The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-28
NATIVE TYRANT A CURSE
DECIDE WHAT SHALL BE DONE
AFTER RATIFICATION.
THE PENSION APPROPRIATION BILL
Ar. German Says if Troops are Not Recalled
from Tropical CIimes Before Sep'em.
. Der Pension Roll Win Iicteass
Fifty Thousand Names.

Washington, Jan. 27-particuar in
terest was manifested in the Senate to-
day i'll brief speech delivered by Sen
ator 7. C. Platt New York; on the gen
eral subject of expansion. Mr.. Platt
took for his text the anti-expansion reso
luton offered by Mr.. Vest (AIissouri),
but in the course of his speech merely
touched upon the constitutional question
involved in the proposed declaration.
Mr.. Platt took strong grounds for
the ratification of the treaty. holding
there was nothing in the Constitution to
prevent the United States from acquir
ing foreign territory. Continuing he
said:
THE disorder now existing in the
Philippine Islands, to which Senators
who are opposing the treaty may well
afford to consider how far they are con-
tributing, and the unwillingncss of the
armed natives to accept American au
thoritv. does not constitute in my mind
the slightest ground on which TO base
Il vote against the Paris agreement. On
the contrary it affords new reason why
our action should be the more prompt
and unanimous. No Senator has had
the hardihood to suggest that we shall
now return these islands TO the Snan
ish Government, and no other disposition
of them is inconsistent with n vote
to confirm the treaty. Imputations have
heen made here upon the purposes of
those who advocate the assumption by
the United States of Philippine SOW
ereignty, which can scarcely be genuine.
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 in this discussion. No SEN
ator can suppose that there exists an
American statesman who approaches
the consideration of the Philippine prob
lem with any other than the most be-
nevolent intentions concerning the Fill
pinos and their future. There are rea
sons why the natives of these islands af-
ter their experience with Spanish mis-
rule, should misunderstood the pres
ence at Manila of an American army.
but there is no reason why an Ameri-
can 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
gle native of the Philippine Islands than
his free enjoyment of a prosperous life.
He knows that close in the wake of
American rule there would come to the
Filpinos liberty that they have never
known and a far greater liberty than
they could ever have under the arrogant
rule Of a native dictator. He knows
moreover. that it would be sef-rule. the
of iGia tp nj
of their capacity in that direction, and
that each successive American President
would welcome the time when he could
recommend new leases of self-govern-
ment to an advancing and improving peo-
pie. The Filipinos may not know these
things yet, but every American Senator
knows them and puts himself and hiS
country in a false position when, by
attributng the spirit Of conquest and
aggression to those whose policy has res
cued the F'ilipinos from Spain and
would now rescue them from native
tyrants. he encourages them to doubt
the generous sentiment of our people.
do not say that these considerations are
absolutely conclusive of our right and
duty to assume the direct and exclusive
government of the Philippines. for we
have our own interests to think about,
hut certainly they forbid the use on
this floor of any arguments which tends
TO imperil the safety of our troops ut
Manila or which adds one whit to the
embarrassment of the Administration in
The trying situation by which it is con
frOnted.
"Mr. President, | do not know and /
don't think any one else can know just
what ought TO be done with the Philip
pine Islands beyond this that we ought
as instantly as possible to complete
the withdrawal of their sovereignty from
the kingdom of Spain and that we-ought
ourselves TO assume its obligations and
prudently to discharge them until we
have had full opportunity in our councils
to determine their best disposition.
This is all that the Treaty Of Paris pro-
poses or imposes. 1t is all that the Adj
ministration has at any time suggested,
II is no more than safe and conserva-
tive policy advises. 1t is no less than
our public obligations require. 1t is n
plain, clear, positive duty. 1t is one OF
those duties that are not to be got rid
Of by evasion nor even by denial. 1t
would remain after you had rejected the
treaty 1t lies in the nature Of the sit
uation. Your army, your navy and
flag are ut Manila. You can add to their
dangers if you will But these duties