Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-21
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS oP-
POSES PHILIPPINE ANNEXATION.
WOULD SELL TO ENGLAND
IS NOT IN FAVOR OF RETURNING
ISLANDS TO PAIN
Suggests the Sale TO Britain as u War
Measurc-Snys 10 Hold the Conn
try Would Cost SIi0.O0O.O
AnnuaIIy-HostiIc to
American Spirit.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-The house to-
day listened to the first speech or the an
nexation of the Philippines. Mr.. Williams.
OF Mississippi. a Democratic member OF
the foreign affairs committee. in an hours
speech. stated his opposition 10 a policy
which would bring the islands under the
sphere of the United States influence. He
commended that it would be hostile TO the
spirit of our institutions to assume con-
troll over 100000 unwilling subjects; that
annexation would cost us Sl4o,0o0,0 a year,
that the annexation of the islands met
none OF the tests which applied to our past
acquisitions of territory and would be a
mistake from a social. political and ma
terial standpoint.
Mr.. Williams remarks received careful
attention and several times drew applause
from his Democratic colleagues.
The agricultural appropriation bill was
passed without material amendment. Ii
carried $685., 522, or s1s7,l20 more than the
current law.
Several resolutions from the river and
harbor committee calling upon the secre-
tary of war for estimates as 10 the cost OF
certain proposed river and harbor work
were adopted.
At the opening of the session this morn
ing Mr.. Cannon called up the conference
report on the army and navy deficiency
ON ana moved It's ADOPTION.
Mr.. DeArmond, Democrat, of Missouri,
asked whether the re-appropriation of the
balance OF the s5O.Oe0.O0 TO be expended I'M
der the direction of the president would in
any way sanction or authorize the pay
ment out of that fund of 800 900 TO White
law Reid and Judge Day for services as
peace commissioners
Mr.. Cannon said he knew nothing about
II. and on his statement that this re-appro-
priation made no change authorizing such
an expenditure the report was adopted.
Apropos of the fact that this was the
last conference report to be signed by Mr..
sayers. Of Texas, who retires from con-
gress to become governor of his state, Mr..
Cannon, chairman of the committee, paid
a high tribute to his long and faithful SER
vice on the appropriations committee. He
eulosiZed his industry, tact and integrity
and said that Mr.. Savers bore away with
him the affection of every member on the
floor. The members vigorously applauded
Mr.. Cannon's expressions. Mr.. Dockery,
Democrat. of Missouri. also paid n feel
ing tribute to Mr.. Savers.
The house then went into of
the whole on the agricultural appropriate
ton bill. Mr.. Wadsworth. Republican, of
New York, explained that it carried 49,
6e6, 322, an increase of sls7, 100 over the cur
rent law.
Mr.. Williams, Democrat, of Mississippi,
took advantage of the latitude allowed in
debate while in committee OF the whole TO
make an argument against the annexation
of the Philippines. Physically, he said, the
Islands would prove a great disappoint-
ment. They were thickly populated with
peoples of Heterogeneous races. They could
never afford homes or opportunity for
American citizens. In the annexation of
territory in the past the area annexed had
been always coterminous, except in the
increased our population and our power Of
national defense. These had been tn tests
In the past. The Philippines fulfilled none
of these tests.
willing in the future TO throw her lot with
us. the case would be different. SiNty-six
per cent of Cuba's population was Caucas-
Ian, a fact not generally known. Her peo-
practically contiguous. She lay directly
within the sphere of American influence.
We want no unwilling subjects" said
MT. Williams; We want no opportunity
especially hostile to the absorption of a
great population alien in race, blood and
color and customs"
Annexation would project us 1000 miles
in the melee of the Orient. We would have
to hold in subsection 1890. 900 Filipinos at a
cost of $40. 900. 600 annually. and as the
house was considering an agricultural bill
II might be well to bear in mind that the
increased taxes could be shifted and shifted
until they reached the farmer. who would
pay i'm the end. He argued that under the
fifteenth, constitutional amendment citizen
ship could not be denied the natives of the
islands If they were annexed.
He had been asked why if Mississippi
had been able TO deal with the race ques-
tion the people of the United States would
not be able TO do so in the Philippines. The
difference WIS that the people of Mississippi