The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-05
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Mr.. Chiffon Opposes Annexation and
MIR. WOIcOtt FavOrs Expansion.


uonai argument in support Of the Vest
resolution, his principal objection to the an
nexation of the Philippines being that it
would admit to this country both the Fill
pinos and their products to come in compe-
tition with our own workingmen and their
products. His proposed solution of the
pending problem was the establishment of a
republic in the Philippines, over which the
United States would exercise such care as it
gives the republic of Liberia. Mr.. Wolcott
made an eloquent-almost impassioned-ap-
peal to the Senate for the ratification Of
the peace treaty. His tribute to the ad-
ministration for the successful conduct of
the war and to the peace commissioners for
their successful efforts in behalf of their
country was the feature of his speech. At
the conclusion of his brief address he was
accorded the compliment Of hearty applause
AT the opening of the session to-day Mr.
Allen offered the following resolution:
That the Senate of the United States in
ratifying and confirming the treaty of Paris
does not commit itself or the government to
the doctrine that the islands secured by the
war with Spain are to be annexed or to
become a part of the United States, and
that the difference in the language of said
treaty as respects the Island of Cuba and it's
inhabitants and the Island of Porto Rico
and the Philippine islands and their inhab-
itants shall not be construed or be held to
be difference in effect, but it is the in
tention and purpose of the Senate in ratify-
ing said treaty to place the inhabitants of
the Philippine islands and Porto Rico in
exactly the same position as respects their
relations to the United States as are the
inhabitants of Cuba
Mr.. Allen gave notice that he would ad-
dress the Senate on the resolution on Mon
day.
MR.. CHILTON'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Chiffon then addressed the Senate or
the various anti-expansion resolutions. He
asserted that he was not an anti-annexa-
zionist or nti-expansionist Within proper
bounds he regarded it as the duty of this
country to widen it's bounds. He thought
the acquisition of Porto Rico and the Island
Of Guam was we'll enough, but in the ac-
quisition of the Philippines q grave public
policy was involved. He believed such ac-
QUESTION involved serious perils, and that
dangers to our government and Institutions
would constantly menace us. He did not re-
gard the annexation of the Philippines as
at all similar 10 that Of Louisiana, California
and other territory now part OF the United
States His belief was that If we took the
Philippines and they became a part of this
country our people would never cease to
regret it,
Mr.. Foraker, interrupting Mr.. Chiffon at
one stage of his speech, called his attention
to authorities for the statement that it
would be competent for any State of the
Union to protect itself in any way it saw
fit by levying import duties on importations
from the Philippines
This point was sharply controverted by
Mr.. Chiffon. The laboring people Of the
country, he added, had caught the alarm,
and he read a letter he had received from
the. National Cigarmakers' Union urging
Congress not to annex the Philippines, on
the ground that it would demoralize the
labor market of this country.
Mr. Platt, of Connecticut, said he had
studied the question pretty carefully, and he
was satisfied that neither the Filipinos nor
their products could come into this country
unless Cor gress so provided.
Mr. Chiffon replied that this was merely
the opinion of Mr.. Platt, and was of no
actual force or effect He had examined the
question very carefully and had reached
the opposite conclusion.
WOLCOTT URGES RATIFICATION.
Mr.. Wolcott, who had announced a brief
speech for to-day, was next recognized
He attempted no discussion of the pending
resolutions. but urged the ratification OF the
treaty on purely moral and patriotic
grounds. 1T was not" said he, until it be-
came patent that the resolutions pending
before the Senate were being used merely
as a cloak with which to defeat the treaty
of peace, that I determined to say a few
Words His own belief was that discussion
of the treaty should take place in execu-
tive session. but senators had taken oppor-
tunity, in presenting their views upon the
resolutions, to discuss the treaty and he felt
it necessary to say something along that
line He said the war with Spain had no
charms for him. and he had walked with
perhaps, reluctant feet, along the lines of
duty marked out for him. If the commits
sioners appointed by the President had pre-
sented to the Senate a treaty yielding up the
Philippines he would have felt it his duty
TO ratify their action; if they had in the
treaty held only coaling station he would
have felt bound equally to support their
action. In their wisdom" said he. they
have brought to us treaty providing for
the taking of the entire Philippine group
and see before me my duty to assist in
the ratification Of that action"
AIteF reviewing DTlelly tHe results OF Tie
war and the negotiations leading to the ap-
pointment of the peace commission, he said: :
The commissioners appointed by the Pres
ident were men eminent in character and
ability. We may judge something of the
commission by the members of it that were
selected from this body. There is not one
man here who would not trust TO any of
them the most intricate and delicate mat
ter. They have brought back here a treaty
with Spain by which we may deal with the
Filipinos as Congress hereafter may wisely
determine. yet we stand here day after day
wrangling over resolutions of no force and
effect and which serve only to embarrass
our own people in the Philippines and af-
ford comfort to our opponents on the is
lands. There is not one of these questions
raised which may not properly be dealt
with after the treaty is ratified. We should
present a united front TO foreign foes and
dissent only on internal policy"
However much we may differ among our
selves on questions of internal policy" said
lie, I'VE ought to stand as one before for
eign foe. 1. for one, recognize a great diff
ference between treaty establishing COM
mercial relations with another nation and a
treaty bringing to a conclusion a success
full war Ii is important that we should
r,rasant an ,,nhroxen front in roeetgner a