The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-06
LITTLE COMMENT ON
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
SENATORS ARE RATHER CAUTIOus
IN EXPRESSING OPINIONS.
Democrats Complain of the Absence
OF Any AIiusiOns tn the Philip
pines, Outlining Propositions for
the Government of the New Colo
nies, and Some OF Them Criticise
the Nicaragua Canal Proposition,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Many senator's
excused themselves from expression OF
opinions at length upon the message on
the ground that they had not been able
TO give careful attention to all the details
Republican senators were. however. willing
to express themselves In few general
words OF commentator. Senator Cullom
regarded 1t as ''painstaking, entertain
ing and accurate historical review"
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 1t was an admira-
bic document.
Senator Lodge said it Was "abie and ex-
cellent."
Senator Foraker-A good presentation OF
facts generally. but a little indefinite OH
the question of Cuban Independence
Senator Proctor-A good American paper.
Senator Perkins-An able resume of the
situation and 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 ex-
ception. He found in the message a num-
ber OF points which did not accord with
his views. One OF these was the proposi-
ton 10 continue the volunteer army In ex-
istence until the standing army can be in
creased.
''Some OF us do not favor the increase
Of the standing army" he said. "and the
president has no right 10 assume that a
majority stand with him On that PROPOSE
ton"
The Arkansas senator also questioned
the presidents right 70 hold the volunteers
in service beyond the time of signing the
peace treaty, saying: 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
volunteers in service until tho standing
army Is increased beyond what the con-
sciences or senators and members die
iates looks 20 me like menace and an
effort 10 dictate, which / consider an out
rage and objectionable"
Senator Jones interpreted the presidents
expression upon the finances as a pro-
nouncenent for The gold standard and
for the redemption OF the greenbacks. and
said he did not believe that anything like
q majority Of the American people would
inforsa hsm in this respect. The senator
also announced himself as opposed to a
subsidy TO vessels connecting the United
States with Porto Rico. Cuha and the Phil
tpptnes. az opposed TO legislation for the
construction of the canal as AT present
contemplated. ana expressed the opinion
that the president vas inclined 20 go far
thar in the matter OF the government OF
Cuba than the resolution OF intervention
called for.
I'VE declared he said. 'In favor OF taxi
ing them 20 that point by which they could
maintain a stable government. and ! do
no, see how ws can go beyond that.
ITO 60 10 the extent OF insurtng, az ths
president recommends. complete tranquility
might prove a pretext for military gov
ernment and permanent occupation never
20 b. ended. do not indcrse any such
an UNDERMINING.
Senator Jones expressed surprise with
the absence Of any recommendation con-
cerlslng the Philippines.
"Tas question Of the government OF the
Philippines "a attracting much attention"
ne said, and the fact tina, the president
utterly ignores II strikes nfe as very sin
gulsr''
senator PaSco also commented upon the