The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-28
THE ARMY COMPROMISE A GO.
SENATE PUTS THE BILL THROUGH
BY GOOD MAJORITY.


wanted only LuzOn-BacOn Favor
ed the BiII-GOrman Gets in an
Amendment.
Washington, Feb. 27.-At II o'clock to-
day the Senate began the last work of the
short session of the Fifty-fifth Congress.
An unusually large number of senators
were present, owing probably to the great
amount of important unfinished business
before the Senate.
Mr.. Cullom of Illinois presented the con-
ference report on the agricultural appro-
priation bill and 1t was agreed to.
Mr.. Allison presented the conference re-
port on the Indian appropriation bill. Aft
er some explanation of the report 1t was
agreed to by the Senate
Mr.. Gambler of New Hampshire offered
an amendment to the naval appropriation
bill. authorizing the President TO appoint
two vice admirals of the navy, who shall
not be placed on the retired list until
eight years after the passage of the bill,
except upon the application of the holder
Of the offices; the offices to cease to exist
when vacated by death or otherwise.
This bill is intended to advance Admirals
Sampson and Schley.
bill providing for the holding of two
terms each year of the United States Cir
cult and District Court of the Western dis
trict of Texas to be held at Laredo, Tex,
was passed.
Bate on the Army Bill.
At the conclusion of the morning busi-
ness. consideration was resumed of the
army reorganization bill.
Mr. Bate of Tennessee, a member of the
military affairs committee, addressed the
Senate on the general features of the bill.
He regarded tine measure as probably the
most important OF the present session. 1t
was, he thought, one of the consequences
of the action of Congress in taking in
Hawaii, an action unconstitutional, as he
regarded it.
He did not approve of such an increase
of the army as was proposed in the bill.
1t was such an enormity in that respect
that it has shocked the public. He thought
in this time of ''semi-peace," at least, we
ought to be able to reduce instead of en-
large the army. He objected to the bill
0ecause it provided twice as many men
As t@4e exigencies OF the situation required;
because 1t made invidious distinctions be-
tween regulars and volunteers against the
latter and because ii was an entering
wedge which makes us depend upon the
army instead of upon the consent of the
people themselves.
He declared that the honor of the coun-
try did not depend upon our conquest of
the FIipnos. He held that the United
states ought not to pay the $40, 0,000 for
the Philippines until Spain was able to de-
Aver the goods in warranty. If we were
compelled to fight for control In the Phil
ippines, we ought to charge the cost
against the 800, 900 900 said to be due Spain
Wanted to Hear From Mckinley.
Further, he maintained that Congress
ought to be cautious about granting
great standing army, because the Presi-
dent had not declared his policy as to
the Philippines and had not asked Con-
gress for any additional troops. Until
the President indicated to Congress his
policy and purpose no additional troops
should be granted him.
Mr.. Bate said he did not think the situ-
alton In the Philippines was particularly
serious, according to the reports from Gen.
GUS He felt that we ought to do more
lh those Islands than to hold what we
now have. We ought 20 wait until the
DENLY commission arrived at Mania and
nad mad opportunity to confer with the
Fiipinos
Let us send the Bible and the cross
anead of the army and show a Christian
spirit" said he "by which we can bring
about conciliation and save the honor of
the country"
Vest Against the Bill.
Mr.. Vest antagonized the bill although
ne SAID he did so with hesitation. because
u lts strong advocacy by his colleague.
Mr Cockreli. He declared his belief thai
tne war in the Philippines was not being
conducted with the idea of giving the
flhDinos sef-government.
DeleVe," he said. chat this govern
nlent Is TO take the Philippines as an in
peinnlty for the war with Spain. II has
Deen so stated in the imperia,istjc nrese
but ask now whether it is true that
tne PRESIDENT telegraphed 10 our command
eis 10 take nothing less than the Island
oI Luzon. as Porto Rico, which was
worm only %00O0,00O would not be n
popr indemnity for the war / ask now
"mether such a dispatch was sent
MI frye, one of the peace commission
ers: There was not"
Mr.. Vest: rs the statement tr,a or
fslse?" ileht true OF
MI. Frye: 1T is not true
only LuzOR at the Start.
MT Vest: l''Was there not disnatch sent
uual nolhlng less Than the island of Tuzon
would be accepted?"
,aon aSir. RYE; The instructions of the Pres
iuent ',n when we started out were to take
,, -ar. vest: Was no mention made of
~ Ht9 Rico not being sufficient Indemnity
MI, alr, Frye: mot at all. The senator has
a l'eafd read in executive session eyerv teJ-
,.sra .ain cable and letter of instruction that
reas', Ie.as'u between the President and the
peace commissioners"
w a', vest: "fhe statement I have made
,t T"s published in The imperialistlc press Of
JiC,oS ui'Ig' ..g' and 1t has never been contra
ted now" 'Se' contraolc-
ySat Mt ~, white of California followed Fir.
'GSst 80 N speech against the biif
On behalf Of the nilitar,, ~,
,a ra, Coekrell suggested several amend.
r,rii,is ltri's 10 the bill. among them one belne
,lAlng ,,,,.Ag out the language fixing The mini,
.su ,iluth IN companies OF various brancbe@ ~
,ae serVlee. see. As reported from the commit
rri,a.e ene oiii provided that the minimum of
blsaSes N troops of the cavalry service
"ould De forty-three: that the yninJrn,,r,