The age-herald., 1899-01-15
Defines His Atti- tudetO The Age
 Herald. He EaNOrS Ratifi- cation As a Ne
 ceSSity.

Washington, January 14.-(Special.) )-Hon William Jennings Bryan has prepared the following statement on the Philippine ques- tion for The Age-Herald:
 "The conflict between the doctrine of self-government and the doctrines of alien government, supported by external force, has been thrust upon the American people as result of the war. It is so import ant a conflict that 1t cannot be avoided, and, since 1t deals with question now be- force congress, it must be considered im- mediately. It is useless to ask what ef- feet this new issue will have upon other is- sues. Issues must be met as they arise; they cannot be moved about at will like pawns upon a chessboard.
 'The opponents of imperialism have an opportunity to choose the ground upon which the battle Is to be fought Why not oppose the ratification of the treaty?
 Outlines His Ideas
 "First, because a victory won against the treaty would prove only temporary if the people really favor colonial policy.
 '"That victory won against the treaty would depend for it's value entirely upon the sentiment of the people is evident. A minority can obstruct action for a time, but minority, so long as 1t remains mi nority, can only delay action and enforce reflection; it cannot commit the nation to a policy
 "When there seemed some probability of the rejection of the treaty the friends of the administration began to suggest the propriety of withholding the treaty until the new senate could be convened in extra session. As the new senate will have considerable republican majority, it would be quite certain to ratify the treaty. Thus an effort to prevent the ratification of the treaty would be likely to fail In the very beginning.
 Accepts the Treaty
 "But let us suppose it possible to defeat ratification in both the present and the next senate-what would be the result? Would the imperialsts abandon the hope of annexing the Philippines so long as they could clam the support of the president and majority of both houses? Could Q minority of the senate prevent the annex ation of Hawaii? As we are now in pos session of the Philippine Islands the advo- cates of a colonial policy might secure an appropriation sufficient to pay the twenty millions agreed upon and leave the rest of the treaty for future consideration. In other words, if the opponents of imperial ism have a majority in both houses they can declare the nations policy; if the im- perialists have majority in both houses they cannot be permanently thwarted by a minority in the senate.
 Deas With tho Issue
 "A resolution declaring the nations pol icy recognizes that the destiny of the United States is in the hands of all the people and seeks to ascertain at once the sentiment of the people as reflected by the.r representatives.
 If that decision is in harmony with the policy which has prevailed in the past the question will be settled, and the people will return to the consideration of domestic problems. If, however, the advocates of imperialism either postpone consideration or control the action of congress an appeal will be taken to the voters at the next elec- tion So great a change in our national policy cannot be made unless the authority therefor comes directly and unequivocally from that source of all power in republic, the people.
 "In answer to those who fear that the question of imperialism. if discussed, will draw attention away from other questions. it is sufficient to say that the people cannot be deprived of their independence, which reaches down to the foundation principles of the republic Instead of avoiding the