Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-28
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Senator Frye MinLieiy Explains Doings Of the
Peace Commission.

Washington Jan. 21.-The Senate
continued the consideration CT tle
peace treaty in executive session, to-
day, the doors being closed for almost
three hours. Senator Frye, member
of the Paris peace commission and
naturally a strong friend OF the treaty,
held the attention Of the Senate dur
ing the entire session. but he was ire
quently Interrupted by other senators.
Most of these Interruptions came in the
way of questions, but some OF them
took the form of speeches. This was
notably the case with Senator Berry's
Interruptions. He spoke for some
time and in doing so denounced the
treaty in severe terms. Senators Nh
son and Gallery asked many questions.
Senator Frye devoted himself large
ly 10 an explanation of the proceedings
of the commission. reading literally
from the record as already printed, but
stopping as ne proceeded to explain
the quotations which he had made. He
had not proceeded a great way IN his
exposition of the subject when he was
asked II The President had not orig
inally instructed the commission To
only insist upon securing coaling sta
ton in the Philippine group. To this
Mr.. Eyre replied that he did not fee! at
liberty to give his Interpretation OF the
Presidents instructions. but IL was not
necessary that he should do SO. as the
President had, ne said. determined 10
comply partially. at least. with the
Senate's request for the documents on
file bearing upon the negotiations Of
the treaty. and Mr.. Frye said he felt
justified in assuring the Senate that
the papers would be received not later
than Monday.
Mr.. Frye devoted the principal por-
ton of his speech outside If the reading
of the report 10 an explanation of why
the Philippine archipelago was included
in The cessation to the United States.
He was asked why these islands were
not placed in the same class as Cuba,
the sovereignty over this island being
made over to United States and replied
that the difference was made because
in the case of Cuba the commission was
acting under instructions from Con-
gress. He was reminded that the Fill
pinos professed TO be fighting for free
dom just as the Cuaans We're and that
they would still contend for their own
independence.
One senator reminded him of the
representations Of Aguinaldo's Ameri-
can agent, Agoncillo. and asked If he
meant To force the Filipino people 10
actual hostlities, to which Mr.. Frye
retorted that it was the opposition
which was forcing continuance Of the
state of war and which would be re-
sponsibie for hostilities if they should
occur. AS for himself. however. he did
not know the Filipinos in the transac-
| ton. The treaty, he said should have
been ratified 10 days ago, and if it hal
| been. all danger of war with the people
of the Philippines would have been
/ averted.
| commissioners did not know when they
made the treaty and whether he did
| not now know. that the natives of
these islands We're then as now de-
mandng their independence. In re-
| Spouse Mr.. Frye repeated that the conf
mission had dealt with Spain regarding
the Filipinos as subjects of that coun-
I try. Spain had lost in the conflict Of
war. and hence the United States had
| i perfect right. according to the law
! Of nations, to acquire any par, of her
possessions or people in adjusting the
| balances after the war was over
| senator Berry. in his speech. declar
| ed that the acquisition Of the islands
| was merely a speculative scheme con-
| tanning more of the elements of land
grabbing than of patriotism and phi
/ lanthrophy.