The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-05
SENATOR CHlLTON'S IDEA
GIVE THEM THE MORAL SUP
PORT WE GAVE LIBERIA.
NONE WOULD DARE ATTACK THEM THEN
Mr.. Chiffon Also Urged an Amendment TO the
Treaty Declaring that We DO mol Mean
TO Occupy the Philippines
Permanently,


EcfhidhCNNJs
Washington, Feb. 4.-This was an
other day of expansion oratory IN the
Senate. In the open session the
speakers were Mr.. Chiffon, (Texasl,
and Mr.. Wolcott, (Colorado) Mr.. Chill
ton made a constitutional argument in
support of the Vest resolution. Mr..
Wolcott made an eloquent-almost inn
passioned-appeal to the Senate for the
ratification of the peace treaty. At the
conclusion of his brief address he was
accorded the compliment of hearty APP
plause.
At the beginning of today's session
Mr.. Alien, (Nebraska), offered resolu
tlon to the effect that it is the intention
and purpose of the Senate in ratifying
the treaty OF Paris to place the inhabi-
tants of the Philippine Islands and Por-
to Rico in exactly the same position as
respects their relations to the United
States as are the inhabitants Of Cuba.
Mr.. Allen gave notice that he would
address the Senate upon the resolution
on Monday
Mr.. Chiffon then addressed the Sen
tAtC. Lit aSStIleu lndl He WIS not dH
anti-anneXationist or anti-expansioaIst
Within proper limits he regarded It as
the duty of this country to widen It's
bounds. He thought the acquisition of
Porto Rico and the island of Guam rs
well enough, but in the acquisition Of
the Philippines a grave public policy
was involved. He believed such acqui-
sition involved serious perils and tnat
HaJararr IN fstrr nd ,gAi
tations would constantly menace US. He
did not regard the annexation of the
Philippines as at all similar to that Of
Louisiana, California and other terri
tory now a part of the United States
His belief was that if we took the Phil
ippines and they became a part of this
country our people would never cease
to regret it.
Mr.. Chiffon said if our operations
We're confined to Porto Rico and CUBA,
we would need no increase in the stand
ing army, but if the Philippines we're
taken we should require an army Of
100000 men to subjugate the scattered
and turbulent elements in the islands
and pensions would be piled on pensions.
He declared his belief that tho Supreme
Court would hold that Congress mad no
power to prevent the FiiipInos from
passing from one part of the country
to another. But even if the inhabitants
were shut out their products would not
be and could not be.
Mr.. Foraker Ohio, interrupting Mr..
Chiffon, called his attention TO auehori-
ties for the statement that it would be
competent for any State of the Union
to protect itself i'll any way it saw fit,
by levying import duties on imporfations
from the Philippines.
This point was sharply controvartcd
by Mr.. Chiffon, he declaring 1t was GER
tainly not true. He said that the tabor
ing people had caught the alarm and
read a letter which he had received
from the National Cigar Makers Tn
ion urging Congress not to annex fhc
Philippines on the ground that il would
demoralize the labor market Of this
country.
Mr. Chiffon said he would do with the
Philippines what the United States had
done with the Republic Of Liberia on
the coast of Africa. Liberia took its
independent position as a sort of off
shoot from the United States and had
been given moral protection by the Unit
ed State. With such an arrangement
no European Government would dare
TO Interfere with the independent gov
ernment of the Philippines.
In conclusion Mr.. Chiffon urged an
amendment to the treaty declaring III
effect that we did not propose to main.
tain permanent possession of the Phil
ippines. That would assuredly ratify the
treaty.
At the conclusion of Mr.. ChiIton's
speech Mr.. Wolcott was recognized
He attempted no discussion OF the pend
ing resolution but urged the ratifica-
tion of the treaty on purely moral and
patriotic grounds
IL the commissioners appointed by the
President had presented TO the Senate a
treaty yielding up the Philippine Islands
he would have felt it his duty to ratify
their action if they had in the treaty
held only coaling station he would have
felt bound equally to support their ac-
tion.
In their WISDOM" said he, "they have
brought to us a treaty providing for the
taking Of the entire Philippine group and
see before me my duty TO assist Il
the ratification Of that action. The
commissioners appointed by the prcsi
dent were men eminent in character ant
ability. They have brought back treaty
with Spain by which we may deal Will
the F'ilipinos as Congress hereafter may
wisely determine. Yet we stand her