The times., 1899-01-25
TO RATIFY THE TREATY
Lodge, Teller, and Clay Ad-
dress the Senate.
ALL URGE SPEEDY ACTION
Little Importance to Constitutions
nj Gucstions-If the Treaty lis Re-
jected the Philippines VIII Go
Back to Spain-Thc Georgian Be-
lieves in EnrIy Ratification.

Yesterday was a banner day for Peace
Treaty ratification speeches in the Senate.
The Philippine situation was discussed by
Senators Lodge. Teller, and Clay, all main
tanning that whatever might be the ulti-
mate disposition of those islands, the
Treaty should be speedily ratified, and the
question of disposal afterward decided
upon.
The speeches of Senators Lodge and
Clay were in accordance with notices pre-
viously given. The speech of Mr.. Teller
was interjected between those of the two
Senators. the speaker not being aware that
Mr.. Clay intended to take the floor.
After Mr. Teller had been speaking some
little time he was informed that he was
taking the floor from the Georgia Senator.
He Immediately offered to suspend at
once, but said he could finish in n very
few minutes. and was allowed to continue.
The morning business in the Senate took
but five minutes, and at its conclusion Mr.
Lodge took the floor. His colleague Mr..
Hoar, who is a recognized leader against
the ratification of the Treaty, suggested
the absence of quorum, and ten minutes
was spent before the required number of
Senators were recorded present
Mr.. Lodge confined his remarks almost
exclusively to the question OF the policy
OF annexing the Philippine Islands. He did
not think the constitutional question
raised against colonies was of any great
Importance in this question, saying that
constitutions did not make people but
people make constitutions; that the Con-
stitution was an admirable document. and
comprehended the needs at the time 1t was
drafted and ratified, but il it did not cover
this case, it was not an insurmountab BILE
barrier.
Mr.. Lodge contended that IL the Treaty
were rejected it would result in handing
the Philippine Islands back to Spain, and
he was not willing TO suppose that any
American was willing to do that. In speak
ing of the protocol ne said:
The protocol Is but the agreement of the Com.
mander-in-C Chief. When the Treaty fails it could
he torn TO pieces. But whether it is thrown aside
or not, still we are in state OF war, and the
subjects oil Spain, among whom numbered
today the FilipinOs, would be the enemies of the
United States by all the laws of nations. There
then would be the President with the country at
war with Spain, armed with the war power, which
he can use unchecked as the Commander-in-C Chief
of the army and navy. The Treaty commits the
disposition of the Philippine Islands to Congress
and to the ways and practices OF peace. Its re-
lection leaves them in the sole power of the
President subject to the usages and practices
OF war alone.
Mr. Lodge was listened to with marked
attention and interest. He spoke for half
an hour, and Immediately at the conclu-
sion of his remarks Mr.. Teller took the
floor to discuss certain phases of the con-
stitutional argument which had been ad-
yanced, and more particularly with refer
ence TO the power of the General Govern
ment TO extend its authority into terrific
ries. He cited the different acts of Con-
raia tttnn
different times from 1903 TO 1890 as author
ity for his position that the Constitution,
by its own force, did not go into the ter
ritories. and would not go into the Philip
pines. Any policy that might be adopted
toward those people, he said would be the
outsrowth of a study of the situation as il
actually existed. and Mr.. Teller thought
that the American people could be trusted
10 deal both honestly and unselfishly with
the situation
Mr.. Clay. one of the Democratic Senator's
who is in favor of the ratification of the
Treaty, concluded the speeches for the day
IN open session He said that had the
United States started out to conquer aud
annex the Philippines at the beginning of
the war he did not think the proposition
would have received half a dozen votes in
the Senate, and that while he thought the
Treaty should be ratified he was not at all
III laNor OF pursuing different policy to-
ward the Philippine Islands from that con-
teihpiated and announced toward Cuba In
reference TO dispOsing of them he said:
The war is over and We find these islands ON
our iiahds- We cannot escape the responsibility
Of some equitable. just, and right disposition Of
them The american people would never consent
either to giving the islands back to Spain. selling
'heih I" SOME European government or 10 forcing
government upon them against their will and
without their consent. The only thing left TO do
Is to aid and direct The people OF these islands
10 form government Tor themselves