The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-29
FRYE EXPLAINS THE TREATY.
GENEROSITY LED TO THE PAYMENT
OF THE S2O,OOO,OOO.


Washington Jan. 2S.-Senator Frye con-
tinued his argument for the ratification of
the peace treaty with Spain in to-day's
executive session of the Senate. He talk
ed for an hour and half and again made
the only speech of the days session.
The principal questions under considera-
ton to-day were those relating 10 the pay
ment of claims against the Spanish gov
ernment, the reasons for agreeing to pay
Spain for the Improvements made in the
Philippines and the reasons for extending
to Spain the benefit of an open door policy
in her former possessions.
There were various Interruptions by
themselves to questions. In reply TO one
of these questions relating to the Presi-
dents instructions, Mr.. Frye said the com
missioners were in constant communica-
ton with the President and that the latter
had cabled them on more than one occa-
sion to use their best judgment on reach
ing conclusions and recording results.
Payment of the Claims.
He said that the question of claims of
American citizens against Spain had occu-
pied much of the time and had been the
subject of much anxious thought on the
part of the commission, but that there
was no other practical solution of the
problem in view of the poverty of Spain,
and, in fact, no other policy was compad-
bic with the reputation of the United
States as a nation which knew how to be
| generous as well as just.
He said there were about $12, 00OO 600 of
those claims and possibly the amount
might reach $l5OOO,OOO. Spain had agreed
as an offset to this concession on our
part, to pay the claims of Spanish citi-
zens against the United States govern
ment, but Mr.. Frye admitted that the ag-
| gregate of these counter claims was not
large.
Generosity to Vanquished.
Senator Frye also said that the commits
sioners had felt that they were justified in
drawing upon the generosity of this coun-
try in agreeing to pay $40, 100000 to Spain
for the claims by the Spanish government,
and in conceding to them for term of
years the same privileges as claimed for
the United States in the matter Of trade
in the conquered country. Such conces-
sions. he sa,1, were In the line with the
| precedents set by the most civilized ma
tions. Great Britain's policy had been in
the line of a constant extension of the
open door policy, but whether or not the
United States meant to adopt this policy
upon the whole. he felt sure that history
would commend the course in the present
instance.
In agreeing to pay Spain a lump sum
we were also following the best precedents
as we'll as consulting the most generous
national sentiment. Many questions were
read to show that other nations had pur-
sued this course toward their vanquished
rivals, and especial stress was laid on
the course of Germany in taking Alsace-
Lorraine from France and paying for them
$500 100000, when, as was the case with
the United States and Spain in the matter
of the Philippines, the doctrine that might
makes right could have been consulted to
the exclusion Of all IDEAS of fairness and
honor and the territory taken simply as
the result of conquest
Held on to the CaroIines.
The effort of the American commissions
ers to secure control OF the Caroline Is
lands was also explained, Mr.. Frye stat
ing that the Spanish commissioners had
absolutely refused TO discuss The PROPOSE
ton. Our offer of a million dollars for the
islands appeared to have no effect what
ever. They had even declined in the most
positive manner TO cede one Of the islands
Of This group as a cable station.
Referring to the present situation in the
Philippines, Senator Tillman ASKED Sepa-
TOR Frye # he was willing to have our
fro 90
Mr. Frye replied that the firing stage
had not YET been reached there, and he
hoped that the treaty would soon be rati-
fed and this Stage thus probably averted
for good
In conclusion he referred to the great
Improvement in a religious and spiritual
way that would result from American oc-
cupation of the islands. saying that no
man who would have the gospel preached
to all nations could view with equanimi,y
the prospect Of n restoration Of the ISL
ands to Spain or the restoration Of the
status quo, to give up Manila and all che
points taken after the signing of the pro
tocol and to lose al the vast advantages
acquired in the Far East through the war
Mason Asks n Question.
Senator Davis answered question nut
by Senator Mason. The question was
whether il was the purpose of the United
states 70 pay tltN F-Ngu9VtNbt iilItNnlfV until
the United States should come into the
fun possession and occupation of the coun-
try.
Il want 10 know" the Illinois senator
asked. whether we are to pay the money
before the goods are delivered"
Mr.. Davis referred Mr.. Mason to the
text of the treaty for his>feply He said
the spaniards had shown their good faith
by preparing as speedily as possible TO
evacuate the ceded Islands They bad
ceased to defend them for themselves. ana
therefore, Spain could not be held respon
sible for any failure on our part TO avail
ourselves Of sovereignty. He understood
that the ratification of the treaty bound
us to the payment Of the indemnify regard
less OF the attitude Of the natives of the