The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-27
A D~enunciation Of the Presidents Course in
the Philippine Question.
CHARGED WITH PERSONAL AIMS
In the Conduct of the Scheme for Expansion-The Prediction That
Pubic Sentiment Will Leave Him and His Annexation Ideas
High and Dry-The President Urged to Disclose His True
PoIcy-The Evils of Annexation Portrayed-The
Senate Agrees to Vote O n Ratification of
Paris Treaty February 9Th.

"dSA1A6 WILL dlludIg ia lit bS-
ginning of today's session OF the sem
ate, Senator Hale. chairman of the
committee on naval affairs, reported
the naval personnel bill and gave no
tice that at the earliest time possible
he would call it up for consideration.
The committee added a number of
amendments.
Senator Chandler, of New Hamp-
shire, = introduced a bill, temporarily
creating the office of admiral of the
navy. 1t was referred to the naval
affairs committee.
The senate bill providing for the
| erection of a building in this city for
the department of justice at a cost of
81, 600, 900, was passed.
The senate at 1905 o'clock .. m,
went into executive session and at lao
| O'Clock p. m. resumed business in open
session.
A bill to prevent failure of military
justice was passed.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, gave no
tice that on Saturday he, would call up
LIS uCI1o1 1116 I41a N11S III
ippinos ought to be free and independ-
ent and ask a vote thereon.
Senator Frye, of Maine, a member Of
the foreign relations committee, in
formed the senate that he reserved the
right to insist upon the further con-
sideration Of Senator Bacon's resolu-
ton behind closed doors.
On motion of Senator Davis, the SEN
ate then at 2 o'clock, went into execu-
tixya session and at 2.40 O'Clock n m
adjourned.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The senate consumed forty-five min
utes in executive session in arriving
at a decision to vote OF the peace
treaty. AS soon as the doors were clos
ed and the public excluded, Senator
Davis, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, took the floor and an
nounced hat he was authorized by the
committee to accept the proposition
made in executive session by Senator
German yesterday, to vote on the
treaty within ten days. He, therefore,
| asked for unanimous consent that the
vote should be taken at 3 o'clock on
Monday, February 9Th, saying that
exactly ten legislative days would in
tervene. between this time NJ that.
He intimated that if there were any
objections to this date, he would like
to hear them. but none were heard AL,
the hour and the day were unanimous
ly agreed to.
There was also an agreement that
the senate should go into executive
| session each day between this time and
February 9Th, for the discussion of the
treaty. Authority was also given for
making the announcement of the
agreement public.
The opposing senators made no OBJ
l. - n
an earlier nor a later me-.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today resumed the debate
on the army reorganization bill.
Mr.. Gibson, republican, of Tennessee
was the first speaker. He advocated
the passage of the Hull bill.
Mr.. Johnson, republican, of Indiana
then took the floor in opposition to the
bill. AS he arose the democrats ap-
plauded and members squared them
selves around in anticipation of some
sensational utterance.
while the president in the presence
of what he may conceive to be a pop
ular demand he began, "is hurryins
the army and navy across the seas te
iniict upon an alien people a govern
ment against their will, I propose fear
lessly, without regard to it's effect upor
my personal fortunes, to make a plea
for liberty and an argument agains'
the preparation of injustice.
w were on the verge of a crisis,
said Mr.. Johnson. IAN those who fail
ed to rush forward in support of tn
chemes of the imperalists were being
denounced here and in the public press
as 'Spaniards,' and men who failed IL
their duty.
IF the chief executive would breal
his silence and openly state that W.
did not propose to enslave the peopi'
of the Philippines, my word for it, tn
present strained relations in the islandi
would cease; those who were but yes
terday our allies would return to thei
homes and there would be 10 necessit!
for this proposed increase in the stand
ing army. No; his would not be done
What meant this hasty disavowal o
Senator Foraker's statement that tn
administration had no intention o
holding the islands permanently? /
the administration does not mean t
hold the Philippines, what means thi
clalnor of the administration press
Why had the presidents commission
erS demanded the absolute ceSSiOn o
the islands instead Of simply demand
ing their evacuation as they did in tn
case of Cuba? Why did not Senate
Davis, who was in charge Of the treat
in the senate agree to ALLOW the pas
L ~ ia a 0bS
governments purpose to hold the is
lands permanently? These were paten
facts which could not be lodged The
must be faced sQuarely. Everythin
pointed in one ~direction-the prpose {
annex the Philippines"
Continuing, he drew a parallel be
tween u revolutionary struggle an
the struggle the Philippines made fo
independence. He argued that toda
they had a stable government, reput
lican in form, a president, a vice pres
lent and congress, the hole founde
upon the free consent of b governed
To attempt to subvert tat govern
ment, he charged, woud be an "ur
speakable crime that should bring tn
blush Of shame to the cheek of ever
free born American"
! Mr.. Johnson paid a high tribute
Aguinaldo and TO Agoncino.
IF William Mckinley ever changs
> his policy regarding the Philippines,
! he declared in stentorian tones, 4
: will bend to the weight Of populs
49, -