New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-12
THE PHILIPPINE PROBLEM
MR.. FORAKER ASSERTS THE RIGHT 10
HOLD THE ISLANDS.
HE DECLARES. HOWEVER. THAT AMERICAN
OCCUPATION WILL BE TEMPORARY
SENATORS GRAY HoAR AID
ALLEN TAKE PART IN A

fny rrIrGRAPH TO rHE TRIDUNE. !

sena,a was again devoted chiefly 70 a spirited
and interesting debate on the scope Of the Ma
tional power under the Constitution. 70 acquire
and govern additional territory. Two new reso-
lutions were introduced dealing with the issues
raised toy the proposed extension OF the soVer-
eighty Of the United states over the colonial
possessions wrested from Spain as the result OF
the war. The first OF these. offered by Mr.
Bacon. Of Georgia contained a series Of declara-
tions applying TO the Philippines practically the
same policy which Congress laid down last April
FOR guidance IN settling the Cuban problem II
disclaimed any intention the part OF this
country n exercise sovereignty over the Philip-
pines and asserted a purpose 70 recognize the
independence or a native government as soon as
It should be firmly and effectively established
The second resolution offered BY Mr.. Allen. of
Nebraska wen. q step further, and declared tnat
any aggressive action by the Army or Navy
against the Fllipinos the existing Aguinaldo
dictatorship would be act u war unwar-
ranted on the part ~ the President and an
exercise Of constitutional powers vested exclu-
svely in Congress" As the Executive has never
in any way recognized the existence of native
government or native authority in the Philip
pines. no action against Aguinaldo and his fol-
lowing could legally be recognized as warfare
Mr.. GRAY EXPOSES a FALLACY.
This point was properly emphasized in the
short debate which was sprung by Mr. Allen
on his curious resolution. Yet the Neoraska
Senator clung 10 HIS contention that Congress
would have 10 give the President authority De-
fore he could legally take steps 10 carry into
effect the cess0n OF sovereignty over the ISL
ands contained in the treaty with Spain. MI
Hoar and Mr Cray were drawn into the dis
cusgion started by Mr.. Allen, and the Delaware
Senator himself one Of the signers - the Treaty
Of Paris neatly removed the undermining or
logic on which the Allen resolution rested by
explaining that state of still existed In
the Philippines between the United states ana
Spain. and that II expedition to loilo We're
70 be considered a violation of the protocoi OK
last August. that would be a matter solely con-
cerning the two parties 10 that truce. Under
the authority vested in him by the declaration
Of war the President was amply justihed IN
exercising any military or naval pressure IN me
PHILIPPINES he might think it prudent or expo
dent 10 apply. Mr.. Grays speech gave great
/ satisfaction. for It was precise and luminous.
and completely exposed the mistaken premises
! on which Mr. Allen was operating
The chief speech OF the day. however. was that
NJ Senator Foraker. Of Ohio, cne Of the most
active and influential Of the newer members OF
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Foraker who IS trained lawyer OF expert
ence and distinction, as well as cpreful student
OF American political history. had set himself
the task OF replying 10 he argument made oy
Mr. Vest and NJ. Hoar in denial OF the Sa-
tion's constitutional power 10 acquire ana gov
ern additional possessions without the distinct
pledge that such annexations are ultimately 10
/ be organized a States
MR.. FORAKER's BROAD VIEWS.
Mr.. Foraker devoted the greater share OF his
! speech 70 a review Of the legal and politcal
! constructions put on the Governments power 20
absorb anc control new territory. paying par
ticular attention 10 the decisions given from the
! Supreme Court by Marshall and Taney, as well
| as m the theories Of Federal competency acted
upon by jefferson In the acquisition Of Loui-
sana Jackson in the control or the Florloas
and Tyler and Polk in the annexation cf Iexas'
! Though IN q sense technical and full u legal
| citations and closely reasoned argument. the
Ohio Senator's speech was marked by clearness.
vigor and oratorical grace Though taking only
an infrequent part in the debates Of the Senate.
Mr.. Foraker has easily risen in the two years ne
has served in the deliberative branch 10 the first
! rank as a debater OF skill and force. His speech
on the Cuban question last spring first indicated
! his power 70 present case with brilliant ora
| torical effect His defence to-day. In reply 10
Mr. Hoar and Mr. Vest OF the broader and more
! progressive view OF Federal soveregnty-a sover-
| eighty large enough TO meet and face all the
/ consequences y an exercise Of the war-makng
power-conarns his former reputation and
establishes him as one OF the readlest and best
| equipped debaters In either house.
Mr. Foraker laid down the broad proposition
that to adopt the Vest resolution was to de-
clare that the fathers had brought forth Ma
ton that was inferior to all others, regardless
OF the generally accepted idea that one nation
was the equal OF another. He maintained that
the right t. acquire territory inherent
right Of nationality and that. as the United
States had the right TO make war and to enter
into treaty agreements. q followed logically that
il had the power 10 acquire territory by con-
quest and to assume the responsibilities that
NAV accrue therefrom Mr. Foraker's strong
assertion that the acquisition of the Philippines
was temporary In character created a sensation
IN the Chamber. He maintained. however. that
this country had legal right 70 hold the islands
permanently.
THE DEBATE N DETAIL.
President Hobart presided over the Senate
TODAY for the first time since the holiday recess
having been detained his home BY attack q
grip.
Mr. BACON Dem. Ca offered the following
joint resolutions
That IN. Government and people OF the United
states have not waged the recent war with Spain
for conquest and for the acquisition OF foreign
territory hut sosly for the purpose set forth N
rho resolution oS Congress making the declaration
of said war. the acquisition OF such .ma.l tracts
OF land harhors as may be necessary Tor gov
second-That IN demanding and in receiving ,ss