Evening star., 1898-08-01
VIEWED WITH APPRECIATION
The Manner in Which the Philippine Ques-
ton was Handled.
Opposition to Restoring the Terrttor,
to Spain and Also to Terri
torial Expansion.

The general opinion of the manner in
which the Philippine question is under
stood to have been dealt with in outlining
peace terms appears to be that skill and
wisdom has been displayed by the admin
istration. Those who haye been insisting
that the Philippine group should be re-
taired by this country appear to be sats-
fled that the question should be left to
future consideration, while on the other
hand some of these who have been most
outspoken and determined opponents to
what they term Imperialism believe that
the method adopted in dealing with this
question is most likely to lead to wise
conclusion in the end. For instance Rep
reese NATIVE Hinrichsen of Illinois, who has
been one of the most outspoken opponents
to the acquisition by this country of the
Philippines, was in Washington today and
expressed the opinion that the administra-
ton is dealing wisely with the question.
Il am irreconcilably opposed to this gov
ernment annexing the Philippines" he said
but the question of the disposition which
is to be made of those islands is not one
which can be settled without very careful
deliberation. 1t is a delicate and difficult
question. We don't want to hold the is
lands permanently, and at the same time
their restorat ton to Spain Internationally
is hardly to be thought of. Neither can
we turn them over to Germany or some
other foreign power. we have got to con-
slider what is due to the people of the
Philippines, and do whatever is possible to
secure to them a good form of government.
It will take time to consider that. If it Is
possible to give them complete self gov
;e tha hos lntin nT Ia
problem, and 1 am inclined to believe that
they may be put in away to govern them
selves in a manner acceptable to them
selves with suitable guarantee of their full
filing obligations to the outside world. But
whatever we may find to be the situation,
it appears to me to be wise that the ques-
ton should be left open, and that the ut
most consideration be given to every phase
of the question before final conclusion Is
reached" -.s~
Views in the Senate.
Similar views to this have been express
ed by a number of men in Congress VINO
are opposed to a policy of territorial ex-
pansion and it seems fairly indicative OF
the manner in which the propositions OF
the administration will be received. II
Spain accepts the situation, as 1t Is ex-
pected she will, treaty will have TO be
drawn up and submitted to the Senate.
which will be called in extra session. 1t is
expected that preliminary to the drafting
of a permanent treaty between the two
governments there will be ample time for
the President to ascertain the sentiment OF
the Senate on the subject, and that he Will
take steps to fully inform himself as TO
the wishes of that body. The treaty will
have to be ratified by the Senate. and the
President will naturally not desire to run
the risk of having the treaty rejected by
our Senate after 1t has been agreed to by
the executives of the two governments. 1t
is known that there is a strong sentiment in
the Senate, and especially in the committee
on foreign relations, against restoring to
Spain any territory of which she has been
deprived by this war. 1t is improbable,
however, that two-thrds are actually in
favor of retaining permanent possession OF
the Philippines, and it is doubtful whether
a majority even are in absolute accord on
the proposition.
Many Shades of Opinion.
There are a great many shades Of opin-
ion, ranging between annexation and the
unconditional restoration of the islands to
Spain, and it will be difficult to adjust
these differences of opinion so as to secure
the approval by the Senate of the treaty
agreed upon. The proposition to restore
the Philippines to Spain unreservedly, to
be governed as she sees fit, will have very
little support in Congress, and 1t is almost
certain that no treaty could be ratified
which contained such a provision. It is
probable, however, that any settlement of
the question which has the approval of
a majority of the Senate will, If agreed to
by the President and the Spanish govern
ment. be ratified by the necessary two
thirds, since the minority would hardly at
tempt to hold out to prolong the war
against the judgment of the majority. 1t
is believed that any treaty of peace nego-
tiated by the President, after ascertaining
the prevailing sentiment of the Senate.
will be ratified without difficulty. even
though 1t does not entirely meet the views
of two-thirds of the Senate.