Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-01

Bacon Tells the senate on w nat Terms
He VIII Vote for the Paris Treaty.
Washington. Feb. 1.-During almost
the entire morning hour yesterday the
senate had under discussion the policy
| of this country to be pursued in the
Philippine islands. Berry of Arkansas
discussed the policy of expansion with
out a reference to the constitutional
point Involved. He spoke from notes.
stating his objections TO the pending
treaty of peace. An attempt by Bacon
of Georgia to secure a vote upon his
resolution, which in brief declares that
the United States government will not
make war uOon a people seeking for
their freedom, precipitated a lively
debate. which was participated in by
Platt OF Connecticut, and Teller. Bacon
declared he would not vote for the
treaty unless some such declaration
were adopted by congress. To this Platt
took exception. No action was taken
On the resolution.
Berry's Rule of Action Stated.
Berry, referring to an allusion made
that he had not always earnestly sup
ported the government of the United
States. said it was true he had served
in the Confederate army. and that there
had never been q day of his life since
that ne was not proud of the service;
yet he believed that the government of
the United States under which we were
how living was the greatest on the face
of the earth. Il will never vote, how
ever he declared with great empha sis.
Ito place upon any people a policy
against which Lee fought and against
which Jackson gave up his life. 1t has
been urged that we hold those islands
and cannot release them now. That is
not true. According to the protocol We
hold only the city. bay and harbor of
Manila. The remainder of the islands
are not under our control
Philippine Situation Critical.
In discussing the matter Platt of
Connecticut said: The situation in the
Philippines is critical. Aguinaldo is in
arms. He is using arms furnished to him
by the United States. That is the stu
alton. Whom else but the United
States is he in arms against? The rat
ifcation of this treaty will give the
United States the right to say TO Aguin-
aldo: We are in control in these ISL
ands. Attack us if you dare" Further
along Plat inquired of Bacon: DO L
understand the senator will not vote
for the treaty unless this resolution is |
adopted?"
Bacon-"That is true Continuing, |
however. Bacon said he would modify |
his statement by saying that he would |
not vote for the treaty unless some |
declaration embodying the principle of |
his resolution was adopted.
Bacon Demands a "Cinch.'
I'm other words" said Platt. If that |
is the policy OF the government it must
be declared now"
To this question Bacon replied in the |
affirmative Further explaining his
position Bacon, in answer to question
by Teller, said he would not vote for the
treaty unless the resolution adopted by
the senate had also been adopted by the
house and signed by the president be-
fore the vote for the treaty was taken.
Bacon later modified this proposition.
saying II will vote for the ratification
of the treaty If the senate will pass the
resolution and the president will con-
sent to give Us favorable expression
upon it,"
Il don't know how we could get such
an expression" responded Teller.
Nor do l." said Bacon. but / am sat
isfied that we could find a means of
getting it," The executive session
practically continued this debate upon
taking up the Paris treaty.