The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-06

~ - III AAAG ACBG u lAlAlhNAIlAS thO 2CllhAC
Of the United States to defeat the treaty.
1t ought to be regarded by every patriotic
American as a reason why the treaty should
be ratified without a days delay. In my
judgment, the insurgents have been induced
to make this attack for the purpose of in
fuencing public opinion in the United States
in favor of the withdrawal of our army
from the islands, but it seems to me that
it must haYe an exactly opposite effect. /
ave not now and have not had much pa
thence with the course pursued by the oppo-
sition to the treaty, because 1 believed it
would bring forth just what has occurred.
fight ought to have the effect of secur-
ing the ratification of the treaty, and I hope
it will
MORGAN KNEW IN ADVANCE.
Senator Morgan. a member Of the commit
tee on foreign relations and a supporter of
the treaty from it's introduction into the
Senate, said: II have known for several
days that it was the opinion Of the best in
formed men in Washington that Aguinaldo's
agent, Agoncillo, had cabled to his prin-
cipal informing him that a vote would be
taken on the treaty on Monday, at the same
time advising him to precipitate hostilities
previous to the time set for the ballot. 1
have not been at liberty to mention this fact
to my colleagues in the Senate because it
came to me in a way that made it a sacred
confidence. The attack on our forces is,
therefore, no disappointment to me. A strong
impulse had doubtless been given to this
movement by the earnest insistence of some
leading men and leading newspapers that
the treaty with Spain was a violation of the
Constitution of the United States. From his
first intrusion into the subject, when he de-
manded for Aguinaldo that the alleged Phil
ippihe government should be admitted to
participate in making the treaty, down to his
memorial to the Senate of Jan. so, Agon-
clio has insisted that the government he
represents, or pretends to represent, is SOW
ereign and Independent, and that the United
States has no jurisdiction over it without the
consent of the Filipinos. This is the only
issue he has presented as the representative
of Aguinaldo. His demand has been for a
recognition of independence or nothing,
and that we should give this recognition or
fight. On the part of Aguinaldo, who is
doubtless supported by other foreign influ-
ences, this outbreak against our army in
Manila is a crime due entirely to personal
ambition. He must believe, although l do
not agree with him, that he has secured,
and will secure, material support for his
course in the United States. This conception
of his has involved us in unnecessary blood
shed and in a war which, if it is not checked
at once. will spread into cuba and Porto
Rico. 1t is, therefore. in my opinion. the
duty, as I hope it will be the indignant
demand, that the United States government
should bring all of its powers to bear at
once to convince these people that they owe
obedience to the law. of nations and to show
them that their ingratitude to this country,
from which they have received nothing but
kindness and forbearance, is q crime that
must be answered for
COCKRELL AND FORAKER.
!. Senator Cockrell, who is recognized as one
of the strong opponents of the treaty, was
not disposed to discuss at length the situa-
tion as affected by the hostilities at Manila.
Il do not know" said he, what effect the
trouble may have on the Senate. There are
many men of many minds. I do not believe
there would have been any trouble had an
authorized declaration of our peaceful in
tent been made. Had such a declaration
been made by the constituted authorities
the Congress and the President-I do not be-
lieve there would have been a vote against
the ratification of the treaty. cannot dis
cuss at this time our situation in the Philip
pines. The Information at hand is too mea-
ger to enable me intelligently or properly 10
inter into it."
Senator Foraker, a member of the foreign
relations mi and a stanch supporter
Of the treaty, said: The situation i'm the
Philippines is peculiar. The legal status of
the Filipinos is and will be until the treaty
shall have beer ratified that of Spaniards.
The American army and navy are rightfully
at Manila. and if attacked cannot do less
than resist and defend themselves. While,
therefore, such trouble as has occurred is de-
pioIabie and, so far as we are concerned,
unavoidable, it emphasizes the duty of the
hour, which is to ratify the treaty imme-
diately. That will end the war and give to
Congress the right and authority to deal
with all these questions as the situation may
require.
Senator Bacon, who, while he has declared
his opposition to the Treaty, possibly may
vote for its ratification, said: Il am not
surprised that hostilities have broken out.
1 said in the Senate on the 18th of January
that in the absence of any declaration of pa
cific intent by the United States, and a dis
claimer of purpose forcibly to annex the
Philippine islands, there was daily danger
of a collision between the two armies con-
fronting each other at Manila. The hostility
of the Filipinos is due to their apprehension
and belief that the United States will at
tempt to subjugate them. There would have
been no hostilities if they could have had
an assurance from this government to the
contrary. 1 very much fear that the forci-
bic effort to annex the Philippine islands
win result in a long and costly war, even
if We have only the Filipinos to contend
with. They are seven thousand miles away
across the water, are three ines as numer-
Gus as the American colonists were during
the revolutionary war and occupy several
hundred islands. affording exceptional OPP
portunities for successful and long con-
tinued guerrilla warfare. Our status in the
Philippines is defined at present by the pro-
tocol, and, of course, if our troops are at
tackled they are obliged to defend them
selves. In my opinion the ratification of the
treaty viii mako certain the Filipino war
with which heretofore we have only been
threatened; and we win be fortunate if we
escape serious European complications. Al
present | do not see that the trouble at
Manila should change the position of any
one with respect TO the ratification of the
treaty. But whatever may be the position of
one. as 10 ratification, IL war comes. whether
right or wrong, everybody will sustain the
government in pressing it to a successful
conclusion"
Speaker Reed and Chairman Hit. Of the
foreign affairs committee of the House. de-
clired to express for publication any views
either as 10 our status ia the Philippines or
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