The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-06
Vote on the Peace Con-
Vention Occurs in the
Senate To-Day.
Many Statesmen Declare That
Delay in Action Is the Cause
Of the IDsurgeDt Attack.

give assurance to these people of our
good faith and thus make them our
friends even under these trying cir
cumstances. We should even now with
draw our military forces and allow
them to establish a military govern
ment of their own"
Senator Pettigrew said in his opin-
ion the fighting would not delay a vote
on the treaty. The opponents of the
treaty, he said, had counted thirty
three votes as opposed to ratification.
but had lost one of them, and he could
not say whether the latest news would
cause any other changes.
Senator Elkins, who has been very
active in favor of the treaty, expressed
the opinion tonight that enough votes
would be found to ratify 1t. This
morning he said he did not see where
they were to come from, but he has
had information since indicating that
one or two wavering Senators would
find in the conflict which has occurred
at Manila an excuse to vote for the
treaty. Senator Elkins said that the
position of Aguinaldo was perhaps log
zeal with the treaty unratified. as Spain
had gotten out and the United States
did not take possession, so Aguinaldo
says: Il am here and will take DOS
session" The Senator. added that the
only thing to do was to ratify the
y
of the Philippine Islands.
Senator Hale, one of the Republican
opponents of the treaty in the Senate.
could not be seen.
Senator Martin of Virginia. who is
one of the opponents of the treaty.
said: 1.-The news from Manila will not
have any effect on the treaty. No man
will change his mind on this account.
1t cannot affect the status in the Sen
ate"
Senator Teller, who has from the first
been stanch supporter of the treaty,
said: Our army is in Manila by right
of conquest and under the laws of war.
We are justified in maintaining our DO
sition there against all who may attack
us. I have been uneasy in regard TO
the situation ever since L saw that
Aguinaldo had been authorized by his
so-called Congress to declare war upon
the United States. There was never
any danger of the United States max
ing an attack upon the Fflipinos. but
there has been danger from the outset
that they not knowing the conditions
here and laboring under excitement.
would make an assault upon our FORCES.
But under the circumstances the Gov
eminent has been poWerlesS TO 90 any
thing to prevent the present serious
combination of affairs in Manila. I'm
der the laws of nations the Philippine
people are citizens of Spain, and. or
course, there is nothing to do but nght
them until they surrender and BRING
them to a sense of their position. 1t is
impossible now for our Government TO
withdraw. If it has not troops enough
to subdue the insurgents we must send
enough. The occurrence Will not pre-
vent our doing justice by the Fflipinos
in the end. but it certainly postpones
the establishment of government
there for the present. l think II most
unfortunate that the peace treaty was
not ratified the first week after II came
to the Senate I don't suppose that the
islanders have read the speeches which
have been made in the Senate predict
ing the wicked things this Government
would do in case of the ratification or
the treaty, but have no DOUBT the oe-
Law has had the effect or causing the
opinion among the natives that our
Government would be embarrassed DIV
tho sentiment of the American people.
and that this condition of affairs has
tended to complicate matters. l think
# very much to be regretted that the
attack on the treaty has assumed
political aspect"
Senator Frye, member OF the Peace
Commission and supporter OF the
treaty. said: The condition is what
have been predicting every day since
the discussion of the treaty began. Inc
absurd compliments that have peen
beonad unon Aguinaldo and the delay
in ratifyinE the treaty have had the
effect of encouraging him TO make an
attack before re-enforcements from
the United States could arrive at
Manila. If the treaty had been prompt
lv ratified it is my opinion that the
Philippines would have been as quiet
and peaceful to-day as are the United
States. 1 had fully expected that the
rejection of the treaty would be fol
lowed by an attack upon our forces In
Manila, and it has come only lew
days in advance OF the time expected
AS for our status in the Philippines, we
are in Manila and Manila Bay by vir-
fue of the prc ocol and under well es-
tahlished principle of international law.
we have a perfect right to defend
Manila and ourselves If attacked. l
said last night in Philadelphia that 1
exnected lust such news as we have
received, and it has come even in adj
vance of the time l counted upon"
Senator Rawlins, whose vote has
heen counted as unfavorable to the
treat ? but who has been regarded as
doubtful. said: Our status in the
Philippines. as 1 understand 1t, Is this:
The inhabitants of the island still owe
allegiance to the Spanish kingdom, but
our troops are in temporary military
occuuancy of Manila under the terms
of the protocol If they have attacked
the United States forces they have done
SO in violation of the protocol, or armis-
tice between Spain and the United
States, for which, if it were worth
while, we might hold Spain response
BILE in some way which do not under
take to suggest. The attack indicates
that the natives are not friendly to the
United States and that If we undertake
to retain control there we shall, for a
time, have the same difficulties which
Spain has encountered. If we owe the
natives any obligations at the present
time, they do not seem to appreciate
our method of discharging it. The af-
fair emphasizes the Importance OF our
being rid of the responsibility thrown
upon us as soon as we can possibly dis
pose of it,
Senator Lindsay. who will vote for