New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-01
GRAY DEFENDS THE TREATY
DOES NOT ADVOCATE PERMANENT OCCU-
PATTON OF THE PHILIPPINES.
HE TELLS HOW HE WAS WON OVER TO A
DECISION TO TAKE THE WHOLE GROUP
RATIFICATION OPPOSED BY
SENATOR MONEY
SENATOR MONEY.

SENATOR MONEY.
Washington Jan 31.-Senators Gray and
Money occupied the entire executive session OF
the Senate to-day in speeches on the Peace
Treaty Senator Gray favoring ratification and
Senator Money opposing IT,
Senator Gray was the third Of the Peace Com
missioners TO speak. and while he gave some
attention to the published matter bearing on the
treaty he did not go into this in so much detail
as did Senators Frye and Davis. He admitted
that In the beginning Of the negotiations he had
been opposed 20 the acquisition Of the Philippine
Archipelago, and said that he had freely and
frankly advised the President and his fellow
Commissioners Of his belief that It would be un-
wise TO attempt to shape the destiny Of the ISL
ands He had used his best sndeavors to bring
them to accept his views but had utterly failed.
He at last reached the conclusion that he would
either have to Join with the majority or see the
treaty fail and the war continue In the mean
time he had been largely over by the ar
guments Of his colleagues and by the logic OF
the situation. and he had ar last decided TO
sign the treaty.
THE COMMISSIONERS DECISION.
Having taken his position. he was here now
TO defend the treaty as wise conclusion OF
a most delicate diplomatic undertaking. Many
complications had beset the Commissioners In
their work and while he would not retract what
he had heretofore said 10 the undesirabty
OF acquiring distant territory as matter OF
principle still there were times when nation,
as an individual. might have to choose between
evils. There was danger of many complications
of an International character In case the United
States had elected to pursue different policy.
He reiterated that the ultimate decision TO take
the entire Philippine group was that or the
Commissioners rather than OF the President. and
he also went into the difficulties OF getting the
Spanish Commissioners to come 70 a conclusion.
Senator Gray did not advocate permanent oc-
oupation OF the Philippines. but said that the
duration OF sovereignty there should Re settled
in the future and not at present
In reply to a question by Senator Mason, he
said that he would not attempt to fix a time
that this only could be done after an oppor-
tunity TO study the situation. to know the people
and learn their capacities He had every conf
dence in the American people and he believed
that they would not only give the natives their
freedom when they had shown capacity for
taking care OF themselves but that they would
manage the affairs OF the islands wisely and
well while they controlled them. They would
give the islanders fair start in civilization be-
fore turning them loose 70 SHIFT for themselves
SENATOR MONEYS ARGUMENT.
Senator Money attacked the acquisition OF the
islands as contrary to the spirit OF American
institutions and as unconstitutional He said
the Government Of the United States could not
afford to put Itself in the attitude Of a Don
Quixote in a vain effort to care for and advance
the interests Of every people in every land that
appeared according to American standards Of
civilization 10 need help. He had been an ad-
vocate Of Intervention in the case OF Cuba. but
from this fact 1t did not follow that he was
willing to transfer the Philippines from spanish
vassaage to a dependency Of the United states.
He did not consider that this country was es-
pecially concerned as 10 the future Of the Fill
pinos and so far he was concerned, he would
leave them 70 work out their own salvation.
This would he far preferable TO assuming re-
sponsbty for them and making them citizens
OF the United States. as they would inevitably
come 10 be II the treaty should he ratified. AL
lies had been made OF them In the war by the
acts Of American agents, and In the interest OF
fair dealing they should be allowed 70 accom-
plsh their independence II they could do so.
Senator Teller in a brief retoinder controverted
this position. saying that an act Of Congress
would be necessary TO Ak the status or the
Filipinos.
Senator rToar indorsed Senator Moneys views