there are are no restrictions upon the
rights of the United States to expand
Its borders so as to include far distant
territory. He went quite thoroughly in
the legal points bearing upon the ques-
ton and also incidentally discussed at
some length the form of government for
the Filipinos, saying that he would en-
courage self government among the
islanders and would give them the most
liberal government which they We're
able to conduct, but that he would not
take down the American flag where
once 2lanted.
The remainder of the session was
given up to the Nicaragua canal bill
Senator Caffery was the only speaker
on this subject and he opposed the Nor
gan bill
Senator Allison of Iowa reported fav-
orably from he appropriations commit
tee the House resolution providing for
an adjournment of Congress from the
21st to January A. and it was adopted
without division.
Senator Proctor's resolution providing
for committee of senators to visit
Cuba and Porto Rico, with a view to
ascertaining the conditions on the ISL
ands and reporting them with recon-
mendations to the Senate, was favor
ably reported by Mr.. Gallingher of New
Hampshire. MIR. Hale of Maine OBJ
jected to an immediate consideration OF
the resolution and it was placed on the
calendar.
On motion of Mr.. Hoar of Massachus-
setts it was ordered that on February
22 Immediately after the Senate con-
vened, Washington's farewell address
be read by Mr.. Wolcott of Colorado,
In accordance with notice given yes
terday, Mr.. Teller of Colorado then ad-
dressed the Senate upon Mr.. Vests re-
solution declaring that under the con-
stitution no power is given TO acquire
territory to be held and governed per-
manently as colonies. Mr.. Teller's ad-
dress like that of Mr.. Platt, made yes
terday, was a constitutional argument,
in the course of which he maintained
the right of the United States to ac-
quire foreign territory.
Mr.. Teller in the course of his re-
marks, said that the purchase of terri
to- from Mexico after the Mexican
war was parallel with the present pur-
chase from Spain. We now proposed to
purchase some of Spain's territory and
nav her 100000, 000-a mere bagatelle.
Mr. Teller said he would ask the PEG
pie Of the Philippines what they wanted
in the way Of government, and give it
to them. The sooner the people govern
ed themselves the better. He believed
the people of Luzon capable of self gov
eminent.
IF we are a nation Mr. Teller de-
clared, 1--WE have the power to exercise
the rights of a nation-all the rights OF
any sovereign power" He declared that
it was prerogative of a nation to de-
fend itself. When the country was
called upon in 1861 10 meet this ques-
ton, it met it fairly and settled it for
all time. So far as the United States
was concerned, at least, the question
was settled finally at AppomattoX.
''Then," declared Mr.. Teller, we took
our place as a nation endowed with all
the powers of a sovereign. and we pos
sess those powers today"
Referring to the territory acquired
by the United States during the recent
war, Mr.. Teller said: I'VE have al
eady acquired this territory. We need,
as matter of fact, no treaty with
Spain to confirm our right to it, BY
right of conquest, right undisputed,
we came into poss sssiOn of Cuba, Por-
70 Rico and the Asiatic archipelago,
They are ours just as certainly as they
could be made so by treaty.
I'VE can confer statehood upon these
territories when in our judgment 1t is
proper so to do. Nobody can call INTO
question our right to exercise our judg-
rnent in this matter
IF we acquire territory, he con-
tinued. the very act carries with 1t
the right to govern. Who" he de-
manded with dramatic force, can
govern now in Cuba or in Porto Rico
bnt the United States? That question
is settled-settled by the very circum-
stances of the case. The question is
now. what disposition shall we make of
the territory that has come into our
possession?
1--WE ought" said he, ito extend to
the people of these newly acquired pos
sessions the power to govern them
selves as soon as they are prepared to
accept that power. We are coming to
deal with the greatest question the
American people have met since 1861.
anticipate much difficulty and embar-
rassment but have at no time felt the
distrust that has been manifested by
many of our people
IF this government will say to the
people of this acquired territory" said
Mr.. Teller, 1--WE will give you self
government we will not need an army
Of $4,000 men in Cuba, 10000 in Porto
Rico and 10000 in the Philippines"
Il am not one" he said further along,
ITO turn these possessions back to
Spain, but | believe chat we ought to
give them the opportunity to govern
themselves. Nobody wants these pos
sessions made into states now. And
vet in course of time we may take
them in
So far and as soon as possible, Mr.
Teller believed, the inhabitants of Cuba
should be given government, but
he did not believe that the United
states should leave the infant power
thus established as a prey of another
nation. He believed it folly to talk OF
imperialism" as applied to this coun-
try. No man or set of men had any
intention Of establishing in this coun-
try the European policy of imperial
ism.
mo colonial system such as England
established years ago in India will ever
be established under the stars and
stripes" declared Mr.. Teller, Our flag
will always float over liberty and hap
piness insured to al the people beneath
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