The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-20
Right of a Sovereign Nation to
Acquire Territory.
SENATOR PLATFS SPEECH
The Right to Govern Such Lands Is On.
questionable. Until the People Are
Capable OF Seli-Governmsnt.
The Cuban Commission.

portant speecnes. MT. flatt OF COnneC-
ticut spoke against the Vest resolu-
tion. which declares that the United
States has no power to acquire terri
tory. He said that the power Of a ma
tion to acquire territory was as inher-
ent as its sovereignty. The United
States had the right To govern such
territory i'm the best possible manner
until the people of the acquired lands
We're capable NJ self-government.
Mr.. Proctor Of Vermont and Mr.. Hale
of Maine expressed divergent views on
the subject Of a commission of sena-
tors to visit cuba. Mr.. Proctor thought
such a commission was necessary. while
Mr. Hale said he Thought il would be
extremely bad taste and useless. The
Nicaragua canal bill was up during the
last part of the day and Senators Ber-
ry, Allen. Hoar. Caffery and Morgan
discussed the measure.
Senator Mason of Illinois to-day in
troduced I'm the senate a resolution di-
recting the committee on agriculture
to inquire into certain legislation pend
ing before the German reichstag cal
culated to prohibit the importation into
Germany Of American sausages and
other meat products and directing the
come a law. to report Immediately a
bill to require inspection of sugars.
meat. wines and other food products
which are Imported into this country
from Germany. The resolution went
over until tomorrow.
The vice president announced a COM
mittee on the centennial celebration of
the city OF Washington as the capital
of the nation as follows: Hoar. Hale
Perkins, Simon, McLaurin, clay and
Turey.
Senator Lodge favorably reported a
joint resolution and asked for its inn
mediate consideration. It asks that the
president be and he Is hereby request
ed to communicate to congress- so far
as same may be done without detri-
ment To public interests. all lnforma-
ton I'm his possession, concerning GER
tain alleged oufrages committed on the
person of Bishop Earl Cranston and
other citizens I'm the city OF Pekin. Chi
ma, by subjects OF the emperor Of Chi
ma, and what steps. II any. have been
taken by the state department i'm the
matter Of demanding suitable redress
and indemnity therefor. The resolu-
tion was agreed to.
Senator Cullom gave notice that he
would ask the senate at the conclusion
of Senator Platts speech to take up
the anti-scalper bill from the table for
consideration. Senator Chandler in
quired II IL was CullOm's purpose 10
have the bill referred to the Interstate
commerce committee. Senator Cullum
replied he proposed to ask for consid-
GRAFTON at this time.
We'll, ] give notice. Mr.. Presl-
dent responded Chandler. that there
are senators here who will insist that
the bill shall go to the committee
Sullivan Of Mississippi protested
against what he termed IAN extraordi-
know what Senator Cullom's purpose
was.
II propose to call up the anti-scalp-
ing bill for consideration" replied
Senator Cullom. I'VE can discuss ducs-
tions relating to the request when we
come To them"
Teller gave notice that tomorrow he
would address the senate on Vests
anti-expansion resolution. In accord
ance with notice previously given. Sen
ator Platt Of Connecticut addressed the
senate, opposing the resolution offered
by Senator Vest and declaring that
under the constitution no power Is
given to acquire territory To be held
and governed permanently as colonies.
Mr.. Platt's speech was c0nstitu-
tional argument. maintaining the legal
right of the United States to acquire
territory saying he did not propose to
discuss the policy of expansion nor the |
features Of the government we might |
exhibit In any foreign territory we
might acquire. Expansion. he said, has |
been a law Of our national growth. the |
of our national develop |
ment. and ne added:
II shall maintain that the United |
States has shown a great capacity for |
government in all trying times and |
under many trying conditions and that |
IL is capable Of meeting any emergency |
likely 10 arise. | shall contend that the /
United States il nation, and. as such. 4
possesses every sovereign power not re-
served by the constitution to the state l
or 20 the people themselves: that the /
right TO acquire territory was not re- 1
served and that therefore the right rs /
an inherent right-a sovereign right. a 4
right to which there is no Limitation. I /
shall show also that in certain Instances |
this inherent sovereign right is 10 be in I
ferred from specific clauses OF the con- /
stitution itself"
Mr.. Platt then launched into con- /
argument. quoting extern
sively from authorities treating on the /
question. and also declared that i'm the /
Of the Hawaiian islands the /
entire question OF this governments !
right TO acquire foreign territory was
considered thoroughly and that the /
senate had settled IL satisfactorily and .
The United States. ne said. /
had the right TO acquire territory In all I
ways that are conceded To other SOW
ereign nations OF the world. IL might i
become necessary In the interests Of \
OF some other Interest for the
United States to acquire territory in
Africa.
shall we be bound by the cOnstitu-
ton TO organize a state from such ac-
quired territory and admit its inhab!t-
ants TO citizenship?"
suppose he continued. that The
senator from Alabama CAIT MorganD
secures the passage OF his bill for the
OF the Nicaragua canal
and IL should be deemed necessary Sor
the United States to acquire a "trip
along the route OF the canaI Of 2.5O0.OG0
acres-I think that is the amount sug-
gested-can we not take it, n We t-ke
Il. what clause OF the constitution. di-