New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-15
THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY.
TO RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF THE
FILIPINOS.
TWO JOINT RESOLUTIONS DEFINING THE
PARTY's ATTITUDE INTRODUCED
IN THE HOUSE.
IN THE HOUSE.


Washington, Dec 1.-two joint resolutions were
introduced in the House to-day by Representative
Williams, OF Mississippi which are the result OF
conferences among a number Of Democratic leaders,
and are understood to express their position on the
Philippine question. The first is as follows;
Whereas. The hope has been held out that the the
Eilipnos now wasins war against ,11on .ns would ay
down their arms II authortatively assured tnat !.
of the United States ultimately grant to the peo-
pie Of that island their independence ana the a"so
Lutte control Of their domestic aairs aho ,ba Govern
ment and of the American people, who do not pc
eye In wars wars Of conquest or nsvs fTeoenty de-
clared their horror thereof; now; therefore %
Resolved. BY the Senate and House or repre-
sentatves in Congress assembled; ... ,
Section I. That II has always been our intent ana
Filipnos to sef-government and national inde moe,
pendence. and that in pursuance Thereon we & smai'
make formal recognition OF these rights and with
draw land and sea forces upon the estaoIsn-
ment of peace and the inauguration or consutuIo conI
tional government or governments. by the people
OF the islands or any Of them, provided the SAID
Government agrees or the said governments agree
to refund the s2OO0Ooo which paid by us to me
Queen OF Span to give us in fee simple; with right
of sovereignty vested in u.s. place suitable ior a
stations and to grant the American people in per-
petu the right Of free access to all & OF their 0 poc
full or missionary pursuits ,a.o ora
counsel in the work OF inaugurating such a move
ment. -,
Sec pledee
friendly manifestation toward the United states
any foreign interference aggression for the perod
of ten years from and after the estaplsmnien. t O
and people of said islands shall surrender into our
keeping during that period the entire question o.
their foreign relations, and shall pay the expenses
10 which we may be put for such troops as snail at
the request Of said government be kept on nn pnIilP
nine territory OF such ships and civil forces as
NAV be kept In the Philippine or adjacent waters
for the purposes OF the protection herein promsed
The other resolution asks for information reia-
tive to the conclusion Of treaty with the Sultan
OF Sulu and is as follows:
Whereas. The Constitution of the United states
provides that neither slavery nor involuntary
shar exist within the United States or any place
subject to their Jurisdiction; and ~ n.u,
Whereas The Island Of Suu, OF the Philip
pine group is and has been for some tne o{ vreee
g, Snain 0 and the United States within the United
States or subject to their jurisdiction; and ,,,
bt eayerv does actually exist in said islands, and
whereas 1t is Furthermore currently rePOroeu % oSi
and believed that It exists by the connyance or ex
nress agreement OF the Federal authorities there-
loEe PsIvad nv the House of Representatives, That
tho President be and he Is hereby requested. II IN
his opinion compatible with the public interest TO
transmit to the House sueh n1d,ng ofcisi doc
ments agreement or conventions entered INTO oy ,
and between the authorities civli or "a s;,,y
bis agents or representatives; and be 1t further
Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee OF IT tns Is
and report upon the legal and constitutional as
poets OF our Governmental relations to the people
~ the Phiippine Islands and especially 10 those or
them in the group hitherto or now ruled by the
so-called sultan OF suu and to determine and re e.
said committee the said Islands within the turs-
dction of the United States and II in the lurisdic-
zion Of the United States whether or not the con-
stjuonaI prohibition OF slavery and the statutory
prohibition Of polygamy do or do not apply to them
Federal offcials in all their acts and conduct in
Connection with the government Thereon.