The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-12

to the Philippines When the end came
those islands were in our possession. What
was 10 be cone2 Four possibilities existed.
We might return the islands to Spain. allow
some other country TO seize or g0bhle them
up. the people of the islands might be left
70 themselves and the anarchy that existed
there. or we ourselves might take posses@
sion of them. The unanimous voice of the
country was opposed to the return of thu
Islands TO tho tyranncal government OF
Spain. In many Of the state conventions
ringing declarations against such a course
convention of the State Of the. senator froru
Massachusetts (AIr. Hoar)"
~ wrote 1T myself. announced Mr.. Hoar
Then | presume the senator is opposed
TO that course? remarked Mr.. Foraker
amid laughter.
WHY WE TOOK THE ISLANDS.
THE return of the islands to SPAIN" re-
sumed Mr. Foraker. was. therefore. not I'd
be considered. Were they then to be left
TO themselves? About the time this ques4
ton was confronting Us J saw repeated
newspaper statements from Aguinaldo and
his associates among the insurgents to the
effect that all the countries of Europe would
be on their backs before breakfast If the
United States deserted them at that june
ture. We could not leave the islands at thc
mercy of other countries Such a coursel
would have been cruel. We wisely decdedl
against both these courses. We decided to-
take possession OurSelVeS-for the PRESENT.
at least, until the people of those islands
are ready and capable of self-government.
The assertion OF the temporary Character
of our possession of the Philippines created
stir in the chamber Mr.. Foraker reit-
Grated it. We could not desert the people
OF the islands he said, and subject them to
the risks OF disorder, anarchy misrule and
mob rule while they might be still unfit for
self-government But our occupation was
not TO be permanent. Il do not understand
that any one desires anything but the ulti-
mate independence of the people of the
Philippines" said he. emphatcally, neither
President ~ Oh
But what about our right If we chose
to hold them permanently, with no thought
OF their ultimate independence inquired
Mr.. Hoar.
I'VE have an unquestioned right to do
so, replied Mr.. Foraker. Il speak particu-
larry of our legal right
Mr.. Bacon. of Georgia, at this juncture
asked what difference there was between
our relations to Cuba and our relations to
deal with the latter on the same basis as
the former simply hold them now with the
declared purpose of giving them self-govern-
ment as soon as possible
The case of Cuba" replied Mr. Foraker.
speaking with great elaboration, was a
single one, involving only our relations with
Spain and the Cubans themselves. In the
case of the Philippines there were other
complications which cannot be spoken of
here. but which senator's will hear in execu-
tive session, which justified the Presidents
course in the most ample manner and vim
dlcates most completely everything he has
done. In fact. no other course is safe in
view of the object we naturally sought to
attain-Justice not only to ourselves but to
the people of those islands"
What of the statement about hauling
down the American fiag?" interjected MIR.
NO one desires to retain the Philippines
indefinitely, reiterated Mr.. Foraker again.
The President is as much a lover of lib
from Massachusetts, and his love of liberty
goes out to the people of the Philippine
Islands as freely as his own
FORCE NOT TO BE USED.
"Then we are to understand the state
ment that the American flag is not to be
hauled down?' said Mr.. Hoar Does not
that mean that we are to hold perpetual
domain? If the people of the Philippines
believe their happiness can best be secured
by self-government. they are to be given
an opportunity to govern themselves"
with the determination of the ultimate
policy respecting the Philippines" replied
Mr.. Foraker, "their feelings will have much
to do. Not one so far as / am able to learn,
is preparing by force and violence to take
administration. l have no sympathy with
those who talk of making war on Aguinaldo
any more than had with those who talked
of making war on Gomez"
THANK God for that" murmured Mr.
Hoar from his seat but in a voice audible
throughout the chamber
Il repeat" continued Mr.. Foraker, that
we had four choices as to what we should do
and ] affirm that the President acted WISE
whether the Fiipinos are capable of self
government and whether they desire self
government. We will know in a short time
what the feeling of the population of the
Islands is. Then we can act intelligently,
and / know we will act justly
In conclusion Mr.. Foraker said he would
place in the record the recent proclamation
of the President to the insurgents as a dec
laration of the spirit and purpose of the
United States. When he took his seat there
was a demonstration of approval from the
galleries. which was unchecked by the pre-
siding officer.
At the conclusion of Mr. Foraler's speech,
Mr.. Allen continued briefly the debate on
the constitutional questions relating to the
acquisition Of the Philippines. He cOmbated
the position taken by Mr.. Foraker. MAIN
tanning that the United States government
could not cOnstitutionally acquire the Phil
ippine islands without the ultimate object
in view of admitting them into the Union
as State.
At 3:10 o'clock, on motion of Mr. Davis,
chairman of the committee on foreign rela-
tiOns, the Senate went into executive ses-
sion. AT the conclusion of the executive
session. Mr. Morgan announced that Mr..
Sullivan was not ready to proceed with his
speech on the Nicaragua canal bill and,
his motion, at 1886 p. m, the Senate adj
journed.