The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-15


oiutions were introduced in the house Of
representatives today by Representative
williams. of Mississippi, which are the r.
suit Of a consultation among number Of
Democratic leaders in the house and are
understood to be expressive OF their general
position on the Philippines.
The text OF the resolutions Is as follows:
whereas The hope has been held out
that the Filipinos now waging war against
the forces OF the United States In the
island Of Luxon would lay down their arms
II authoritatfvely assured that It was the
intention Of the government and people 0f $
the United States ultimately to grant 81
the people OF that island their Independence
and the absolute control OF their domestic
affairs, and.
.sWhereas Such is the intention Of this
government, and as the American people a.
not believe IN wars Of conquest or criminal
aggression against other peoples. and have
frequently declared their horror thereof.
now,s therefore, be II 2ss
Resolved. by the senate and house az
representatives In congress assembled:
rhilippine IBdeDenacnoe Recogntsea
section /. That it has always been our
Intent and purpose to recognizes the In
alienahle right Of the F'lipinos to sclf-
government and national Independence.
and that in pursuance thereof. we shall
make formal recognition Of thosa rights
ana withdraw our land ana sea forces for
the establishment Of peace and the iHA1G-
urat.on Of : constitutional 9overnflent or
ecvsrnhh.nts y ths people g r. l.s i.lssa g
mont aHrees, or the aAid governments
agree, 70 refund tho ez0.0O0.Ooo which was
paid by US TO the queen OF Spain. to give
us In Zee simple, with the right of SOW
efetgnty vested In N, placa suitable for
. naval station and other plAces ntted tor
coating stations. and to grant the American
people In perpetuity the sright of free Ae-
cess to all OF their ports for Foods uAr~
chandfse and persons bent on peaeeful
or missionary pursuita
Section Z We pledges our friendly ~
sistance and counsel In the work Of IN &
augurating such government.
Plsdgs - Frstect ~ Filipinss.
.'section s. We pledge oursssyas 70
treat az an unfriendly manifestation
toward the United States any foreign
interference or aggression for the period
OF ten years from and after the establish-
ment Of such a government. provided
that the government and the people OF
said islands will surrender Into our keep
ing. during that period, the entire quea-
ton of their foreign relations. and shall
pay the expense to which we may be put
for such troops as shall, ut the request OF
said government be kept on Philippine
territory. and of such ships and naval
forces as may be kept In the Philippines
or adjacent waters for the purpose OF pro-
lection herein promised"
The sulu Resolution.
The Sulu resolution Is as foilows;
whereas, The constitution OF the Unit
ed States provides that neither slavery
or involuntary ,servitude, except as pun
ishment for crime. shall exist within the
cd or n
their jurisdiction and.
"Whereas, The island of Sulu, one OF
the Philippine group, Is and has been
for some time, by virtue OF the ratifca-
ton Of the treaty of Paris between Spain
and the United States. within the United
States or subject to their 1urisdictton.
and.
Whereas, 1t Is currently reported ana
believed that II exists by the connivanco
or express agreement or the Federal nu-
thorities; therefore. be II
Resolved by the house OF representa-
tives That the president is hereby ro-
quested, II In mis- opinion compatible with
the public interests. to transmit to the
house such information as may be avail
able on the subject, including official
documents. agreements or conventions
entered into by and between the authori-
ties, civil or military. OF the United
States, and the so-called sultan Of Sulu,
his agents and representatives; be It fur-
ther
Resolved. That the judiciary commit
tee of this house be and Is hereby In
structed to investigate the report on the
legal and constitutional aspects OF our
with relation TO the people
OF the Philippine islands, and especially
to those Of them In the group hitherto
or now ruled by the so-called sultan Of
Eutu. and to determine and report to tho
house whether or not, In their opinion,
the said islands are within the juris-
diction of the United States: whether
or not the constitutional prohibition OF
slavery and the statutory prohibition OF
poiygamy do or do not apply to them
and their people. and should or should
not control Federal officials In all their
acts and conduct In connection with the
thereof