The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-01
DISCUSSION IN SENATE
BERRY'S ATTACK ON THE
MONEY POWER.
Mr.. PLATT PLEADS FOR RATIFICATION
NJ awhile the Filipino Iunta at Hong Kong
Declares the Americans are Daily Ex-
citing Hostility in Philippines
by Acts of Vandalism.
by Acts of Vandalism.

Nv HStS VI EdHuuiSils
Washington, Jan. 31.-During almost
the entire morning hour to-day the Sen
ate had under discussion the policy of
this country to be pursued in the Phil
ippine Islands. Mr.. Berry (Ark.), in
a speech upon the resolution offered by
Mr.. Vest discussed the policy of eX-
pansion without q reference to the con
stitutional point involved in the Vest
resolution.
IF in November, 1896" he began, sit
had been known that the President at
this time, so soon after his Inauguration,
would be asking Congress for an army
of 100000 men to subjugate and reduce
people 1000 miles from our shores,
who were endeavoring to establish a
Government for themselves, he would not
have received a single electoral vote in
any State"
''The daily abuse which is heaped upon
those who are opposing this scheme OF
imperialism and the criticism to which
we are subjected by Senators on this
floor because we will not follow the
President in his wild scheme of coloni-
zation, certainly is not the best method
of attaining their ends. There are
thousands and tens of thousands of our
people who believe the danger of the
overthrow of our institutions was never
so great as at this time"
Mr.. Berry adverted to the great ia
fiuence of the money power and the
power of corporations exerted in the
elections of 1896, declaring that Presi-
dent Mckinley owed his election to
that power. He declared that the
money power was able to contral nearly
all the daily newspapers and they were
able to elect William Mckinley. He
said further that we had won Il glori-
Gus victory in the late war. but that
we had fought Spain to free the Gu
bans from her control and having ac-
complished that purpose we could not
now without dishonor make war upon
the people of the Philippines to subject
them to our control.
1T has been urged" said Mr.. Berry
chat we hold those islands and cannot
release them now. That is not true
According to the protocol we hold only
the city, bay and harbor of Manila
The remainder of the islands are not
under our control"
Mr.. Berry said that the opponents
of colonization were being urged to
agree to the ratification of the treaty.
and after such ratification General Otis
might push forward his battalions and
kill those who are fighting simply foE
freedom.
Mr.. Berry, referring to an allusiOn
made that he had not always earnestly
supported the Government of the Unit
ed States, said it was true he had serv-
ed in the Confederate army and that
there had never been a day of his life
since that he was not proud of that
service, yet he believed that the Govern
ment of the United State, under which
we are now living, was the greatest on
the face Of the earth.
II will never vote, however" he de-
clared with great emphasis, ito place
upon any people policy against which
Lee fought and against which Jackson
gave up his life
Mr.. Platt Comm, then addressed the
Senate upon the various resolutions.
He said
This resolution is one OF series Of
resolutions which have been introduced
from time TO time in this body with
a view to declaring what our policy L.
not to be. SO far as | have heard, no.
body except the Senator from Massachu-
setts (Mr. Hoar) has signifed what he
thought the policy of the country ought
to be-"
After analyzing the several resolutions
offered and adverting to the Bacon reSo-
luton he said that it could mean but
one thing and that was that if the
treaty was ratified it would be the duty
of this Government to relinquish the
Philippines Immediately to the inhabi
tants, without reference to our rights i'll
the premises.
THE resolutions do not say So" inter
jected Mr.. Bacon. Indeed they say
quite the contrary"
tions and said
IF the statements made in these reso-
lutions are true no other construction
could be placed upon them by the inhabi-
tants of the Philippines than that the
islands are to be turned over to them
Immediately"
Mr.. Platt went on to say that we had
had war which had ended gloriOuslS
for the country and for the cause OF
free government throughout the world
and now, almost six months since the
protocol was signed the Treaty Of
Peace which had been agreed upon was
not ratified.
Returning to the situation as it nov
confronts the country, Mr.. Platt paid
his respects to Aguinaldo:
THE situation in the Philippines" he
said, ''is critical Aguinaldo is in arms.
He is using arms furnished to him by
the United States. That is the situation.