The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-25

The treaty commits the disposition Of the
Philippine Islands to Congress and to the
ways ana practices OF peaca It's rnjec-
ton leaves them in she sole power OF the
President subject 10 the ussees and prac-
tices of war.
ne. IL We are unit for II and unequal
| to 10, then we should shirk 10 and by
| from 1t. But believe that We are both
| nt and capable, and that therefore we
should meet 10 and take IL up
II did not have faith In the American
people and their government i would do
my best to prevent the ratification Of the
treaty, and can see no other ground OF
opposition. But As I have profound faith
In both, want4to take those islands from
Spain In the only way In which it can
DO done, by the ratification Of the treaty
and then leave It to the President-wise,
humane, patriotio-to the American Con-
gress, and to the American people, who
have never fniled In any great duty or
feared to face any great responsibility to
deal with them In that spirit of justice.
humanity and liberty which has made us
all that we are today or can ever hope TO
be.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Lodges speech
Mr.. Teller Of Colorado addressed the
Senate upon question with respect to
the constitutional powers Of the govern
ment In the territories both prio. to the
starting Of the Legislative machinery
relating to the territories and subsequent.
iy thereto In conclusion Mr. Teller said
that by citing his authorities he desired
merely to place before the Senate and the
court an argument In support Of his posi-.
ton that the constitution by ita OWE
force, did not go into the terri tories and
that 1t would not go into Cuba, Porto
|AaT. s.<f ka h Ina IN
he said, to trust the American people and
the American Congress 10 deal carefully
and honestly with any territory, however,
and wherever 10 might b acquired by
the United States
Mr.. Clay. Democrat Of Georgia, then
addressed the Senate.
Mr.. Clay made it very clear that moth.
ing should be allowed to stand In the way
Of prompt ratitcation, but that this
government should hold out to the Fill
ptnos the same promise of ultimate In
dependence that are held out TO the
Cubans.
He admitted the right to acquire the
Philippines and TO govern them as any
other territory belonging TO the United
States, but he contended that such poll
cy would be unwiee and against the best
interests OF people of the United States.
He contended that We have not the right
to acquire those islands or any other
territory, either mainland or islands In
the ssa and govern the people OF such
territory without constitutional limita-
tions. He said: III we acquire this
foreign territory we must deal with the
population 10 the same manner and in
the same constitutional we have dealt
with territorial forms Of government
heretofore. We cannot have and maintain
one form Of government for citizens Of
the United States and another form OF
government for subjugatsd race. Sub
jects are unknown to our form OF govern
ment. The inhabitants OF these islands
were the subjects Of Spain until they were
ceded to us When We assumed sover-
eighty over those islands, we expect allie
glance from the Filipinos to our govern
ment and II we expect allegiance at their
hands, then why are they not entitled
q all the rights and privileges of citizens
Of the United 5tatess"
Mr. Clay described the islands and their
inhabitants, contending that there can
be no hope Of American communities be-
ing built up in that territory capable of
statehood.
About the only sure result Of an at.
tempt to maintain government In the
Philippines which he could see was that
It would involve MS in future wars with
foreign governments. He said: 1--WE
want to continue our friendly CONNER.
cial relations with all OF them. We want
no territory or poL ulation liable and
likely to involve us in complications
which may lead to war with any Of these
powers"
Mr.. Clay said be thought an attempt to
fasten on the Filipiuos = government
without plain and nnmistakable assur-
anoes Of ultimate Independence must
lead to bloody. cruel and expensive war.
He maintained that free nations cannot
govern subject provinces ; THE war IL
over" said Mr.. IClay, and We find thess
islands on our hands; We cannot escape
the responsibility Of some equitable.
just and right disposition Of them. The
American people would never con sent
esther to give the islands baok to Spai n,
sell them TO some Europeanlgovernment
or force government upon them against
their will and without their consent.
The only thing left to do is to aid and
form o government for themselves.
The Senator thought there should be q
Of policy now. On this point
b said. III IL be wise and statesDinn.
like to outline our policy ns to Cuba be-
fore the adoption OF the peace treaty,
what reason or logic can the frisnds OF
expansion give for silence, as to the poll
oy of our 60 vernment In dealing with our
other territorial acquisition"
Mr.. Clay concluded by calling attention
to Gen. Leonard Woods statement be-
fore the military committee that 1t would
require $4,000 soldiers for Cuba, and
said: "In my Judgment the acquisition
and retention Of the Philippines islands
means an army Of $50, 900 soldiers 1t
means the annual expenses OF the army
will increase from twenty to two hun
dred million dollars A large standing
army means THAT the pension list will
increase from i've to ten millions annu-
ally"
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Clay's speech
Mr. Davis, chairman of the committee
on foreign relations, WAS recognized to
move AN executive session.
He yielded 10 Mr.. Teller who desired to
make an addition 10 the authorities
which he had previously oited upon the
force and eject Of the constitution In the
territories He read an extract from o i
speech of Mr.. Webster dealing with the
rights of Inhabitants Of erIitories of the
United States. He expressed the belief
that the citation he had made covered a
point raised previously by Mr.. Hoar in a
question.
Mr.. Hoar. In reply, contended that the
quotation from Webster which MIR. Tel Ter |
had r0ferred To did not meet his point