The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-25
Says Senator Lodge, to Acquire Ter
ritOry and to Hold It.
SENAT0RCLAY YAGREES WITH HIM
But Contends That Such Policy
Would he Detrimental TO Our In
tercsts- Had il Been Announ-
Ced Prior 20 tile War the
War Resolution Would
Have Failed.

table speeches were delivered in the sem
ate to-day-one by Mr.. Lodge. Of Massa-
chusetts and the other by Mr. Clay. OF
! Georgia. While the two Senators differed
/ diametrically as to the policy Of cxpan-
sion upon which they dwelt. both re IN
favor OF the immediate ratification or
the pending peace treaty. They contend
that once the treaty is ratified. Congress
will have full power to deal with condi-
tions respecting the territory acquired
during the war with Spain, and not be-
fore.
Mr.. Lodge began his Ieech by stating
that the United States has undoubtedly
the power. which It had frequently ex-
ercised. TO acquire territory and 90 hold
and govern H. Continuing. he said:
II have heard no opposition expressed
TO any part Of the treaty. except such
portion Of It as relates to the Philip
pines.
IS NON-COMMTTTAL
''The treaty cedes the Philippines TO
us. It IS wise and skilfully drawn. lt
commits us to no policy to no coarse
OF action whatever in regard 10 the
Philippines
when that treaty is ratified we have
full power and are absolutely free to do
with those islands as we please; and
the opposition TO its ratification may be
summed up in a single sentence-that
the American people and the American
Congress are not TO be trusted with that
power and with that freedom Of action
I'm regard to the inhabitants Of those
distant islands
I'VE must either raufy the treaty or
reject IL. for / cannot suppose that any
one can seriously advance the PROPOSE
tion that we should amend the treaty
in sucl a way as to make pledges 10
Spain, and to Spain alone. and 10 give
bonds 10 Spain. and 10 Spain alone Tor
our conduct in a matter which would be
wholly our own TO decide.
CAN BIZ TRUSTED.
81 believe that We can be trusted as
people 20 deal honestly and justly with
the islands and their inhabitants thus
given TO our care. What our precise
policy shall be l do not know, but 1 be-
live that we shall have the wisdom not
To attempt TO incorporate those islands
with our body polite or TO make their
inhabitants part of our citizenship, or
set their labor alongside Of ours and
within our tariff TO compete in any in-
dustry with American wOrkmen. / be-
lieve that we shall have the courage not
to depart from these islands fearfuly.
timidly and unworthily and leave them
20 anarchy among themselves, 10 the
brief and bloody domination Of one half
constituted dictator and 10 the, quick
conquest Of other powers who will have
no such hesitation as we should feel in
crushing them into subjection by harsh
methods. Il is for us to decided in re-
gard to the Philippines, not for Europe
and we can do IL alone
CONSEQUENCE or REJET1CON.
Suppose We reject the treaty or
strike out the clause relating 10 the Phil
ippines. that will hand the Islands back
to Spain: and / cannot conceive that any !
American should be willing to do that. !
Suppose we reject the treaty what fol- |
lows. We continue the state OF war and /
every sensible man in the country, every /
business interest desires the re-establsh- |
ment of peace in law as well as IN fact. AT /
the same time We repudiate the President |
and his action before the whole world, !
and the reputation Of the President In /
such a matter as this Is TO my mind the !
humiliation of the United States IN the /
eyes OF civilized mankind and brands las /
as a people incapable OF great efforts or /
Of taking rank where we belong as one
Of the greatest Of the worlds powers"
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Lodges
speech, Mr.. Teller Colorado addressed
the Senate upon a question with respect |
to the constitutional powers Of the gov
ernment in the territories. both prior 90
the starting OF the legislative machinery /
relating to the territories and subsequent
ly thereto.
MR.. CI4AY'S VIEWS.
Mr.. Clay then addressed the Senate
on the general question OF territorial ex-
pansion. He made 1t very clear that no
thing should be allowed TO stand in the
way OF prompt ratification but that this
government should hold out to the Phil
ippines the same promise Of ultimate in
dependence that are held out 10 the
Cubans
Mr.. Clay began by expressing the opin-
ion that had II been declared at the be-
ginning Of the war that 1t was the pur-
pose OF this country TO conquer, acquire
and annex the Philippines, the PROPOSE
tion would not have had half a dozen
votes In the Senate. He believed the
question OF possible acquisition and an
of the Philippines as natural
result of the war would have prevented
the passage of the war resolution by
Congress Discussing further the pur-
poses OF the war he quoted Presidents
message to Congress declar-
|
sist the people OF Cuba to build up a
that is free and independent
and asked why should not the same de-
rlarations be made with regard 60 the
people Of the Philippines.
The responsibility Is in our hands and
we must meet 1t in a practical, common
sense way.
WE HAVE THE RIGHT.
lie admitted the right Of the govern
nent to acquire the Philippines and 20
govern them as any other territory be-
onging to the United States, but he con-
tended that such policy would be un-
wise and against the best interest Of
he people OF the United States
Mr.. Clay described the islands and their
inhabitants. contending that there can be
10 hope for American communities being
)uif up In that territory capable OF
statehood. About the only sure result or
IN attempt to maintain government in
he Philippines, which he could see. was
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