New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29
SENATOR FRYE SPEAKS AGAIN
MS ARGUMENT FOR RATIFICATION OF
THE PEACE TREATY CONTINUED.

MANY QUESTIONS AS TO THE WORK OF
THE COMMISSIONERS IN PARIS AN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TREAT
MENT OF SPAIN.
washington Jan. Ex-senator Frye continued
,,s argument for the ratification Of the Peace
treaty in to-day's executive session Of the Sem
ate He spoke for an hour and half, and made
the only speech OF the session
The principal questions under consideration to-
aav were those relating 10 the payment OF
claims against the Spanish Government, the
reasons for agreeing to pay Spain for the I'M
movements made In the Philippines and the
reasons for extending TO Spain the benefit of an
onen-door policy in her former possessions.
There were interruptions by other Senators,
who. however, confined themselves 10 questions.
In reply to of these questions relating to the
Presidents instructions. Mr.. Frye said that the
commissioners were in constant communication
with the President and he had cabled TO them
on more than one occasion 10 use their pest
Judgment in reaching conclusions and recording
results.
The question Of claims Of American citizens
oca,nst Spain had occupied much Of the time
and been the subject Of much anxious thought
= ,he mart Of the Commission. Mr.. Frye said
nrt there was no other practical solution or the
rrohIe,o. in view Of the poverty of Spain. ana
=, FAC, no other policy was compatible with the
,v,a,ion Of the United States az Nation
which knew how to be generous well as just
rhore were about sl2OOOOOO OF those claims,
ND noasblv the amount might reach Slo.oW'-
on0 Snain had agreed as Offset 10 this con-
osssion 10 pay the claims Of Spanish cl'lzehs
AGAINST the United States Government but MT
FRYE admitted that the aggregate Oh '"e'o
counter-claims not large.
CONFESSIONS TO SPAIN EXPLAINED
eoua.o~ Frve also said that the Commission
o-s fa,t they were justified in drawing on the
'' .,.,. -. ,b,s country in agreeing TO pay
500 eco TO Spain for the improvements maue
:, ~ phuinnines and in cOnCeding TO Spain LOT
NV, ~ wears the same privileges as were de-
,aa for The United States IN the matter OF
Id &, the conquered country Such conces-
a,o-s wore IN the line Of presidents set by the
-. civilized nations Great Brtain's pohcy
=, 80, constant extension OF the OPEN
- h,,, whether or not the United States
r,oa-t % adopt this policy on the WhoIe lie le'
- chat history would commend the COURSE
pursued in the present instance .
T., agreeing 10 pay Spain a lump sum 'he oo''
,o,,o,. was also followed. Many quotations "ele
road 70 show that other nations had pun
This course toward their vanQuishsu ene''e''
and especial stress was laid on GERMANY II"
ZION IN taking Alsace and Lorraine from FRANCE
oua ,ay,ng FOR them 100000 600. when as was
~ oasa - the United States and Spain IN the
matter Of the Philippines, the doctrine ln"'
might makes right could have been consu'eu "
,ho EXCLUSION Of all ideas OF fairness and hohor
and the territory taken simply as the result VI
conquest. ,-. 90
The effort os the American Commissioners W
secure control Of the Caroline Islands was also
onplained Mr.. Frye said that the Spahiarus
had absolutely refused to discuss the PROPOSE
,ion The offer Of 81. 900 600 for the islands had
aopeared TO have no effect whatever Iney had
even declined in the most positive manner 10
cede one OF the islands OF this group as cable
station.
THE. SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Referring 10 the present situation in the
philippines Senator Tillman asked Senator
FRYE n he was willing TO have the American
troops fire on the Filipinos. to which Mr.. Frye
ranlisd that the firing stage had not yet been
reached and he hoped that the treaty would be
soon ratified and this danger thus probably
averted. In conclusion he referred 70 the great
religious and spiritual Improvement that would
result from American occupation Of the islands.
saving that no man who would nave the GOspel
preached 10 all nations could view with equanim-
fly the prospect Of restoring the islands TO Spain
or their partition among other nations. To re-
1ect the treaty meant the restoration OF the
status quo TO give up Manila and all the points
taken after the signing Of the protocol, and to
lose all the vast advantages gained through the
war in the Far East
Senator Davis answered question put by
Senator Mason. The question was whether II
was the purpose Of the United States 10 pay
the 100000 600 indemnity until the United States
should come into the full possession and occupa-
ton Of the country.
y want 10 know" the Illinois Senator said,
whether 20 pay the money before the
goods are delivered"
Mr. Davis referred Mr. Mason TO the text Of
the treaty for his reply. He said that the
Spaniards had shown their good faith by pre-
pairing as speedily as possible 70 evacuate the
coded islands They had ceased to defend them
for themselves. and therefore Spain could not be
held responsible for any failure the part Of
the United States to avail itself OF sovereignty.
He understood that the ratification Of the treaty
bound this country to the payment Of the in
demnity, regardless OF the attitude OF the natives
OF the Philippines