Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-12
Upon the New Problem of the
Philippines.
TREATY WILL BE RATIFIED
Future Developments Will Play an
Important Part in the Set
tling Of the Question.

New York, Jan. PA dispatch to the
Herald from Washington says: The diff
ficulties with which the United States is
confronted in being called upon without
any previous experience to administer a
distant question is fully appreciated by
the administration and by senators and
representatives
I'VE are simply drfting,' said Senator
Hanna. I'VE are waiting for the ratif-
cation of the pending treaty; then we will
be IN position to consider the form of
government for the Philippines. Some
are talking of a military protectorate and
the opponents of the treaty are claiming
that by ratifyng the treaty we annex the
Philippine islands and the natives at
once become citizens of the United States
am frank to confess that l am not pre-
pared to say what form of government l
prefer there, but 1 do believe the condi-
tions in the islands will be greatly i'm
proved by prompt ratification of the
treaty"
Senator Platt of New York said:
II have not heard any friend of the
treaty state what form of government is
to be established in the Philippines. 1t is
difficult problem to face under existing
conditions. l am inclined to favor such
form of government as we are endeav-
ormg to build up in Cuba We cannot
| turn the islands back to Spain and we
are bound to give aid and comfort to the
people until we can decide whether or not
they are capable of governing them
selves"
| Vice President Hobart, who is in close
touch with the president on thesubject,
said:
| Future developments will play an i'm
portant part in deciding this vexed ques-
tiOn. Itsmay 4beadvisable after all the
circutfistances are taken into considera-
ton to deal with the Philippines as we
propose to deal with Cuba We have Ger
| tain responsibilities imposed upon us by
| the result of the war and after we ratify
the treaty we will have ample time to
! consider what form of government will
best meet the conditions. For my part, I
am undecided. at present as to what
, course we should finally pursue in the
Philippines
Senator Lodge remarked:
For my part l am confident the Amer
lean people are capable of meeting any
emergency which may arise. Whether we
will establish protectorate or allow the
Philippines to set up an Independent form
of government or create some other form
on
Senator Allen of Nebraska favors the
establishment of a joint protectorate in
the Philippines and says:
Il suggest that we might assist them
in establishing a form OF government
something in line with the present gov
| ernment of Samoa although l would not
advocate the setting up of a king"
Senator Teller of Colorado, who favors
expansion and will vote for the ratifica-
ton of the treaty, says he favors the es-
Establishment of an Independent form of
government in the Philippines. He would
have the United States exercise supreme
control over the islands until the natives
demonstrate their ability to maintain an
independent republic and then the United
States should exercise some sort of gov
ernment over the islands.
Senator Morgan of Alabama, says he
would favor the establishment of a civil
military form of government in the Phil
ippines under the control of the United
States until the natives have demonstrate
ed their ability to govern themselves. At
are CAPABLE of self government and until
that question is fully determined the
United States is in duty bound and is ex-
pected by the nations of the earth to ex-
ercise virtual protectorate over the is-
lands.