Rock Island Argus., 1898-12-21
EXPANSION DISCUSSED
Debate on That Subject Goes on
i'm Both Ends of the
Capitol.
sOUTHERNER AGAINST THE SCHEME
Williams of Mississippi Declares Annexa-
tion of the Philippines Bad Policy and
Bad Law-Says the Whites Must BE SUI
preme Even in Hawaii-TeIler Tells the
Senators What He Would Do with the
Problem of the FiIipinos.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Teller
occupied the first half of yesterdays
session of the senate with a speech
in advocacy of the theory that
there are no restrictions upon the right
of the United States to expand its bor-
ders so as to include far distant ter
ritory. He went quite thoroughly into
the legal points bearing upon the ques-
tion and also incidentally discussed at
some length the form of government for
the Filipinos, saying that he would en-
courage self-government among the ISL
anders and would give them the most
liberal government which they were
capable of conducting. but that ne
would not take down the American flas
where once placed. The remainder of
the session was given up to the Nicara-
qua canal bill. Senator Caffery was the
only speaker on this subject, and he Op-
posed the Morgan bill.
House Takes Up the Subject.
The house listened to the first speech
on the subject of the annexation of the
Philippines. Williams of Mississippi, a
Democratic member of the foreign af-
fairs committee. in an hours speech.
stated his opposition to policy which
would bring the islands under the
sphere of United States influence. He
contended that il would be hostile to
the spirit of our institutions TO assume
control over 100000 unwilling subjects:
that annexation would cost us $40 000,-
900 a year; that the annexation of the
islands met none of the tests which ap-
piled to our past acquisitions OF terri
tory, and would be mistake from a
social, political and material stand
point.
Some Reasons Why He Objects.
Speaking against the annexation of
the Philippines Williams said the ISL
ands wou.d prove a great disappoint-
ment. They were thickly populated with
peoples Of heterogeneous races. They
could never afford homes CroppOrtunity
for American citizens. we
want no unwilling subjects" said Will
Jams. We want no opportunity for the
exercise of tyranny. The south is es-
pecially hostile to the absorption of Il
great population alien in race. blood
and color and customs" Under the
fifteenth constitutional amendment
,SittzeIsbiR .SGgld-n be denied the ma
tives OF fhe7 Islands If they were an
neXed. He had been asked why if 2Iissis-
sippi had been able to deal with the race :
question the people of the United States
would not be able to do so in the Phil
ippines. The difference was that the
people of Mississippi understood the
problem with which they had to deal. 4
Must BE White Supremacy.
There must be white supremacy. If
white supremacy were not guaranteed
in Hawaii he declared that 80 per cent
of the CaucasianS would not remain
there. While he opposed the annexa-
ton he said he should not return the
Philippines to Spain. Il should leave
the islands where they We're the day
after Dewey's glorious victory at Ma
Mia. 1 should haul down the American
flag. / am for the flag for what it
means, not for itself. 1t is nothing but
n piece of bunting and when some one
announces that it must not come down,
1 care not how high his station. he says
something unworthy of himself and his
country. The flag should come down
IL it is right that it should do so and the
American people must pull it down. We
would not let any other country do it,
prolonged applause on Democratic
side.1 If any other country got posses
sion OF the Philippines it would not do
worse than Spain d. In any event our
trade with the Philippines waS a mere
drop in the bucket ard if we retained
possession of them we would have to
sacrifice the open door policy in the
Orient or go back on the constitution.
The agricultural appropriation bill
ment. 1t carried s3.696.S22. or S1S7. .1eg
more than the current law.
nruEp STnE ~ ruT. Sy~.rE