Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-20
TO FORCE A POLICY
Plans of Those Who Are Opposing
the Peace Treaty.
WANT 4 DECLARATION ON PHILIPPINES
An Anti -uExpansionist Democrat
Claims Votes Enough.
READY TO VOTE, HE SAYS

The plan of the democrats in the Senate
who are resisting the ratification of the
peace treaty is to compel a declaration of
policy with respect to the Philippines by
the administration or by the advocates of
the treaty in the Senate. 1t is realized by
everybody that the purposes of the admin
istration with respect to the Philippines win
not be defeated by the failure of the treaty
at this session of Congress. Inconvenience
and embarrassment would probably result
from the delay, and the interests of the
country demand that the restoration OF
peace should be completed as soon as pos
sibie, but that ratification of the treaty
would follow speedily upon the assembling
of the new Senate is conceded.
1t does not appear, therefore, what sub
stantiai advantage the anti-expansionists
can get by delaying action. 1t is obvious
that they are not inspired by any hope of
being able to secure the rejection OF the
treaty either at this session or later on,
put that their purpose is to compel dec
laration of the policy of the government.
No Issue on Ratification.
They are very compactly organized and
the leaders insist that they Will hold out
and that the treaty cannot be ratified at
this session until the advocates of the
treaty have committed themselves to some
definite policy. But it is intimated that
when this policy has been fully defined, no
matter what II may be, vote on the rati-
fication of the treaty can be had, without
further delay, and it is conceded that a
vote would result in ratification.
1t is said that the democrats are not
really deslrous of making an issue of the
ratlIcatlon of the treaty, and that some of
those VINO are insisting that the poIIcy of
the government snail be revealed will not
vote against ratification whenever the vote
SC
issue with respect to the disposition of the
Philippines and in order to do this the at
tltude of the President and his supporters
must be definitely Understood.
1t is suggested that as matters now stand
the President is not actually committed to
any policy, and that those who are opposed
10 the permanent retention will be left beat
ing the air, without any concrete object of
attack IL the administration is not forced to
take position which it will adhere to.
Will He Fought in Next Senate.
1t is said that in the absence of a decla-
ration of policy, not only will the ratifica-
ton of the treaty be prevented al this ses-
sion. but will be fought as long as pos
'sible in the next Congress, and the appro-
priation of the $2046e8. $50 for the payment
OF SPAIN necessary to the carrying out of
the treaty. VIII be resisted. 1t will REQUIRE
the action Of both houses of Congress to
appropriate this money, and, therefore, If
~ u 10y "Nlt idtIHtu at an extra SGS-
SION of the Senate there would have to be
a session of both houses if it were deemed
necessary to carry out the provisions of the
treaty at once.
IL policy IN favor Of the retention of the
Philippines SHOULD be declared in behalf of
the administration tie line of bate would
be drawn aroand that question. 1t does
not require an agreement by the advocates
OF the treaty thath a resolution may be
adopted declaring against permanent pos
session in order to make the issue. A vote
might be taken on istlch q resolution and
result in its defeati which would line IN
the two sides and close the issue. 1t is not
likely that Such Sc Resolution could be
adopted IN the Senate. though il would be
stronger than any proposition to amend
the treaty.
If the anti-expansionists were strong
enough to adopt the resolution they prob
ABLY could force vote on it, but it is not
pelleVed that they have that strength In
tact, it is not thought that they have
strength enough to accomplish anything
except the embarrassment of delay.
Claims of Observation-Disclosures.
However. prominent democratic sena-
tor said today that the anti-expansionists
were ready to have vote on the treaty at
any time. He said that If the friends of
the treaty wanted it they could have a vote
today, tomorrow or at any hour as soon as
they asked IL. He said that enough votes
were pledged against the treaty To defeat
1t II it were not so modified as to contain
declaration similar TO that adopted by
the oena.e with respect to Cuba. The OBJ
position, he declared, wound not delay the