The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-13
Administration Boss Has No Policy
Concerning Philippines.
OPINION OF SENATOR'S
GENERAL ENDORSEMENT OF w.
j. BRYAN'S PoIdCY.
Republicans as Well as Democrats
Favor Ultimate Independence of
the Islands-Vice President Ho--
bart, Like Hanna, Does Not Know
What to Think About It.

New York, Jan. PA dispatch t.
the Herald from Washington says: The
difficulties with which the United State.
/ is confronted in being called upon
without any previous experience, to ad.
minister distant questions, is fully ap.
preciated by the administration and b5
senators and representatives
I'VE are simply drifting" said Sena-
| tor Hanna. I'VE are waiting for the
ratification of the pending treaty; then
| we will be in a position to consider the
| form Of government for the Philip
pines. Some are talking of a military
protectorate, and the opponents of the
| treaty are claiming that by ratifying
the treaty We annex the Philippine is
lands and the natives at once become
citizens OF the United States.
L am frank to confess that 1 am not
prepared to say what form of govern
ment [ prefer there, but L do believe
the conditions in the islands viii be
greatly improved by a prompt ratifica-
ton Of the treaty."
Senator Platt Of New York said: 81
! have not heard any friend of the treaty
state what form of government is to be
established in the Philippines 1t is a
| difficult problem to face under exist
ing conditions. 1 am inclined to favor
such a form Of government as we are
endeavoring to build UP in Cuba We
cannot turn the islands back to Spain,
and we are bound to give aid and COM
fort TO the people until we can decide
whether or not they are capable of gov
erning themselves"
Vice President Hobart, who is in close
touch with the president and all of the
administration senators on this subject,
said: Future developments will play
an important part in deciding this
vexed question. It may be advisable,
after ali the circumstances are taken
into consideration, TO deal with the
Philippines as We propose to deal with
Cuba.
I'VE have certain responsibilities i'm
posed upon Us by the result of the war,
and after we ratify the treaty we will
have ample time to consider what form
of government viii best meet the con-
ditions. For my part, I am undecided
at present as to what course we should
finally pursue in the Philippines"
Senator Allen of Nebraska, faVorS the
establishment of joint protectorate in
the Philippines, and said:
Il suggest that we might assist them
in establishing a form of government,
something in line with the preEent gov
eminent of Samoa. although I would
not advocate setting up a king"
senator Teller OF Colorado, VINO IA
vors expansion and will vote for the
ratification of the treaty, says he IA
vOrs the establishment of an indeDend-
ent form of government in the Philip
pines. He would have the United
States exercise supreme control over
the islands until the natives demon
strate their ability to maintain an in
dependent republic and then the United
States should exercise some sort OF a
government over the islands.
Senator Morgan of Alabama says he
would favor the establishment of a civil
or military form of government in the
Philippines, under the control of the
United States until the natives have
demonstrated their ability to govern
themselves. At present We have no as
surance that they are capable of self
government, and until that question is
fully determined the United States is in
duty bound and is expected by the ma
tons of the earth to exercise a virtual
protectorate over the islands.