Evening star., 1899-02-04
CONGRE SIS TODAY
Messrs. Chiffon and Woloott Address
the Senate.
FUTURE OF FILIPINOS DISCUSSED
Mr.. Allen introduces a DecIaratory
Resolution.
MILITARY ACADEMY BILL

At the beginning of today's session of the
Senate Mr.. Allen (Neb) offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
That the Senate of the United States in
ratifying and confirming the treaty Of
Paris does not commit itself or the govern
ment to the doctrine that the islands ac-
quired by virtue of the war with Spain are
to be annexed to or to become part of
the United States. and that the difference in
the language of said treaty as respects
the IslaEd of Cuba and its Inhabitants, and
the island of Porto Rico and Philippine Is
lands and their Inhabitants shall not be
construed or be held to be a difference in
effect but that it is the intention and pur-
pose of the Senate in ratifying said treaty
to place the inhabitants of the Philippine
Islands and Porto Rico in exactly the same
position respects their l1elations to the
United States as are the inhabitants or
Cuba
Mr. Allen gave notice that he would ad-
dress the Senate upon the resolution on
Monday. .,.
Mr.. Chiffon Addresses the Senate.
Mr. Chiffon CTexas) then addressed the
Senate on the various anti-exDansion res
olutions He asserted that he was not an
anti-annexationist or anti-expansionist
Within proper bounds he regarded 1t as the
L
He thought the acquisition of Porto Rico
and the Island of Guam was well enough,
but in the acquisition of the Philippines a
grave public policy was involved. He be-
lieved such acquisition involved serious
perils and that dangers to our government
and institutions would. constantly MANAGE
us. He did not regard the annexation of
the Philippines as at all similar to that of
Louisiana, California and other territory
now part of the United States.
halia fN1-oo hot took n
pines and they became a part of this coun-
try our people would never cease to regret
it.
Mr.. Chiffon said If our operations were
confined to Porto Rico and Cuba, we would
need no increase in the standing army, but
IL the Philippines were taken we shouiu
require an army of 10000 men to subJu-
gate the scattered and turbulent elements in
the islands and pensions would be piled on
pensions. He declared his belief that the
Supreme Court would hold that Congress
had no power to prevent the F1lfplnos from
passing from one part of the country to
another But even if the inhabitants were
shut out their products would not be and
could not be.
Mr.. Foraker (Ohio), interrupted Mr. Chill
ton called his attention to authorities for
the statement that it would be competent
for any state of the Union to protect itself
in any way 1t saw fit by levyfng import
duties on importations from the Philip
pines.
Mr.. Chiffon, declaring it was certainly not
true. He continued that the laboring people
Of the country had caught the alarm and
read a letter which he had received from
the National Cigar Makers Union, urging
Congress not to annex the Philippines, on
the ground that it would demoralize the
labor market of this country.
Mr.. Platt Comm said he had studied the
question pretty carefully and he was salts
fed that neither the Fflfoinos nor their
products could come into this country un-
less Congress SO provided.
Mr.. Chiffon replied that this was merely
the opinion of Mr. Platt and was of no
actual force or effect. He had examined
the question very carefully and had reach
ed the opposite conclusion . ..
Mr.. Chiffon said he would do with the
Philippines what the United States had
done with the republic of Liberia, on the
coast of Africa Liberia took its indepen-
dent position as sort of offshoot from the
United States and had been given moral
protection by the United States. With such
an arrangement no European government
would dare to interfere with the indepen-
dent government of the Philippines.
In conclusion, Mr.. Chiffon urged an
amendment to the treaty declaring, in ef-
feet. that we did not propose to maintain
permanent possession of the Philippines.
Then the Senate would assuredly ratify
the treaty.
Mr. Chiffon finished at 1:55 pm. and Mr..
Wolcott (Col) followed.
Mr.. woIcott for the Treaty.
He said he stood by his government and
would have supported any treaty presented
by the commissioners. He denounced the
wrangling over the treaty. The senators
who were a few months ago so certain. that
| the Cubans were capable of self-govern-
ment are now as sure that the people Of the
| Philippines were also capable of such gov
| ernnent.
Mr. Wolcott said the ratification of the
ofrfn+ dIrf1- TI,a anSi
| tion was for political advantage in the next
enough men in the chamber with patriot
! ism who would obliterate party lines and
! ratify the treaty. There was not country
! to US. with the exception of England He
| paid a tribute to that country and her
| friendship to US.
He also paid a high tribute to the Presi-
| dent saying he had ably guided the gov
ernm4nt through perilous times.
| If we abandoned the Philippines, con-
! tirded Mr. Wolcott. we would leave the
| people of the islands to the greedy and
! land-hungry nations of Europe.
Mr.. Wolcott said the Fiipinos would be
| better for our government He said that
| inevitable destiny had placed the archi-
| pelago in our hands.
| There was a demonstration in the gallery
when Mr.. Wolcott closed.
Executive Session.
| The Senate then, on motion of Mr.. Lodge
| at 2:15 pm. went into executive session
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,