The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-02
Their Acquisition Now Is ImpOlitic,
lnexpedient and Expensive.
LODGES BAD POLITICS
PATRIOTIC DODGE TO PROMOTE
A PARTY ISSUE.
Principle Involved Is the Same As
In the Hawaiian Question-Point-
ed Out That For the Present Or
Immediate Use For War Purposes,
Danish Islands Are Valueless.

Washington, April 1.-The senate spent
almost the entire day in the discussion of
the resolution reported yesterday from
the senate committee on foreign relations
| for the acquisition of the West India is
lands owned by Denmark and the session
was closed by the practical withdrawal
of the resolution by Senator Lodge, its
author. He stated that the debate had
| developed such a wide difference of opin-
ion, in the senate, where there had here
! tofore been such unanimity. that he would
not further press the matter at time
when the president needed the support
of all senators of all parties. He moved
that the senate proceed to the eonsidera-
ton of executive business. thus volun-
tarlly for the time abandoning the reso-
luton.
IMPOLITIC MOVE.
This action on the part of Senator
Lodge was preceded by an animated de-
bate in which many sharp words were eX-
changed over the policy of bringing in Il
proposition liable TO divide the senate at
a time when unanimity was especially
desirable and when all parties had shown
disposition to give their uttermost sup
port to the administration in preparing
Tor the war which almost all the speak
ers considered probable. Many speeches
were made on this line, and some went
so Ear as to intimate that an advantage
had bean taken of the situation to press
proposition which they considered ques-
in its patriotic desire to support the
president at a critical time. would con-
slider the matter favorably now. whereas
IL would not do so in times of quiet. SEN
ator German and Senator Pettigrew were
among those who took this position. Mr..
German referred to the recent unanimous
action of congress in entrusting the vast
sum of $50,0O0.000 to the president IJr his
expenditure in maintaining the dignity of
the country, and said that since the DAYS
OF Washington, no such confidence had
n oh af Ns,-~ &c &
nation, but that while this was a great.
trust. it carried with it vast responsibility,
SO far, the legislative branch of the gov
eminent had been united in support of the
executive. 1t was evidently impossible
to preserve this cohesion on the present
proposition and he counselled that il be
not pressed.
PETTIGREW'S POSITION.
Senator Pettigrew took a similar posi-
ton. He said he was willing to support the
administration in all reasonable and Just
measures in preparation for what appear
ed an inevitable war, but he did not in
tend. because of his loyalty in this re-
sDect, to be induced to give his adher-
ence TO measure that did not appeal to
MS own Judgment. The Danish islands
were. he said, fully 1900 miles from our
coast. and to attempt TO acquire them
now would be in violation of our Motley
of not annexing territory not con-
tiguous. He said there was no assurance
beyond the word of senators that the
president really desired to purchase the
ISLANDS, and lntimated that the committee
on foreign relations had taken advantage
OF the present apparently friendly spirit
on congress TO spring a question of policy
Whlch at least had had only a very brief
consideration from the executive. He said
Senator Lodge had had a report in favor
OF the policy now undertaken in his desk
1or year. and that the friends of the
measure sought to get it through now
under the stress of war pressure He call
ed attention TO the fact that Senator
Lodge had said that the islands could not
De annexed in time of war and if this
was true, and with war imminent as il. is.
II is evident that there would not be a
time to complete the purchase in time TO
to be war. the United States, he thought
could secure all the coaling stations ne
cesary on the island of Cuba. and that if
tnere was no war, none would be needed.
LODGE EXPLAINED.
Senator Lodge replied briefly to this.
submitting his long advocacy of the ac-
of the Danish possessions, and
the present time. He said he had called /
upon the president with reference to the (
purchase of the islands, and that not only |
ne, but the naval officials had cOncurred +
in the opinion that their possession would 1
De OF lnestimable value in case of HOSTILE /
ties in the West Indies
Senator Perkins and Senator Elkins. |
Doth Republicans, attacked the purchase /
proposition as unwise in that il was liable I
to involve rs in extra expense and un- /
necessary ENHANCEMENT Senator Teller /
stated that. ordinarily. he would favor /
and that he had done so for /
many years, but that he would no advise I
an enort to secure action at a critical
time like the present when il was unwise /
to bring in any proposition calculated TO 1
create discord and division. He therefore
the action Of the committee in
reporting the resolution at this time
THEY ARE USELESS.
Senator Bacon OF Georgia spoke against
he resolution, saying that for present or
war purposes they would be
useless. and that they could be &C uired
I wanted, at some future time. The ac-
luisition of the territory. in his opinion.
should be by treaty and not by legislative
let. He said it would take a year to for
-ify either of the West Indies so as TO
make them available for any purpose. At
present we have not guns nor the time
o complete the works for terrifying any
portion of the islands
Senator Mason was among the support
RS of the resolution. He put his support
IN the ground that he was willing to aid
he administration in any way deemed |
necessary for the successful prosecution
# a war with Spain.
The senate adjourned till Monday.