The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-12
SENSATION In THE SENATE
WHEN HE SAID THE PHILIPPINES
WOULD NOT BE RETAINED.
Acquisition of Islands to BE Tenn
pOrary, He Asserted-POpuIist Al
LENS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Resolution.


Platt, of Connecticut, have been in opposi
ton to what is presumed to be the policy
of the administration with respect to the
acquisition of the Philippines. To-day Mr..
Foraker addressed the Senate in opposition
to the declaration of the Vest resolution,
that the United States has no constitutional
power to acquire foreign territory to be
maintained as colonies. While much of his
speech was devoted to a constitutional ar
gument in support of the right of this coun-
try as a Nation to acquire and govern out
lying territory, he gave particular attention
to the utterances that have been made in
contravention of that position, especially
those of Mr.. Vest and Mr.. Hoar. Mr.. For
aker has a clear, direct and forceful style
Of oratory which commands attention, not
only by reason of the recognized ability of
the man, but also by his impetuosity and
power as a speaker He is at his best in a
running fire of debate and the frequency
CT Interruptions to-day afforded him ample
opportunity to elucidate his arguments
to best advantage He laid down the broad
proposition that to adopt the Vest resou-
tiCn was to declare that our fathers had
brought forth q Nation that was inferior to
all other nations, regardless of the gener-
ally accepted idea that one nation was equal
to another, and all equally restricted. He
maintained that the right to acquire terri
tory was an inherent right of nationality,
and that, as we have the right to make war
and to enter into treaty agreements, it fol-
lows logically that we have the power to ac-
quire territory by conquest and to assume
the responsibilities that may accrue there
from. Mr.. Forakers strong assertion that
the acquisition of the Philippines was tenn
IN, ohio n
the chamber He maintained, however,
that we have a legal right to hold the
islands permanently. Prior to the speech
by Mr.. Foraker a sharp debate was pre-
cipitated by Mr. Allen by some remarks he
made upon a resolution he had introduced.
Mr.. Hoar and Mr.. Gray were drawn into it.
Vice President Hobart presided over the
Senate to-day for the first time since the
holiday recess, having heretofore been de-
tanned at his home by attack of grip.
A bill authorizing Lieutenant Colonel Vif-
quain, of the Third Nebraska, TO accept
from the Emperor of China the decoration
of the Order of the Double Dragon for dis
tinguished services rendered, was passed.
BACON'S RESOLUTION.
Then Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia, offered the
following joint resolution.
''First-That the government and people
of the United States have not Waged the
recent war with Spain for conquest and for
the acquisition of foreign territory, but sole
ly for the purpose set form in the resou-
ton of Congress making the declaration OF
said war, the acquisition OF such small
tracts of land or harbors as may be neces-
sary for governmental purposes being not
deemed inconsistent with the same.
''Second-That in demanding and in re-
ceiving the cession of the Philippine islands
it is not the purpose OF the government of
the United States to secure and maintain
y, into A1nf of no
territory of the United States orr to incor-
porate the inhabitants thereof citizens
of the United States, or to hold said in
habtants as VassalS or subjects of this
government
"Third-Ihat, whereas at the time of the
declaration of war by the United States
against Spain and prior thereto the inhabit-
ants of the Philippine islands were active
~ engaged in a war with Spain to achieve
their independence, and, whereas, said pur
pose and the military operations hereunder
have not been abandond, but still being
actively prosecuted hereunder therefore,
in recognition Of and in obedience to the
vital principle announced in the great dec
laration that governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned the government of the United
States recognizes that the people
of the Philippine islands of a right
ought to be free and independents;
that with this view and to give effect to the
same the government of the United States
has required the government of Spain to
relinquish it's authority and government in
AN'.eNAAN@N'
land and naval forces from the Philippine
islands and from the waters thereof
'Fourth-That the United States hereby
dlsclaim any disposition or intention to eX-
ercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said islands, and assert their deter
minatiOn, when an Independent government
shall have been duly erected therein entitled
to recognition as such, to transfer to said
government, upon terms which shall be rea-
sonable and just, all rights secured under
the cessiOn by Spain, and to thereupon leave
the government and control of the islands
to their people"
Mr.. Allen offered the following resolu-
That any aggressive action by army or
navy on the part of the United States
against the Filipinos would be an act of
var unwarranted on the part of the Pres-
dent and the exercise of constitutional
powers vested exclusively in Congress-
MR.. ALIENS REMARKS.
"In submitting this resolution, Mr.. Pres-
dent said Mr.. Allen. Il desire to make
some observations, but will not enter on
a discussion of the mooted question of an
imperialistic policy, reserving that until a
later date, when l hope to present my views
quite fully. / am led to introduce this reso-
luton because the press dispatches indicate
that our troops are moving upon the people
of IloilO. L introduce it as a protest against
the waging Of war by the President and the
army and navy without the authority of
Congress. [ think it is fact indsputable
the authority of Congress through a formal
declaration. In my opinion there can be no
doubt that whatever of pOssesSOry rights we
may have in the Philippine islands we ac-
quired from Spain" Mr.. Allen then pro-
ceCded TO discuss the situation in the Phil
ippnes and finally declared that the officers
of the army and navy were pressing affairs
for war in the islands into a critical state
lie was interrupted by Mr.. Hoar, who de-
sired TO inquire Where do we get the right
to use force against the people of AlOilO2
/ would be glad to be honored by Ge at
tention OF the distinguished senator from
Delaware referring to Mr. GRAY one of the
some time in August, continued Mr.. HOar
under which we are still living with Spain
Mr.. Hoar then read from the protocol show
ing that the United States would hold the
bay harbor and city of Manila until the
disposition of the Philippine islands should
Mr.. Hoar. that we will make no advance
upon Spain or the Spanish people on the
islands until the situation shall have been
changed. If now we have the power to use
the military forces against The Ftlipinos,
where does it come fTom?"
Mr.. Gray. at whom the question of Mr.
Hoar seemed TO be directed, rose and said.
Il wish to remark that the question Of the
senator from Massachusetts answers in part
the position taken in his remarks by the
senator from Nebraska Mr.. Allen) After
pointing out the reasons why this was true,
In his opinion, Mr.. Gray said that techni-
cally we We're still at war with Spain. 1t
was true that we were living under a truce.
but in pursuing the war the President was
simply exercising the powers that had been
conferred upon him by the war-making