The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-24
WANTS LIMIT PLACED
SENATOR WHITE FEARFUL OF
THE GROWTH OF THE EX-
PANSION IDEA
DECLARATIONS ARE IN ORDER

Before the Peace Treaty Is Rati-
fied-Seeks an Explanation of
the SO-Called Manifest Destiny,
Which Is Frausht With Peril.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 23.-Discussion
or the policy of expansion occupied
nearly all the time of the senate in
open session today. Mr.. White, of Cali
fornia, one of the Democrats, who has
announced heretofore his opposition 10
ratncatlon of the treaty of peace, ad-
dressed the senate in support of the
anti-eXpanSion resolution introduced
by Mr.. Vest Oem., Mo- and another
resolution offered by Mr.. Bacon Dem,
Ca. declaring that the Philippines
ought to be free and independent. Mr..
White is a brilliant speaker, and he
was complimented, by his colleagues
and large audience in the galleries
with careful attention He did not en-
ter into a constitutional argument, but
confined himself to discussion of ex-
pansion as a policy OF this govern
ment. He maintained that such a pol
Icy was contrary to the fundamental
principles of this country, to it's his
tory and traditions. He declared his
opposition to the ratification OF the
intimated that declaration of definite
policy on the part of the administra-
ton would very much simplify the sit
uation, and as a matter of good faith
ought not to be antagoniZed by the
advocates of the treaty's ratification.
Mr.. White said he was opposed to the
entire policy OF expansion and that his
objections TO it were basic. He main
tanned that if this country had the
eli cI,+ ac-t a,.6 ffv.i &c hafn
the world, it was the duty Of congress
to declare definitely its position upon
the subject before proceeding further.
If said he, I'VE ratify the pend
ing treaty and take upon ourselves the
responsibility OF the Philippine islands.
there is nothing else for use to do but
subjugate them at all hazards. We
must show to the nations of the world
that we have not only a legal right,
but the physical power TO hold them"
Mr.. White inquired what this mani
fest destiny was that had been heard
so much about recently-a destiny that
insisted that this nation should do
what it ought not to do. 1t had been
maintained, he said, that wherever the
Stars and Stripes were once planted
there they must remain. but he had
heard distinguished senator say, only
recently. that that was merely a figure
a rock of absolute policy. He ridiculed
the Incorporation of a figure of speech
into the policy of a great government.
and insisted that it had no proper
place in a declaration of a solemn and
eternal policy.
Mr. White paid a high tribute to the
three senators who had beer members
OF the peace commission, and said that
nobody had a higher regard for them
he To I'D h. thn
lation of the peace treaty was largely
their work, but maintained that after
all senators must pass the work of the
commission before their own individ-
ual JUDGMENT.
WHERE is THE LIMIT?
Further along Mr. White referred to
the necessity under the proposed pol
icy of expansion, of a large standing
army, and demanded to know what
benefit was to be derived by this coun-
try from such an institution What is
the limit Of the eXDansionist? he in
CURED. We are already told, he cou-
tlnued, that the eXpansiGnists desire to
participate in the partition of China,
when that shall come, and the indica-
tions were that this country was to 90
and acquire still other territory which,
in the nature of things, would have to
be defended
At this point colloquy occurred
which was participated in by Mr.. Ma
son Gid, Mr.. Teller (Col.) and Mr.
White.
Mr.. Mason inquired if it were not
true that territory whose inhabitants
had to be forced into submission did
not always require an immense force
to keep the people in subsection.
Mr.. White did not desire evidently to
commit himself to Mr.. Mason's posi-
ton, but Mr. Teller rose ard pointed
out that the people of New Mexico
Arizona and California had been forced
at the point of guns into submission and
their consent primarily had not been
secured.
Yes" replied Mr. Mason, "but that
territory was acquired by treaty.
1T is by treaty that we propose to
acquire the Philippines" retorted Mr.
Teller.
Mr.. Mason: by a treaty with a peo-
pie who have no more right to cede the
territory than the devil had to offer to
the Savior all of the land in sight from
the mountain heights. He did not pos
sess even tax title to it."
Mr. Teller said the government could
ratify the treaty and then turn the ISL
ands over to whom we pleased within
an hour He called attention to the
fact that the treaty gave to congress
full power to deal with the matter.
Mr.. White, after adverting to some
of the remarks made by Mr. Teller,
contended that it was the duty of con-
gress to make declaration of this coun-
try's intention with respect to the
Philippines. Congress possessed the
authority to make such a declaration
in advance of its action on the treaty.
and it would be proper to make it.
Il say" said he, that if all the
declarations we have heard regarding
the islands are in good faith, and If
the Philippines and Cuba are to be
treated alike the record ought to show
it."
In conclusion Mr. White said:
1T is in the hope that we may pre-
serve forever stainless in its purity
and uncomfortable in it's integrity. the
republic Of our fathers that 1 register
here my protest against what l con-
ceive to be disastrous Innovation
The senate then, on motion of Mr..
Davis, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations. went into executive
session.
After the executive session. Mr..
Chandler called up the bill to restore
to their original status officers of the
navy and marine corps who lost their
status by reason of the promotion of
other officers by reason of conspicuous
conduct in battle.
LII