The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
who Say the Message Is a Good
American Paper and nm Able Re-
view of Recent Events.
CRITICISM FROM DEMOCRATS
ARKANSAS JONES DIsAGREES WITH
THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
Views of Representatives Hit, GrOs-
venOr, Wheeler, DingIey and
BaiIey-LOndOn Comment.
ecial to the 1ndiananolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5--The Presidents
message has produced very favorable i'm
preston. 1t entirely meets popular eXpec-
tation, and among Republicans almost no
criticism of it is heard. The Presidents
historical story of the war, and the events
leading up to it, is acknowledged to be fair
to everybody and fair to the two coun-
tries. 1t throws a good deal of light upon
many things connected with the events of
the past year hitherto not clearly under
stood. Merely as a historical narration, it
is an invaluable contribution to the fund of
human knowledge. The President is not
disappointing in any particular. He recon-
mends a greater navy, the construction of
a ship canal across the isthmus, an en-
largement in the standing army and lcgis-
lation for financial reform along moderate
lines. AS indicated in these dispatches
would be the case, he reiterates and en-
phasizes the recommendations ard sugges-
tions contained in his message to Congress
year ago. Democrats find plenty of ma
teral in the message for attack but they
fail to discover any unexpected points
which, according to their lights, can be re-
garded as vulnerable
Many senators excused themselves from
expression of opinions on the mes
sage on the ground that they had not been
able to give careful attention to all the de-
tails. Republican senators were, however,
willing to express themselves In few gem
eral words of ooElmendation.
REPUBLICAN, COMMENTS.
Senator Cullom regarded it as "a painstak-
ing, entertaining and accurate historical re-
view"
Senator Platt, of New York, commended
the expression of determination to in
crease the standing army and to maintain
order in Cuba until the Cubans can take
care of themselves.
Senator Wolcott said It was an admirable
document.
Senator Lodge said it was liable and ex-
celent.''
Senator Foraker: "A good presentation of
facts generally, but little indefinite on the
question of Cuban independence"
Senator Proctor: IA good American pa
per-"
Senator Perkins: IAN able resume of the
situation and of the facts leading up to the
war"
The Democrats were even more averse
than the Republicans to discuss the paper.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, was an eXcep-
tion. He found in the message a number
of points which did not accord with his
views. One of these was the proposition to
continue the volunteer army in existence
until the standing army can be increased.
Some of us do not favor the increase of
the standing army he said, ''and the Pres
ident has no right to assume that majority
stand with him on that proposition" The
Arkansas senator also questioned the Presi-
dent S right to hold the volunteers in service
beyond the time of signing the peace treaty,
saying on this point: There is no war In
existence and none is imminent. The law
requires one or the other conditions, and the
threat of the President to hold the volun-
teers in the service until the standing army
is increased beyond what the consciences Of
senators and members dictate looks to me
like menace and an effort to dictate, which
1 consider an outrage and objectionable"
A GENERAL ''KICK" FROM JONES.
Senator Jones interpreted the Presidents
expression on the finances as pronounce
ment for the gold standard and for the re-
tirement of the greenbacks, and said that
he did not believe that anything like a ma
jority of the American people would indorse
him in this respect. The senator also an
nounced himself as opposed to a subsidy to
vessels connecting the United States with
1OIlO INlCOy (uUd dIQ lIG IUlllpplLSS, as OI-
posed to legislation for the construction of
the Nicaragua canal, as at present contem-
plated, and expressed the opinion that the
President was inclined to go farther in the
matter of the government Of Cuba than the
resolution of intervention had called for.
I'VE declared" he said, on this point, ''in
favor of taking them to that point at which
they could maintain a Stable government
and do not see how we can go beyond that.
To go to the extent of insuring as the Pres
ident recommends, complete tranquility
might prove pretext for a military gov
ernment and permanent occupation never to
be ended. L do not indorse any such an un-
derstanding." Senator Jones also expressed
surprise at the absence of any recommenda-
ton concerning the Philippines. 1.-The ques-
ton of the government of the Philippines is
attracting much attention." he said. "and
the fact that the President utterly ignores
it strikes me as very singular"
Senator Pasco also commented on the abb
sence of any reference to points concern
ing which we most desire information" He
said. however. that it was a valuable his
torical paper, and would be convenient for
future reference.
Senator Teller said there would be disap-
pointment over the failure of the President
to outline government for the Philippines,
saying: There will be some disappoint-
ment in this. for I think the understanding
has been that the President would indicate
what form of government should be pro-
vded FOR these new possessions. But 1t is
wise for the President not TO indicate his
views on that subject. for that is purely
and properly legislative question, and one
that should be left to Congress" On the
recommendations IN regard TO the currency
Senator Teller said: ''Ihe friends OF bl.