The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-15
RESOLUTIONS ON
THE PHILIPPINES
Understood to be Expressive Of
Democrats Position.
WANT TO WITHDRAW ARMY
Provided the Filipinos Will Agree to
Refund the $2o,ooo,ooo-Th
Second is Against Slavery
in the Island of Sulu

Washington, December 14.-Two joint re-
solutions were introduced in the house of
representatives today by Representative
Williams of Massachusetts which are the
result of consultation among a number of
democratic leaders in the house and are un-
derstood to be expressive of their general
position the Philippines The first reso-
luton declares the intention and purpose to
recognize the independence of the Filipinos
and withdraw our land and sea forces pro-
vided the independent government agrees to
refund the 81, 100000 paid by the United
States to Spain; to give US a suitable naval
and coaling station and grant in perp-tuity
free access to their ports.
Another section pledges our friendly as
sistance and also pledges against foreign
interference or aggression for ten years.
during which time the foreign affairs OF the
island are to be under American control.
The other resolution asks for information
relating to conclusion of treaty with
the Sultan of Jolo, and provides for an IN
uuiry by the judiciary committee as 10
whether the constitutional provisions
against slavery and tie statutory PROVISIONS
against poygamy apply to the Sulu people.
The kt solution
The text of the resolution is as follows:
"Whereas, The hope has been held out
that the Filipinos now waging war against
the forces of the United States in the island
of Luzon. will lay down their arms II au-
thoritatively assured that it was uae lhteh-
ton of the government and people OF the
United States ultimately to grant the peo-
pie of that island their independence ana
the absolute control of their domestic al
fairs
"Whereas, Such is the intention OF the
government and of the American people
who do not believe in wars of conquest or
criminal aggression against other peoples
and have frequently declared the.r horror
thereof. Now therefore be 1t
"Resolved, BY the senate and house OF
representatives in congress, assembled;
"section l. That it has always been our
intent and purpose to recognize the III
| alienable rights of the Filipinos to sel1-goV-
| eminent and national independence ana
| that in pursuance thereof, we shall mako
formal recognition of these rights and WITH
| draw our land and sea forces upon the es-
| tablisament of peace and the Inauguration
| of a constitutional government, or govern
| ments by the people of the ISLANDS OF any
| of them; provided, the SAID government
| agrees to refund the S2oOoo,c0o which was
paid by the United States to the queen re-
| gent of Spain; to give us In Zee simple
with right of sovereignty vested IN us,
place suitable fer a naval station and other
| places fitted for coalng sta tons and 10
grant the American people IN perpetulty
| the right of free access to all OF their pores
| for goods merchandise and persons peht
| on peaceful or missionary pursuit.
"Section @ We pledge our friendly assist
ance to this council in the work of the
inaugurating of such a government.
"Section 8. We pledge ourselves to treat
as an unfriendly manifestation toward the
T-nited states any foreign interference or
aggression for the period of ten years from
this. and after the establishment OF such
a government, provided that the govern
nent and people OF said island snail sur
render into keeping during tAat pc
Rod the entire question of their foreign
relations and shall pay TIE expenses to
which we may be put for such troops as
shall eIt ule request of said COVER nment,
be kept in Philippine territory and OF sucn
ships and naval forces as may be Kept IN
the Philippines or adjacent waters Tor the
purpose of the protection herein provided
The Sulu resolution is as follows:
The sulu Resolution
"Whereas, The constitution of the United
States provides that 'nei ler slavery nor
involuntary servitude, except as punish
able for crime, shall exist witain the United
States nor any pace subject TO paelr Jur-
isdict.on, and,
whereas, Tie island of Suu. one of the
Philippine group, is and has oeen for some
time by virtue of the ratification of the
| treaty of Paris between Spain and the
| United States, within the United States or
| subject to their jurisdiction and,
Whereas, 1t is currently reported and
believed thai slavery does actually exist
| in said islands, and
Whereas, 1t is furthermore currently
reported and believed that it exists by the
connivance or express agreement OF the
| federal authorities, therefore,
BE it resolved by the house of repre-
sentatiyes That the president be, and is,
| hereby requested-if, in his opinion, COM
| patible with the public interest-to trans
init to the house such information as may
DE available that subject including Of
fetal documents, agreements CT conven-
lions entered into by and between the au-
thorities, civil or military, of the United
States and the so-called sultan of Sulu, his
agents or representatives.
BE it further resolved, That the Judicial
ry committee of this house be, and it is,
hereby instructed to investigate and re-
port upon the legal and constitutional as
pect of our governmental relations to the
people of the Philippines, and especially to
those of them in the group hitherto or now
ruled by the so-called sultan of Sulu, and
to determine and report to the house
whether or not. in the opinion of said COM
mittee, the said islands within the jul
risdiction of the United States, and if in
the jurisdiction of the United States,
whether not the constitutional prohibit
ton of slavery and the statutory prohibit
ton of polygamy do or do not apply TO
them and their people, and should or should
not control federal officers in all their acts
and conduct in connection with the govern
ment thereof
Trial of James Hunter