The herald., 1898-12-21
Made In the House By Williams
Of Mississippi
STRONGLY OPPOSED TO The POLICY
In the Senate Teller Talks Annexation Law and Queen
Liluokalani Files Protest Against the
Seizure Of Her Land
Press Special Wire

ASSOClateu ITeSS opeCidh w hc
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-The house to-
day listened to the first speech on the an
nexation of the Philippines. Mr.. Williams
of Mississippi, Democratic member OF the
foreign affairs committee, in an hour
speech, stated his opposition to policy
which would bring the islands under the
sphere of the United States influence. He
contendcd that it would be hostile to the
spirit of our institutions to assume control
over 5000, 900 unwilling souls; that annex
alton would cost us $l40,0O0,0O0 year; that
the annexation of the islands met none OF
the tests which applied to our past acqul-
sition of territory, and would be mistake
from a social, political and material stand
point.
Mr.. Williams remarks received careful
attention, and several times drew applause
from his Democratic colleagues.
The agricultural appropriation bill was
passed without material amendment. 1t
carries $1,000, 800, or SlS7, ,l20 more than the
current law.
At the opening of the house taday, Mr.
Cannon called up the conference report on
the Army and Navy Deficiency bill and
moved its adoption.
Mir. De Almond CDem.) of Missouri asked
whether the reappropriation of balance OF
the 100000 600 to be expended under the di
rection OF the President would in any way
sanction or authorize the payment Of that
fund of 100000 each to Whitelaw Reid
and Judge Day for services as peace com
missloners.
Mr.. Cannon said he knew nothing about
it and on his statement that this reappro
priation made no change authorizing such
an expenditure, the report was adopted.
The House next took up the agricultural
Appropriation bill.
The house went into committee OF the
whole on the agricultural appropriation bill
Mr.. Wadsworth, Republican, OF New York
explained that it carried $3,696,322, an IN
crease of $lS7, 100 over the current law.
Mr.. Williams OF Mississippi took advan
tage of the latitude allowed in debate while
III soriInItree or the whole to make an ar
gument against the annexation OF the Phil
ippines. Physically, he said, the island.
would prove great disappointment. They
were thckiy populated with peoples OF
Heterogeneous races. They could never af
ford homes or opportunity for American
citizens. In the annexation of territory in
the past, the area annexed had always been
contiguous, except in the case of Alaska
and we had in each case increased our pop
ulation and our power of national defense
These had been the tests in the past. The
Philippines fulfilled none of these tests
In case Cuba should be wiling in the fu-
ture to throw her lot with us, the case
would be different. Sixty-sx per cent OF
Cuba's population was Caucasian, fact
not generally known. Her people could
easily be assimilated. Cuba was practically
contiguous She lay directly within the
sphere of American influence.
While he opposed the annexation, he said
he should not return the Philippines to
Spain. 81 should leave the islands where
they were the day after Dewey's glorious
victory at Manila. | should haul down the
American flag. / am for the flag for what
it means, not for itself. 1t is nothing but a
piece of bunting, and when some one an
nounces that it must not come down, | care
not how high his station, he says something
unworthy of himself and his country. The
flag sould come down if 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 the Democratic side.)
Proceeding, Mr.. Williams said that if the
Philippines could not take care of them
selves, they would fall under the influence
of France or Germany. Our interest in
them was commercial interest. We had
in the east generally an interest in an "open
door" policy. If any other country got pos
session of the Philippines it would not be
worse than Spain did. In any event, our
trade with the Philippines was a mere drop
in the bucket, and if we retained possession
of them we would sacrifice the open door
policy in the Orient or go back on the con,
stitution. There was still another solution
of the problem, Mr.. Williams said. If we
did not want to give the islands their indie
pendence, or let them fall under the sway
of another country, we could sell chem as a
war indemnity to England. She would
bring to them civilization.
The provision inserted in the bill to be
based as means of retalating against Ger
many and other countries was passed with a
slight amendment which gives the secretary
of the treasury discretion in refusing the
delivery Of goods adulterated instead of max
ing refusal to deliver such goods mandatory
A provision in the blk to grant leaves of
absence to employees of the bureau of animal
industry outside of Washington went out
on point of order, and the bill was passed
without further amendment.
At o'clock the house adjourned.
nNHr