The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-28
Spanish MisruIe Causes Them to
Mistrust Our Motives.
OUR SENATORS KNOW BETTER.
They Put the Country in False Posi-
ton When They Attributed TO the
Administration q Policy or
Conquests and Aggression.
The Treaty Should be
Ratified at Once.

/ day in q BRIEF speech delivered py SShd-
tor 4. c. Platt (of New York;, on the
general subject of expansion. Mr.. Plat
took for his text the anti-expansion reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Vest (of MisourD'
but in the course Of his speech merely
touched upon the constitutional ques-
tion involved in the proposed declaration.
He spoke in a clear resonant voice, and
not only because this was the first speech
he has delivered I'm the Senate since MS
/ return to the body, but also because
the address was a thoughtful and Well
considered statement he was ACCORDED
: the undivided attention Of his colleagues
on the floor and d large audience IN the
| gallery.
Mr. Platt took strong grounds for the
| ratification OF the treaty, holding there
was nothing in the Constitution 10 pre-
vent the United States from acquiring
foreign territory.
No GROUNDS FOR REJECTION
Continuing, he said. "The disorder now
existing in the Philippine Islands, to
which senators who are opposing the
treaty may we'll afford 10 consider how
far they are contributing, the unwilling
ness OF the armed natives TO accept
| American authority. does not constitute
] III IlN Hiilu TIC FliNiA'0t rA'HiiN VIZ VIM
! 10 base a vote against the Paris agree
ment On the contrary, it affords new
| reason why our action should be the
/ more prompt and unanimous.
No senator has had the hardihood 10
| suggest that we shall now return these
islands to the Spanish Government, and
no other disposition Of them than that
I Is inconsistent with vote to confirm the
/ treaty
Imputations have ben made here upon
the purpose Of those who advocate the
assumption by the United States OF
sovereignty which can scarcely be gem
| uine.
All this talk about forcing our Govern
ment upon an unwilling people, all this
eloquent invocation of the spirit OF the
Declaration Of Independence is far and
away from any real point that concerns
the Senate I'm this discussion. No senator
can suppose that there exists an Ameri-
can statesman who approaches the con-
sideration Of the Philippine problem with
any other than the most benevolent in
tentions concerning the Filipinos and
their future.
NATIVES MISGUIDED
There are reasons why the natives Of
these islands after their experience with
Spanish misrule should misunderstood
the presence at Manila of an American
army, but there is no reason why an
American Senator should misunderstood
it, and no Justification Of his course in
misrepresenting It. He knows that there
is no American In all this broad land
who wishes any other fate to any single
native of the Philippine Islands than his
free enjoyment Of a prosperous life. lie
knows that close in the wake Of Ameri-
can rule there would come 10 the Philip
pines a liberty that they have never
known and a far greater liberty than
they ever could nave under the arrogant
rule Of a native dictator lie knows,
moreover, that It would be self-rule the
rule Of the islanders to the full extent of
their capacity IN that direction and that
each successive American President
would welcome the time when he could
recommend new leases OF sef-govern-
ment 70 an advancing and improving
people.
A FALSE POSITION.
The Filiplnos may not know these
thinEs yet, but every American Senator
knows them and puts himself and his
country in n false position when, by at
trbu-ing the spirit Of conquest and ag-
gression TO those whose policy has res
cued the Filpinos from Spain and would
now rescue them from native tryants. he
encourages them 10 doubt the generous
] sentiment OF our ptND4ts AV 4lNA SHY
that these considerations are absolutely
conclusive of our right and duty to as
sumo the direct and exclusive government
OF the Philippines for we have our own
interests to think about. But certainly
they forbid the use on this floor OF any
argument which tends 10 imperll the
safety OF our troops at Manila or which
adds one whit to the embarrassment Of
the administration in the trying situa-
tions by which It Is confronted
OUR DUTY PLAIN.
AT present | do not know, and DO
not think anyone else knows just what
will be done with the Philippines, be-
yond this. that we ought as instantly as
possible 10 complete the withdrawal OF
their sovereignty from the Kingdom of
Spain and that we ought ourselves 10
assume its obligations and prudently 10
discharge them until we have had full
opportunity In our councils TO determine
their best disposition. This Is an that
the treaty OF Paris provides or imposes
II is all that the administration has at
any time suggested: X f. no more than a
safe and conservative policy advises II
is no less than our public obligations re-
duire II is a plain clear. positive duty
I IL Is one Of the duties that are not 20
be got rid OF by evasion or by delay. or
even n you reject the treaty, II lies in the
nature of the situation. Your armv
your navy and flag are at Manila You
can add TO their dangers II YOU will. but
Z their dutv abiaeg and the will Of the ma
/ ton must be done
SPEECHES GALORE.
Before Mr. Platts speech. Mr.. Mason
(of Illinos) asked unanimous consent for
vote on his resolution. declaring IL 10
I be the policy OF the United States not 90
attempt 10 govern the people OF any
other nation. next Friday at I O'Clock.
Mr. Carter (of Montana) objected.
A like request was made by Mr. Hoar
with respect 10 his resolution. declaring
that the Filipinos ought to be free and
independent
Mr. Carer again entered an objection.
The following resolution was offered by
: Mr. Sullivan (of Mississippi, who asked
that It lie on the table:
That the ratification Of the pending