The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-20
THE BACON RESOLUTIONS.
Basis of Opposition in Debates on the
Question.

Washington, Dec. 19.--The joint reso-
lutions upon the Philippines introduced
in the Senate yesterday by Senator Ba-
con. of Georgia, were shown to a number
of Democratic Senators before being pre-
scented to the Senate and the impression
gathered is that they will be the basis
of opposition in debates upon the ques-
tion. The text of the resolutions, which
were carefully prepared by Senator Ba-
con is as follows:
First That the Government and peo-
pie of the United States have not waged
the recent war with Spain for conquest
and for the acquisition Of foreign terri
tory. but solely for the purposes set forth
in the resolution of Congress making the
declaration of war, the acquisition of
such small tracts of land and harbors as
may be necessary for Governmental pur-
poses being not deemed inconsistent with
the same.
Second That in demanding and re-
ceiving the cession of the Philippine Is
lands it is not the purpose of the Gov
ernment of the United States to secure
and maintain permanent dominion over
the same as part of the territorv of the
United States or Ito permanently ,orpor-
the United States or to hold said 1nhabi-
tants as vassals or subjects of this Gov
ernnnent; and the United States hereby
disclaim any disposition or intention to
exercise permanent sovereignty, jITisdic-
ton or control over said islands.
Third. That the United States hay-
ing accepted the cessi0n OF the Philippine
Islands from Spain, and haying by force
of arms oyerthrown all organized aal-
thority and opposition to the authority
Of the United States therein, the duty
and obligation rest upon the United
States to restore peace and maintain Or
der throughout the same; to protect IN
said islands the enjoyment of life and
property and the pursuit Of lawful ayo-
cations; and to continue such protection
until the power and duty to maintain
said protection shall have been transfer
red and intrlIsted by the United States
to government of the people of said
islands deemed capable and worthy to
exercise said power and discharge said
duty.
Fourth That when armed resistance
to the authority of the United States
shall have ceased within said islands and
peace and order shall have been restored
therein. it is the purpose and intention
of the United States, as soon thereaftec,
as the same can be practically and safe
ly accomplished, to provide the OppoT-
tunity and prescribe the method for the
formation of government by and of the
people of the Philippine Islands, to be
thereafter independently exercised and
controlled by themselves. it being the de
sign of the United States to accord to
the people of said islands the same meas
ure Of liberty and independence which
have been pledged by the Congress of the
United States to the people of Cuba.
Fifth. That when stable govern
nent shall, by the method aforesaid,
have been duly formed and erected in
said islands, competent and worthy in
the Judgment of the United States to eX-
ercise the powers of an independent gov
ernment and to preserve peace and main
tain order within it's jurisdiction. it Is
the purpose and intentionl of the United
States reserving to themselves only such
harhors and tracts of land as may be
needed for coaling stations, or other gov
ern1nental purposes. to transfer to sasd
governments. upon terms which shall he
reasonable ard just. all rights and terri
tory secured in said islands. under the
treaty with Spain and to thereupGn leave
the dominion and control Of the islands
to their people.
sixth. That when said government
has been thus formed and set mp in the
Philippine Islands and approved by the
United States, it is the design and inten-
tion of the United States, through
treaties with the leading nations of the
world, to secure the guaranty of the con-
ltirnoa indnr1endence of the SameN