Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-01-12
IS It SEMI.OFFIC|AL2
Statement of the Presidents
Philippine Policy Made
by Foraker
CAUSES EoAR TO OFFER THANKS.


porary-Not To BE Held by Force CT
| yiOlence-FIipinos Themselves to Have
Much to Do with the DecIsion-Progress
Of the Organization Sf Law and Order IN
| Havana and Cuba.
| Washington. Jan. IA climax was
Reached yesterday in the debate on the
| question Of expansion which is ir prog
| ress IL the senate. Heretofore a.! 0f tire
| Specifies, with the notable exception Of
that Of PIatt Of Connecticut, have been
| in opposition to what Is presumed to be
TIE policy of the administration wi;h
| respect TO the acquisition OF the Philip
| pines. Yesterday Foraker addressed
| thc senate in opposition 20 the deciara-
t!Cn Of the Vest resolution that the
United States has 10 constitutional
power to acquire foreign territory TO
oe maintained as colonies. Much of his
speech was devoted TO a constitutional
argument il support of the right e this
country as q nation to acquire and gov
ern outlying territory, ana gave par
ticUiar attention 70 the utteraECes that
nave been in ccrtravertion OF that po-
sitiOa. especially those Cf Vest and
HOGr.
Position Taken by Foraker.
Foraker Is at his best in running
fire of debate. ard the frequency of liz
terrUptiODs yesterday afforded him
ample opportunity to eiuCidatc his argu-
ment 70 the best advantage. He laid
down the broad proposition that to
adopt the Vest resolution was to declare
that our fathers had brousht forth .
nation that was inferior 10 all other
nations. regardless OF the generally ac-
ceptcd idea tuat enc nation was the
equal OF another and all equally re-
strictei. He maintained that the right
20 acquire territory was an inherent
right of nationality, and that as we
have the right TO make war and u
enter into treaty agreements il fol-
lows logically that we have the power
70 acquire territory by conquest and to
assume the responsibilities that may
accrue therefron.
Important Feature CT the Speech.
But it was Foraker's strong assertion
that the acquisition Of the Philippines
was temporary in character that Gre
ated a sensation i'll the chamber. He
maintained, however, that we have q
legal right 10 hold the islands per-
EanenIy.
Then we are to understand TIE state
ment that the American flag is not to
lie hauled down" said Hoar. not to
mean that we are 70 hold perpetua!
domain. If the people f The Philippines
believe their happiness can best lie Sc
cured by se!f-Ea veIEmeat they are tC
be Eivcnan opportunity 20 govern them
selves"
With tae determination of the uitf-
mate policy resp citing the Philippines"
replied Foraker. their feelings will
have much 20 do. No one SO far as
am able 20 learn is prepared Ly force
and violence to take and hold thsm.
am wiling TO trust the administration. I
nave 10 sympathy With Those who tax
than / had with those who talked of
making war on Gomez"
Hoar Returns TI,aniSs to God.
Thank God for that" nurmured
Hoar from his seat. but in a voice audi
Die through tha chamber.
Il repeat" continued Foraker. shat
we had four choices as to what we
should do. and ! aiEiftn that The. presi-
dent acted wisely. II "a now fo~ con-
gross To investigate whether the Fill
pinos are capable OF scIf-govsrnn1ent
and whether they desire self-Govern-
nent. We VIII know in a short time
what the feeling OF the population OF
the island Is. Then We can act intell;-
gently and I know we viii act justly"
IN conclusion Foraker said he would !
rlaCe in tha record the recent Tr0clarna-
:iCn Cf The president 10 the insurgents |
as declaration of the spiri; and pur- !
pose Of the United States.
Bacon OF Georgia and Allen Of Ne
braska introduced resolutions. in brief !
declaring that the acquisition Of the |
Philippines against the wishes OF the |
people thereof. O.. aggressive warfare |
2 aCa inst those people would be wrong !
ard urwarranted.