The National tribune., 1899-01-19

it. We could not desert the people of the
islands. he said, and subject them TO the
risks Of disorder, anarchy, misrule and mol
rule while they might be still unfit for self
government. But our occupation was not te
be permanent.
Il do not understand that anyone desires
anything but the ultimate independence ol
the people of the Philippines" said he en-
pha,ically, 50 neither the President nor any
one in this chamber"
But what about our right if we choose to
! hold them permanently, with no thought OF
their ultimate independence?" inquired Mr..
| Hoar
We have an unquestioned right to do so, y
replied Mr. Foraker. q" / speak particularly
| Of our legal right
In the case Of the Philippines there were
complications which cannot be spoken OF
here, but OF which Senators will hear in
executive session, which justified the Presi-
| dents course III the most ample manner and
vindicates most completely everything he
has done. In fact, no other course is safe i'll
view of the object we naturally sought to
attain-iustice not only to ourselves, but to
the people of those islands,
| What Of the statement about hauling
down the American flag" interjected Mr..
| Hoar.
No one desires to retain the Philippines
| Indefinitely" reiterated Mr.. Foraker again.
The President Is as much lover of
| liberty, truth and Justice as is the Senator
from Massachusetts, and his love of liberty
goes out to the people of the Philippines as
unerringly as his.
WITH the determination Of the ultimate
policy respecting the Philippines" replied
Mr.. Foraker, their feelings will have much
to do. No one, so far as | am able to learn
is preparing by force and violence to take and
hold them. | am willing to trust the Ad-
ministralion. / have no sympathy with
those who talk of making war on Aguinaldo
any more than I mad with those who talked
of making war on Gomez.
1t is now for Congress to investigate
whether the Filipinos are capable of self
| government and whether they desire self
government. We will know in a short time
what the feeling Of the population of the
islands is. Then we can act intelligently,
and know we will act justly"
Mr. Bacon tGa. ID. J, prior to this speech,
Introduced resolution recognizing the right
of the people of the Philippines to be inde-
pendent. and declaring it as the intention of
the United States, when an independent
| Government shall have been erected, to
transfer The rights secured by the cessiOn by
Spain and leave the Government to the
people.
| Mr. Allen introduced resolution also
prior to Mr.. Foraker's speech, that ''any
aggressive action by army or navy on the
part of the United States against the
Eilipinos would be an act of war unwarranted
on the part Of the President and the exercise
of constitutional powers vested exclusively
i'll Congress"
Mr. Allen discussed the situation in the
Philippines aud declared that the officers OF
the army and navy were pressing affairs for
ward in the islands into a critical state.
The bill for the codification of the criminal
laws of Alaska was passed by the House.
An amendment was adopted providing high
license system in the Territory, with species
of local option.
The Senate spent most of Thursday in
considering the motion of Senator Berry, oi
} Arkansas, to have the discussion of the peace
treaty take place in open session. Senator
Vest supported Mr. Berry, and Senators
, Frye, Davis, and Gray all united in saying
, that their experience in formulating the
treaty had convinced them that much would
come up in considering it in the Senate,
which should not be given to the public.
II In the House DIR. Carmack (Tenn., d. J
delivered carefully prepared argument in
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