The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-28

Philippine question. He said that the
milk In the cocoanut Of the opposition
TO this bill was its increase In the mani
festation Of federal authority.
Amy articulation Of the national spirit
is regarded By some people as the voice
OF tyranny said he, "but II q patriotic
manifestation of Federal authority OF
assertion of the national spirit Is q thrsat
at personal liberty and menace at our
Institutions, then the very existence OF
the national spirit must be nm inherent
evil | have not lived long enough TO
learn anything in the history of the ex-
pioits OF American soldiery or of their
service to justify that suspicion which Is
cast upon the regular army OF tho United
States by the imputa'ion that IL could
ever be used as menace to the liberties
of American citizenship.
Ibid there ever issue from the lips, now
closed In everlasting love and fame In
that silent mausoleum by the Hudson
any word of menace to future citizen !:
any thought save peace; any oracle save
liberty aud unionp The lonely graves
of regulars dot the western plains, I'M
lettered and OBSCURE. Can IL be possible
that In those sepulchres Of silence gentle
men hear echoes Of dead voices menacing
our libertiess"
Mr.. Cousins mentioned in eulogistic
terms the many notable exploits Of Anne
"In all the years of toll and strife and
victory that make the history of our re-
public great the regular army has been
its shield and buckler.'
Mr.. Fitzgerald, Democrat Of Massachu-
sets, closed the general debate in oppo-
sition TO the bin. He antagonized the
proposition to increase the size of the
army and warmly opposed the annexa-
ton of the Philippines He advocated
for the Filipinos the liberty ana fndepen-
dence which were to be granted to the
Cubans.
In the course of his remarks he de-
clared that there was an element In this
country which was supporting imperial
ism because 1t was backed by England.
England. said he, never has been our
friend until she needed Us as sne did now
in the Partition of China. But. he de-
clared, no administration and no party
would dare adv .cate an alliance with
England for the subjugation of people
should 1t beattempted the strsngth of the
people who had suffered from British
misrule would be felt at the ballot box.
Mr.. Hull. In charge Of the bill, closed
for his side.
The number of enlisted men provided
for in the bill, he said, was basel not up
on the personal view OF the members OF
the committee, hut the authoritat I've ex-
ground, In Cuba, the evacuation COM
mission had declared that 600 soldiers
were necessary, not necessary TO enforce
order but to insure peace and tranquility
without bloodshed. In Manila the COM
manding general 30 days ago had oabled
that 10000 men would be enough, but
within the last month he had Increased
that estimate to $1,000 The knowledge
there that public opinion WAS divided
in this country and the impression that
prevailed there that the admin stration
might be- turned down hail multiplied the
dangers there. The COMMITTEES believed
the maximum should be placed ut 100,
600 but was willing to agree, in view
Of the opposition that absolute provision
be made Tor only 30, 600, giving the Pres
ident the discretion to increase the army
up to LOG. 600. Congress had an abiding
faith in the President, aud hs could be
trusted. In his hand3 should be placed
the power to maintain the sovereignty
of tho United States wherever our flag
had been carried. until Congress shoald
finally determine what should be done
This ended the general debate and the
bill was read for amendment under the
fve-minute rule
Speaking TO pro-forma amendment,
Mr. Shafroth OF Colorado, argued that
there could be no justification for au
thorizing large permanent increase OF
the army for what was admitted, Ger
tainly so far rs Cuba was concerned TO be
"a temporary condition.
The first vote WAS taken upon the COM
mittee amendment 10 Increase the mum
Der of chaplains from 80 to 40, and 1t was
carried, Us to 35.
Mr.. Hay, Democrat OF Virginia. offered
the following amendment:
Provided that Jhs increase of the regu
lar army beyond what it was before the
war with spain shall only be used in
L II. t1r.W.t 4taa
Hawaiian islands and the Badrones and
provided further that said increase, both
officers and men. shall be mustered out
of the service within two years or sooner,
II the exigencies permit Mir. Hay de-
clared that MI. Hull had abandoned the
bill brought into the House by offering
to reduce the proposed increase of the
army by so. QUO men. Mr.. Hull opposed
the Hay amendment on the ground that
IL was temporarily expedient. MIR. Cox
Democrat of Tennessee, inquired what
would be done with the proposed army.
1--WE are going to place 1t where the
chief executive needs II TO uphold the
sovereignty and authority of the United
States" replied MIR. hull.
This brought out speech from MIR.
Democrat of Mississippi, criti-
cising this policy of forcibly exerting our
sovereignty and authority and Of char
acterizing the Filipinos as rebels
Mr.. cannon, heDuuiichn Vi liHuols,
spoke for the bill. Tho war with spain.
he said, brought responsibilities which
could not be avoided.
As TO the tree I MIR. Cannon made an
Indirect intimalion OF an extra session
by saying the treaty would be ratified
either on February or else by March l.
"And after the treaty is ratified, ex-
claimed MIR. Cannon, Wen hold the
until the Congress of the
United States has knowledge, wisdom
and patriotism enough TO say, what We
will do with them
MIR. Hays amendment was voted down,
% to IL
. MIR. Mcclellan, Democrat OF New York,
then offered an amendment to strike nut
the adjutant generals and inspector gen
erals department and create IA regular
staff. The amendment was lost without
MIR. Lacey moved to strike out the
provision for q lieutenant general The
rank of lieutenant general. he said had
been reserved for officers who pre-
distinguished themselves.