Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-01
GRAY AND MONEY ON THE TREATY
Mississippinn HoIds That R"ti"e"-
tion VIII MIKE Fiiipinos Citizens.

WASHINGTON. January a.-Senators
GRAY and Money occupied the entire
executive session Of tho Senate to-day IN
speeches on the peace treaty, Senator
Gray fsvoring ratification and Senator
Money opposing It. Senator Gray was the
third OF the Paris Peace Commissioners
to speak. and while he gave some atten-
ton 10 the published matter bearing upon
the treaty. he did not go into such detali
as did Senators Frye and Davis. lie ad-
mitted that in the beginning OF the nego-
tiations he had been opposed TO the ac-
auisItion Of the Philippine archipelago
and said he had freely and frankly ad-
vised the President and his ieliow-com-
missioners of his opinion that II wouid
be unwise to attempt to shape its destiny
He used his best endeavors TO bring them
to accept his view, but had utterly faiieo'
lie had at last reached the conclusion
that he would either have to JOIN with
the majority or see the treaty fall and the
war continue. In the mean time, he had
been largely won over by the arguments
of his colleagues and by the logic OF the
situation. and he had at last concluded
to sign the convention. Having taken this
| position. he was here now TO defend the
treaty as a wise conclusion of q most
delicate diplomatic undertaking. Many
complications had beset the commission
ers I'm their work, and while he would not
retract what he had heretofore said as
| TO the undesirability of acquiring distant
| territory. as a matter of principle, still
| there were times when a nation, as an
individual. might have to choose between
evils. There was danger Of many COM
plications of an international character
in case the United states should have
elected to pursue a different policy. He
reiterated that the ultimate conclusion TO
take the entire Philippine group was that
Of the commissioners rather than OF the
President. and went into the difficulties of
getting the Spanish commissioners to
come to a conclusion.
Senator Gray did not advocate perma-
nent occupancy of the eastern islands. but
said that the duration of our exercise OF
sovereignty there should be settled In
the future and not at present.
ANNEXATION UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Senator Money attacked the acquisition
of the islands, as contrary 10 the spirit
Of American institutions. and as uncon-
stitutional He said the Government OF
the United States could not afford to put
itself i'm the attitude Of q Don Quixote, In
a vain effort to care for and advance the
interests Of every people in every land
that appeared, according TO our standards
of civilization. to need our help. He had
been an advocate Of Intervention in the
case of Cuba. but from this fact IT did not
follow that he was willing % transfer the
Philippines from Spanish vassalage to
dependence on the United States. He die
not consider that we were especially con
cerned i'm the future of the Filipnos anC
50 far as he was concerned, he should
leave them to work out their own saliva
tion. This would be far preferable TO as
suming responsibility for them, and max
! ing them citizens OF the United States
, as they would inevitably come to be if tn
treaty should be ratified,
: Senator Mason. i'm a few words en-
dorsed Senator Moneys position. that tn
. Filipinos would be made citizens by tn
f ratification Of the treaty, and Senate
Teller. in brief rejoinder, controverte'
{ this position, saying that an act OF Con
, eress would be necessary Ia fix thei
status toward the body polite.
Senator Hoar also endorsed Senate
MnneV's pOsitiOn.