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


Concluded from First Page0
clare war on the United States. There was
never any danger of the United States max
ing an attack on the Filipinos, but there
has been danger from the outset that they,
not knowing the conditions here and labor
ing under excitement, would make an as
sault on our forces. But under the circum-
stances the government has been powerless
to do anything to prevent the present Sc
rious combination of affairs in Manila.
Under the laws of nations the Philippine
people are citizens of Spain, and of course
there is nothing to do but to fight them
until they surrender and bring them to a
sense of their position. 1t is impossible now
for our government to withdraw. If it has
not troops enough to subdue the insurgents
we must send enough. The occurrence will
not prevent our doing justice by the Fill
ipinos in the end, but it certainly postpones
the establishment of a government there for
the present. 1 think it most unfortunate
that the peace treaty was not ratified the
first week after it came to the Senate. I
don't suppose that the islanders have read
the speeches which have been made in the
Senate predicting the wicked things this
government would do in case of the r%atiica-
ton of the treaty. but I have no doubt the
delay has had the effect of causing the
opinion among the natives that our govern
ment would be embarrassed by the senti-
ment Of the American people, and that this
condition of affairs has tended to complicate
matters. / think it very much to be re-
GREETED that the attack on the treaty has
assume a political aspect"
FRYE NOT SURPRISED.
Senator Frye, a member of the peace COM
mission and a supporter of the treaty, said:
9TH collision Is what / have been predict
ing every day since the discussion of the
treaty began. The absurd compliments that
have been heaped on Aguinaldo and the de-
lay in ratifying the treaty have had the
effect of encouraging him to make an attack
before achievements from the United
States could arrive at Manila. If the treaty
had been prompt iatifed it is my opinion
that the Philippine islands would have been
as quiet and peaceful to-day as are the
United States. l had fully expected that the
rejection of the treaty would be followed
by an attack ou our forces in Manila, and
it has come only a few days in advance of
the time l expected. As for our status in
the Philippines we are in Manila and Manila
bay by virtue of the protocol and under
well-established principles of international
law. We have a perfect right to defend
Manila and ourselves If attacked. said
last night in Philadelphia that l expected
just such news as we have received. and it
has come even in advance Of the time that
/ counted on"
Senator Rawlins, whose vote has been
counted as unfaVorable to the treaty, but
who has been regarded as doubtful. said:
''Our status in the Philippines as | under
stand, is this: The inhabitants of the isl
ands still owe allegiance to the Spanish
kingdom, but our troops are in temporary
military occupancy of Manila under the
terms of the protocol. If they have attacked
the United States forces they have done so
in violation of the protocol, or aTmistice,
between Spain and the United States, for
which. if It were worth while. we might hold
Spain responsible in some way which ] do
not undertake to suggest. The attack indi-
Gates that the natives are not friendly TO the
United States and that if we undertake to
retain control there we shall for some time
have the same difficulties which Spain has
encountered. If we owe the natives any OBJ
legation at the present time they do not
seem to appreciate our method of discharg-
ing it. The affair emphasizes the Importance
of our being rid of the responsibility thrown
on us as soon as we can possibly dispose
OF it,"
Senator Lindsay, who will vote for the
treaty, said: ITO my mind it would have
been better if there could have been an
earlier disposition of the treaty by the Sen
ate, for think a collision would have been
prevented by ratifying the treaty. We have
never acknowledged the independence of the
Filipino government and the United States
forces are lawfully at Manila. OF course
we will defend ourselves from attack no
matter whence it comes. 1t is difficult to
say what effect the trouble at Manila may
have upon the Senate's action with respect
TO the treaty. Senators on both sides of the
question of ratification may be rendered the
more determined by the occurrence. In law.
until the treaty shall have been ratified, the
FIlipinos are Spaniards and particularly in
the present circumstances are our enemies"
HARRIS FOR THE TREATY.
Senator Harris. who has been generally
regarded as in the doubtful list in the vote
on the treaty. said: Il announced several
days ago that l expected to vote for the
treaty. and l only regret that votes could
not have been secured before the battle at
Manila occurred, as 1 think such action
would have had a tendency to pacify the
natives and keep them quiet. The Fuipinos
are a people of peculiar temperament. and
they would have been impressed by prompt
action on the part of the Senate. OF course.
there is nothing to do now in Manila but TO
stand our ground and take the best care
of our forces there that is possible
Senator Cullom. a member of the commit
tee on foreign relations and a supporter of
the treaty. said: tThe hghting at Manila
Is a very serious affair, and am sorry that
1t occurred, but 1 am gratifed that our
army was able to more thar hold it's own.
There is only one thing to do, and that is
TO stand our ground. AMI IL more troops
are needed, the government ought TO send
them promptly. Until the treaty is ratified
we are technically at wal with Spain. and
our army was sent to the Philippines as one
means Of %conquering Spain. Probably the