The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-13
ARMY SCANDAL.
(COncIuded from First Pnge.)

the important points, at least would all go
to the public.
The senators who had acted as members of
the Paris commission-Messrs Davis, Frye
and Gray-were all present and antagonized
the motion for open doors They stated that
from their experience in the negotiation Of
the treaty many instances involving grave
international controversies were liable to be
raised, and all speaking from TINS stand
point urged the preservation OF the Sena-
torial custom of closed doors. Senator Teller
sustained them in this position urging the
Importance of the question and stating that,
while as Il rule he favored open sessions OF
the Senate on all occasions, he considered
present of all times, the most inopportune
for q change of the senatorial custom or
open doors. Senator Hoar, on the other
hand for the first time in his life, advo-
Gated open sessions, declaring that no fact
could be developed in connection with the
treaty too important for the American pub
The circumstances led to a renewal of the
discussion of the wisdom and good policy
peace commission, and there was general
passage at arms over this question. Natur-
ally, too, the Senate drlfted into a discussion
of the treaty itself and the intention of this
government towards the F'ilipinos, much be-
ing said on the lines of Senator Foraker S
open-session speech of yesterday. Sena-
these matters, and while the speeches We're
on the same general lines as those made
on the support of the expansion in open
session, they were more crisp as none OF
them had been prepared In advance
Senator Gray announced himself as a sup
porter of the treaty, admitting, however,
that at the beginning he had some misgiv-
ings as to the policy involved. still, there
could be no two opinions on the general
question of surrendering the islands back 10
Spain. and with this question disposed OF
in the negative it only remained for the
United States to take at least temporary con-
troll of the islands. For the future he had
no doubt that the United States would deal
fairly and liz accordance with the, dictates
of honesty with the natives of the islands.
nounced declaration for American sovereign
ty in the islands, and was a jealous plea
for the recognition of our right a nation
to make conquest and to hold the country
taken. He, too would award the natives
fair treatment, but he would leave no doubt
In their minds or the mids of any one else
that they were subjects of the United
States, and that they. We're such by right
atty, which is an inherent and integral part
of our existence as a people.
An interesting point bearing on the treaty.
brought out in connection with the conirma-
ton of General Wherry. Senator Hawley
asked for action upon the nomination, say
ing that it was urgent because it was de-
signed that General Wherry should go TO
the Philippines and that he should proceed
there as soon as practicable. This remark
was seized on by the opposition senators as
a text for criticism of the policy of send
ing troops to these islands at present, Sen
ator Hale leading in this onslaught. They
had supposed, they said. that this practice
would cease with the signing of the pro-
tOcoI. Some OF the Senators went so Tar
as to intimate that the policy in connec-
ton with the speeches made in the Senate
was calculated if not intended to incite the
Filipinos to acts of hostility.
Senators Hale and Hoar announced them
selves openly during the session as deter
mined to vote against the treaty. and while
the discussion was in progress a number of
Democratic senators held a conference fox
the purpose of deciding upon a course of
antagonism calculated to secure its defeat.
While confessing that they are not yet
able to count enough senators to insure this
result. they professed to be very hopeful as
a result of the work so far done.
The Senate devoted a few minutes of its
executive session to-day TO consideration Of
the promotions of Rear Admirals Sampson,
Schley and other naval officers out of their
regular order Senator Hale made an effort
to have the nominations confirmed, but at
Senator Chambers instance action was
postponed. Mr.. Chandler suggested that
while the honors conferred We're the result
of a laudable desire to reward gallantry.
the Senate should proceed cautiously, so as
TO make sure of not doing injustice TO other
meritorious officers who did not have the
same opportunities for distinguishing them
selves as these officers whose nominations
had been sent to the Senate.