Evening star., 1898-12-02
Arguments For and Against Philip
pine Annexation.
The CONSTITUTION INVOKED
Chances Of the Peace Treaty in
the Senate.
MANY VIEWS PRESENTED

The discussion between the adherents of
the opposing policies with regard to ma
tional expansion now proceeding in the
press of the country is steadily assuming a
definite shape with the issues we'll defined
and the arguments fairly subject to classi
fication. The approaching close of the
Paris negotiations suggests as the item of
first consequence the probable fate of the
peace treaty. which has yet to be ratified
by the Senate. and which is certain to he
attacked by anti-expansionists of both par
ties. The drift of opinion. as expressed in
the newspapers of all sections and parties,
seems today to be that the treaty will be
ratified those journals which represent the
opposition sentiment expressing at most a
hope that the conditions may favor a pro-
longed fight with the possibility, rather
than the probability, of its defeat
The Springfield Republican dnd) takes
this view in terms which follow:
"The chances for and against the ratifica-
tion of the peace treaty in the Senate are
closely balanced The important consid
Grafton in favor of its success is that ii IS
a peace treaty, and not simply one of ter
ritorial acquisition, and no peace treaty was
ever yet rejected by the Senate. i hen.
too. Is to be taken into the reckoning the
feeling among politicians that the matter
has gone so far that 1t Is idle to think of
turning back, and that the safest way IS to
fall in and drift with the current.
considerations: "a Peace is assured iii any
event. Spain has bowed to the worst. and
a rejection of the treaty on annexation
grounds would leave matters all the InOre
peat efully right where they at the mo-
ment. (2) The treaty raises questions CT
domestic policy before which that OF a
formal conclusion of peace sinks to sec
ondary place entirely. C5) The same ques-
ttons were presented In far mlder and
less Objectionable form in the Hawaiian
treaty of annexation, and that treaty was
rejected by the Senate, falling short uf the
required two-thirds vote.
This last consideration, in connection
with the others, affords solid ground for
hope that the treaty may be reject ed. The
Hawaiian case was far the stronger of the
two
"It Is reasonable to suppose, therefore,
that all of those who voted against the Ha-
waiian treaty will vote against the peace
treaty of more distant and dangerous an
nexations. If they should, the treaty would
| fail unless the newly-elected republican
senator from Oregon should suffice to turn
| the scale. But several senator's who voted
| for the Hawaiian treaty are outspoken in
opposition to this one
Constitutional Arguments.
| On the other hand the Philadelphia Press
| (repD. which Is equally representative of
| the affirmative side Of this debate, is posi-
| tive that the treaty will be ratified. The
| Press notes that certain of the opposition
| are quoting the Constitution to support the
| argument against annexation. In reply it
| urges that while the Constitution does not
| Specifically confer the right Of annexation
! it does not prohibit that act, and notes the
| acquisition of the. Louisiana purchase as
| an offset to Mr.. Hoar's argument that the
| Fundamental law prohibits the purchasing
Of sovereignty. The Press quotes Chief
! Justice MarShalps 9 announcement as fun
damental principle that inasmuch as the
Constitution confers on the government the
| powers of making war and making treaties
| the government, In consequence. must have
| the power to acquire territory either by
| conquest or by treaty. Quoting Mr.. An
| drew CarnegieS citation of the Constitu-
| tion as supporting his contention that the
! tariff laws of the United States must cx-
! tend to the Philippines, If acquired. the
| Press cites an opinion by Chief Justice
| Tawneys decision that Florida was entitled
10 be regarded, as concerned the tariff, as
| foreign territory, even after annexation,
| until domestic tariff had been provided.
| The Press next quotes Mr.. Coudert of New
| York and ex-senator Edmunds as depre-
| eating the adoption of a savage race who,
| under the Constitution must be treated
| on an equality with the white population
| OF the Union. 1t points to the treatment
| of the Indians in refutation of this charge
| and declares that under the Constitution
| the natives of the new territories need not
| be regarded as equal unless the people of
| TINS country choose to do 50. The Press
| concludes: -......-
| These quotations from the Constitution
| and the decisions of the courts as well as
| the practice of the government from it's
| foundation, make 1t clear that there is not
| only the most ample power for the pur-
| chase or the Philippines. but for their gov.
| ernment in any way Congress may deter
mine And until Congress has acted the
| same power rests with the President"
| In It's faith that the treaty will be ratified
| the Press Is Joined by the Milwaukee SEN
tinel (rep), the Atlanta Constitution (dem.)
| and the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune
| (rep).
The Louisville Courier-Journal (dem)
/ states that If the Constitution does in fact
| prohibit the acquisition of the Philippines
1t Will be changed to permit such expan-
| sion, saying:
| The American people will not be blind
| iy ana perpetually bound by limitations set
| by the century y-dead upon conditions they
! could not foresee. If the Constitution they
| ie1t us Is inadequate we shall make it
| adequate
An Hypothetical Case.