The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-06

the treaty, says: ITO my knowledge
it would have been better if there had
been an earlier disposition of the treaty
by the Senate, for l think a collision
would have ben prevented by ratifying
the treaty. We have never acknowl-
edged the independence of the Filipino
Government and the United States
forces are lawfully at Manila. OF
course, we will defend ourselves from
attack no matter when It cores 1t
Is difficult to say what effect the
trouble at Manila may have upon the
Senate'S action with respect to the
treaty. Senators on both sides Of the
question of ratification may be rem
dered more determined by the occur
renee. In law, until the treaty shall
have been ratified, the FilipinoS are
Spaniards, and particularly in the
present circumstances, are our
enemies"
Senator Harris; who has been gen
orally regarded as on the doubtful list
in the vote on the treaty, said: Il an
nounced several days ago that 1 ex-
pected to vote for the treaty, and / only
regret that the votes could not have
been secured before the battle at
Manila occurred, as ] think such action
would have had tendency to pacify
the natives and keep them quiet The
Filipinos are a people of peculiar tenn
permanent and they would have been
impressed by prompt action on the part
of the Senate. OF course, there is
nothing to do now in Manila but to
stand our ground and take the best
care of our forces there that is pos
sible.''
Senator Cullom, q member of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and a
supporter of the treaty said:
1.-The fighting at Manila is a very
serious affair and 1 am sorry that it
occurred, but / am gratified that our
army was able to more than hold it's
own. There is only one thing to do
and that is to stand our ground, and
if more troops are needed, the Govern
ment ought to send them promptly.
Until the treaty is ratified we are
technically at war with Spain, and our
army was sent to the Philippines as
one means of conquering Spain. Prob
ably the attack was made by Aguin-
aldo and his followers in the hope of
influencing the Senate of the United
States to defeat the treaty. 1t ought
to be regarded by every patriotic
should be ratified without a days de-
lay. In my judgment the insurgents
have been induced to make this attack
for the purpose of influencing public
opinion in the United States in favor of
the withdrawal of our army from the
ISLANDS. But 1t seems TO me IndI 1t
must have an exactly opposite effect.
1 have not now, and have not had,
much patience with the course pursued
by the opposition to the treaty be-
cause I believe it would bring forth just
what has occurred. The fight ought
to have the effect Of securing the rati-
fication of the treaty, and l hope it
will"
Senator Morgan. member of the
Committee on Foreign Relations and a
supporter of the treaty from its intro
duction into the Senate, said: II have
known for several days that it was the
opinion of the best informed men in
Washington that Aguinaldo's agent,
Agoncillo, had cabled to his principal
informing him that vote would be
taken on the treaty on Monday, at the
same time advising him to precipitate
hostilities previous to the time set for
the ballot. I have not been at. liberty
to mention this fact to my colleagues
in the Senate because it came to me in
a way that made 1t a secret confidence.
The attack upon our forces Is, there
fore, no disappointment to me.