New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-21
PEACE TREATY GAINS A VOTE
SENATOR PERKINS WILL OBEY THE
VOICE OF CALIFORNIA.
"A STRIKING ILLUSTRATION OF THE PoPU-
LAR DESIRE FOR RATIF1CATIoN-oNLY
TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS
NOW IN THE OPPOSITION,
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l

TWO REPUBLICAN, SENATORS
NOW IN THE OPPOSITION,
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Jan. 20.-The strength OF the
popular pressure which Is making itself felt IN
all quarters for the ratification Of the Treaty
Of Peace with Spain was>strikingly illustrated
in the announcement made to-day by senator
Perkins, Of California, that ne would accept the
instructions recently passed By the Legislature
of his State, and vote TO approve the terms OF
the Paris convention without qualification or
amendment Mr. Perkins has made no conceal
ment Of the fact that he considers either the
Temporary or the permanent acquisition or the
PHILIPPINES BY this country highly undesirable.
But. realizing that the great majority or the
people Of California favor the retention anu
control 81 the Philippine Archipelago and that
the platform on which he made his own can
vass for reelection. favored a policy OF colonial
expansion he not long ago addressed letter 70
the California Legislature requesting an eX-
preston Of that body's sentiment on the ques-
ton Of accepting refusing 10 accept the
responsibilities thrust upon this Governments
by Admiral Dewey at Manila The Legislature
nromntlv passed resolutions strongly urging
the ratiicat ton Of the Paris treaty. and these
resolutions. communicated TO both the Call
this afternoon.
Mr.. white the Free Silver Democrat, whose
term will expire on March 3 next. made Wig
orous speech in which ne denied the power OF
the Legislature to control his vote hut MT
Perkins. after explainisg the circumstances
under which he had been elected two years
ago and the conditions under which the Re-
publican campaign IN California had been maze
last fall. frankly announced that he would yleld
his own opinion to that Of the great mass of MS
consti, uents and support the treaty whenever
the time came 10 vote. Mr.. PerkinSs maj ac-
cession 10 the majority side leaves only TWO ne
publicans-Senator Hoar and Senator Hale-ln
the ranks Of the opposition which is now hsn'-
ing TO delay or hamper the full execution OF the
terms OF peace agreed on with Spain.
Senator Harris Of Kansas, whose attituue
toward the treaty has been rather doubtful
said to-day that he would favor ratihcaton II
Senator Davis would make "some CONCESSIONS
These concessions seem to include the oppor-
tun,ty to vote before ratification on resoiu-
zion either Joint or concurrent. declaring that
II is not the purpose Of the United states 70
sseume a nermanent control OF the Philippine
proup. Such a. resolution could have no bind
ing force anybody. for in the concurrent
form II would remain a mere expression OF
opinion while In tho joInt form n would nave 10
receive the assent Of the President. Mr. Davis
At present Is not disposed 10 bargain with the
opposition 10 secure an early vote ana some
such empty and futile concession as chance 10
90 On record on the Issue Of expansion IN the
Philippines is all that the opponents OF ratihca-
ton now really hope TO secure.