Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-18
Senator Bacon Against Taking the
Islands.
CANAL BILL COMES UP IN THE SENATE
Mr.. White Fayors the Pending
Measure
A SCENE IN THE HOUSE

Young was referred to as ''one esteemed by
all who knew him and as one who by
toll had converted his endowments into ac-
complishments.
Mr. Davis chairman of the committee on
foreign relations. withdrew his notice given
yesterday of an executive session today. on
account of the announced speech of Mr..
Bacon (GaD but gave notice that tomor
row at the conclusion of the speech of Mr..
Turner tWashD he would ask the Senate
to go into executive session.
The Vice President announced his ap-
pointmeut of Senator Plat Comm to fill
The vacancy on the board of regents of the
Smithsonian Institution, made by the death
IF Senator Morrill, Of Vermont.
Mr. Perkins (CalD Of the naval affairs
committee called up the resolution prOvid-
ing for the admission TO the Naval Acade
my as students Ricardo Yglesias of Costa
Rico and Alberto Venezuela Montoya of
Colombia
AIR Gear Gowa1 moved to amend the
resolution With reference TO young Yglesias
by adding the name of oscar Deignan of
Iowa. one Of the Merrimac heroes, but later,
at the request Of several senators. with
drew the amendment. Both resolutions
were adopted.
\ bill defining jurisdiction of the circuit
district courts of the United States in GER
tain cases was passed.
Mr.. Bacon tGaD then called up his resolu-
tiOns for announcing the policy Of the gov
eminent on the Philippines.
Mr.. Bncon's Remarks.
He said in part:
"Of all the great powers of the earth
the government of the United States is
the only one that contends for the right in
sll people of seIf-government. When they
abandon in practice this principle, when
they impose their dominion on an unwilling
people. in the majestic march of free in
situations, the hand upon the great dial
Of the clock of the world will have been
SCI back an hundred years.
1T is not to be believed that the govern
ment Of the United States will. with full
appreciation of the nature and the con-
sequences of the act. thus violate the prin-
ciple of the right Of self-governm ent. 1t
Is incredible. nay impossible. that the lib
erty-loViCg people of these United States
will consent that by power of arms the
dominion OF this government shall BE- en-
forced upon 4 people who have owed US
TO allegiance-who are struggling to be
He quoted from the speech of Senator
Foraker the statement that it was not the
purpose to hold the Philippines permanent
y and said.
I am especially glad to have the assur-
ance Of the distinguished senator that. of
his own knowledge. the position thus stat
cd by him is the position of the President
j position
be assured as the one which this govern
msnt will take and adhere to, there will
toe little difference or contention between
Us. The resolutions which ] have introduce
ed and the adoption of which | am now
advocating agree substantially with the
position announced by the senator from
ONO What l desire. however. is that there
shaA be now an avowal of this position by
thV iaWmaking power OF this government
n joint resolution of Congress approved
by the President.
Purpose Should BE Announced.
If ii is not our purpose to subject the
philippines Islands to our dominion: if. on
The contrary. it is our purpose at the prop
e. time to recognize an independent gov
erument in those islands and to leave
them TO the control of their own people
So soon as proper settlement can be had
ana proper guarantees for the future be
assured, then such purpose ought to be
conclusive manner
Mr. Bacon declared there was no differ
tice IN the rights of the Cubans and Fill
lpInps. and they should all be considered
equal under the resolution adopted by Com
Sress. although the Philippines We're NOT
IN mind At the time OF the declaration of
var he said our obligations to the Philip
pines rested upon the alliance of the
Americans with the FilipinOs during the
war "
! am most deeply impressed with the
Importance of the prompt announcement
by this government of the declaration CON
tanned in these resolutions fbaf the I>nifad
states does not intend TO establish its do
mluion over the Philippine Islands
one good result from such a declaration
VIII, IN my opinion, be the prompt conclu-
sion OF all questions growing out of the
war with Spain.
Another and most important result will
De an immediate relief from the most en-
DtrFdssins and threatening situation in the
Philippine Islands. 1t is useless for US to
smut our eyes TO the fact that the Amerf-
can and Philippine armies are fronting each
"ther with danger of collision Why is
mis-; II IS because the FilipinOs who
fought Spain for their freedom do not in
tend 10 become the Vassals of the United
states. and while senators announce on
this floor that there is no intention to i'm
pose this government upon an unwilling
people. there are other utterances which
lead the FllipinOs to contrary conclusion
In consequence there is danger of bIoodshed
between the American and Philippine
armies. II this declaration is promptly
ana authoritauVely made by this govern
Inent. The apprehension will be relieved,
and there will be no distrust of the Amer
lean army and no thought of hostility TO
H. Mess We make this declaration an
accident, a tri1e may precipitate that shot
al any hour
Mr.. Bacon then entered upon an arcu-
meut against the annexation of distant
territory with a dense population of an
alien and inferior race, and made an earn
81 81 AiIS4lt against war. MI. Bacon dis
cuSseG the question of the cost. civil and
military. Of keeping up a colonial govern
meHt In the Philippines, that the vast ex-
peiise must necessarily add largely to the
taxes imposed on the people, and that the
war tax would have 10 be continued in
dehnite!y, as it would be impossible to raise
the increased amount through tariff duties
He concluded by urging that the American
people had enough to do in developing their
own country. which, exclusive of Alaska
was ample for population of three hum
cred millions. and in developing our own
resources there was enough to task the
energies and inspire the hopes of our peo-
PIE for centuries to come.
European War
When MIR. Bacon referred to the urgency
OF the English press that the United States
should retain the Philippines and said that
the English motive was selfish, Mr.. Hawlev
Comm inquired. lis Il not possible that
the English motive is thai if the United
States should withdraw from the PhHip
pines there might be such ri rush for their
acquisition by other nations as would bring
about a general war;
suppose that IL should so result" replfed
MI Bacon, are w responsible for the
peace OF Europe
Hawley. 'A''
Mr.. Hoar interjected the remark that =