New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-28
FRYE URGES RATIFICATION.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PEACE COMMITS
SION EXPLAINED TO THE SENATE.
OPPONENTS OF THE TREATY HELD RE-
sPoNsIBLE FOR THE TROUBLE N THE
PHILIPPINES THE PRESIDENT
TO SEND N DOCUMENTS.

Washington. Jan 27.-The Senate continued
TIE consideration Of the Peace Treaty In ex-
ecutive session to-day the DOORS being closed
for almost three hours. Senator Frye. MEM
Der Of tie Peace Commission. he'd the attention
Of the Senate the grea,er part of this time. Con-
structively. he occupied the floor FOR the entire
session. hi he vas frequently interrupted oy
other Sena .ors. Mast of these interruptions
came in tie way of questions, but some Of them
took TIE form of speeches. This was notably
the case with Senator Berry's interruptions.
re spoke for some Ilme and IN doing so de-
noLnced the treaty IN severe terms. Senators
Mason and Cafery asked many questions
Senator Frye devoted himself largely TO an ex-
planaticn OF the proceedings OF the Commission.
reading literally from tie record as already
printed, b1t stopping he proceeded 70 ex-
plain the quotations which he made lie had
not proceeded far In his exposition o. the SUBJ
ject when ne was asked II toe President had no,
originally instructed the Commission 70 insist
only upon securing a coalng station in the
Philippine group. t. this Mr.. Frye replied that
he did not fee a. liberty % give his interpreta-
ton Of the Presidents Instructions. but IL was
not necessary that he should do so. IS The Pres-
dent had, he said. determined 20 comply, par
TALLY at least with The senatc's request for the
documents on file bearing upon the negotiation
Of the treaty, and Mr.. Frye said he felt justified
in assuring the Senate that the papers would oe
received not later than Monday.
Senator Frye devoted the principal portion OF
his speech outside OF reading the report 10 an
explanation OF why the Philippine Archipelago
was included in the cesson 70 the United states.
He was asked the question why those islands
were not placed IN the same class a. Cuba the
sovereignty over this island being merely relin-
quished while in the case Of the Philippines IL
had beer made over 70 the United States. and
replied that the difference was made because in
the case Of Cuba the Commission was acting
under instructions from Congress.
He was reminded that the Fpnos professed
70 be fighting for freedom just as the Cubans
were. and that they still contendng for
their owl independence
one Senator reminded him Of the representa-
tions Of Aguinaldos American agent Agon-
clio and asked II he meant 10 force the Filipinos
to actual hostilties. 10 which Mr.. Frye retorted
that It was the opposition which was forcing
continuance OF the state Of war. and which
would be responsible for hostillties II they
should occur AS for himself, however, he d!d
not know the Fiiipinos in the transaction. The
treaty should have been ratified ten days ago.
and II il had been all danger OF war with the
people OF the Philippine Islands would have
been averted.
Senator Mason asked II the Commissioners did
not know when they made the treaty, and II
/ he did not know now, that the natives ot those
/ islands were then now demanding their IN
! dependence. In response. Mr.. Frye repeated
/ that the Commission had dealt with spain, re-
garoing the Filipinos as subjects OF that coun-
i try Spain had lost in he war and hence the
United States had perfect right, according TO
the law Of nations. 10 acquire any part OF her
possessions or people in adjusting the balances
after the war was ov-r.
Senator Berry declared that the acquisition OF
the Islands was merely speculative scheme
containing more OF the element Of land grabbing
than OF patriotism and philanthropy.