The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-12
THE PHILIPPINES ISSUE.
Senator Foraker Says The United States
WIN Only Mold Islands Temporarily.
INTEND TO GIVE THEM FREE GOVERNMENT
bacon Introduces Joint Resolutton
setting Forth that II would &c
Had Faith to Hold Them.

Washington. January 1f.--A climax was
reached today in the debate on the ques-
ton of expansion which Is in progress in
the senate. Heretofore all of the speeches
i with the notable exception of that OF Mr..
Plat of Connecticutt. have been in oppo-
sition to what is presumed TO be the pol
icy OF the administration with respect to
the acquisition of the Philippines. Today
MIR. Foraker of Ohio addressed the senate
IN opposition to the declaration of the
Vest resolution that the United States has
no constitutional power to acquire foreign
territory 10 be maintained as colonies.
While much OF his speech was devoted
to constitutional argument in support Of
the right OF This country as nation to
acquire and govern outly ing territory, he
gave particular attention TO the utter
ances that have been made In contravcn-
ton Of that position, aud especially those
lof MIR. Vest and MIR. Hoar.
Mr.. Foraker has clear, direct and
forceful style OF oratory which commands
attention. not only by reason of the rec
cgnzed ability OF the man, but also by
his impetuosity and power as a speaker.
He is at his best IN running fire Of de-
bate and the frequency OF Interruptions
today afforded him ample opportunity to
elucidate his argument to the best advan-
| tage He laid down the broad proposition
that TO adopt the Vest resolution would
declare that our forefathers had brought
forth a nation that was inferior to all
other nations regardless of the generally
accepted idea that one nation was the
equal of another and all equally restricted.
He maintained that the right to acquire
territory was an inherent right Of nation
ality and that as we have the light to
make war and to enter into treaty agree
ments II follows logically that we have
the right to acquire territory by conquest
and to assume the responsibility that may
accrue therefrom. Mr.. Foraker's strong
assertion that the acquisition of the Phil
ippines was temporarily In character Great
ed a sensation In the chamber. He main
tanned, however. that we have legal
right to hold the islands permanently.
Vice President Hobart presided over the
senate today for the first time since the
holiday recess. having heretofore been de-
tanned at his home by an attack of grip
4 A bill authorizing Lieutenant Colonel
1 Vifouain of the Third Nebraska to accept
| from the emperor of China the decoration
! of the Order of the ouble Dragon for dis
tinguished services rendered. was passed.
Mr.. Bacon (Ga.) offered the following
resolution:
u 4. That the government and people of the
United States have not waged the recent
war with Spain for conquest and for the
acquisition Of foreign territory, hui solely
for the purpose set forth IN the resolution
of congress, making the declaration OF said
war. the acquisition OF such small tracts
of land or harbors as may be necessary for
governmental purposes being not deemed
inconsistent with the sarge
Q That in demanding and receiving the
cession of the Philippine islands it is not
the purpose of the government of the
United States to secure and maintain do
minion over the same as part of the ter
ritory of the United States nor to incorpo-
rate the inhabitants thereof ae citizens OF
the United States and to hold said inhab-
jtants as vassals or subjects of this govern
ment.
| g. That whereas. at the time of the dec
laration of war by the United States
against Spain and prior thereto, the tnhao-
itants of the Philippine islands were act
lively engaged in war with Spain to
achieve their INDEPENDENCE; and, whereas.
said purpose and the military operations
Hereunder have not been abandoned but
are still being actively prosecuted there
under.
Il Therefore, IN recognition Dl anu outut~
ence to the vital principle announced in the
great declaration, that governments de-
rive their just powers from the consent
of the governed" the government of the
United States recognizes that the people
of the Philippine islands of right ought
! to be free and independent; that with this
view and to give effect to the same the gov
ernment of the United States has required
| the government of Spain to relinquish It's
authority and government In the Philippine
islands and to withdraw Its land and naval
forces from the Philippine islands and
from the waters thereof.
4. That the United States hereby dis
4 claim any disposition or intention to OK
ercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said islands and assert their deter
mination when an independent government
shall have been duly erected therein en-
: titled to recognition as such TO TRANSFER
, to said government upon terms which sinai
, be reasonable and Just all rights secured
under the cesson by Spain and to there
upon leave the government and control Of
the islands to their people.
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska offered the fol-
, lowing resolution:
THAT any aggressive action by tho
army or navy on the part OF the unitet
! States against the Philippines would be
an act of war unwarranted on the par
of the president and the exercise of con
a stitutional powers vested exclusively In
congress.
I'm submitting this resolution. Mr.. Pres
d ident," said MI. Allen, II desire to mako
Q como observations, but Will not enter upor
discussion OF the mooted question OF AZ
, imperialistic policy, reserying that unit
later date, when / hope TO present m,
views quite fully. ] am led to Introduce
this resolution because the pross dispatche'
indicate that our troops are moving upoI
the people of Iloilo ] introduce it as
protest against the waging of war by n
, president and the army and navy withou
the authority of congress. | think it i
a fact indisputable that war can not b.
e legally waged without the authority o
: congress through a formal declaration
In my opinion. there can be no doubt tina
S whatever of possessory rights We ma
(; have in the Philippine islands we acquire'
from Spain"
Mr.. Allen then proceeded TO discuss tn
: situation In tho Philippines, and inali
: declared that the officers OF the army an
q navy were pressing affairs forward in III
4 islands into a critical state.
!. He was interrupted by Mr.. Hoar, VIII
:. laaatrod IN innuira hpVhare IN wa IN