The times., 1899-01-24
TUESDAY, JANUARY "a. 1899.
stand by the Treaty.

The obstructionists of the Senate appear
10 have been thinking. There are indica-
tions that they are far from serene over
the prospect of being held to account for
the troubles that may arise and the admin
istratiye difficulties that may be increased
by unnecessary delay in the ratification of
The Treaty of Peace. They seem to be
suddenly fearful that the question may
rot be brought to vote at this session, in
which case they must bear the fun respon-
sibility They find little toleration among
the people Their arguments are brushed
aside as unworthy of serious consideration.
Clearly it is not pleasant to antagonize a
strong public sentiment by standing for the
rejection OF a treaty OF peace, for the haul
ing down of the flag raised by Dewey, for
the strengthening of armed rebels. who
defy American authority and threaten
American soldiers.
The evidence of their uneasiness is in
the schemes they propose whereby the ma
peDse of another peace convention by the
. ratification OF the Treaty. They suggest
changes in the document that will enable
them 10 withdraw their objections. Be
fore the recent expressions of popular
desire for the retention of the Philip
pines they professed to be confident of
the rejection OF the Treaty. They were
aggressive. II was not their affair if il
made another peace congress necessary.
Since then they have disclaimed any pur-
pose TO embsrrass the President They
would gladly ratify his action II the ma
jority would consent to resolution pledg-
ing ultimate independence to the FlIipinos
They have become eager. The mere elm
ination OF few words viii convert them
into ardent supporters of the Treaty. They
do not ask for any pledge of independence
for the Philippines. but only the surrender
OF Spanish sovereignty to nobody in par
ticular
They are or the run. There is no reason
why the majority should go to their aid.
Even if the suggested compromise were
less important than it might be made to
appear, the unconditional ratification of the
Treaty is worth all the delay will cost
though that should be all that is feared
II is far more-essential 10 our success in
the administration OF Philippine affairs
that the President should have the vote OF
confidence and support. which ratification
without amendment or qualification would
mean. than that he should avoid the delay
desirable as that would be. To submit IL
any modification Of treaty that required
such constant frmness to effect would b,
construed by Aguinaldo as an evidence o
divided sentiment among the American
people. which does not exist, as proof Of
the weakness of the President, who neyel
was stronger than in this matter of Amer
lean rule in the Philippines. 1t would en-
courage factionaI and wanton opposition tC
future legislation affecting that territory
He cannot afford to pay any such price
for immediate action, valuable as thai
would be
Senator Davis and the members of the
committee having the matter in charge
should not give the least consideration
to any proposition that involves modi-
fcation, no matter how trivial and incon-
sequential in itself. but should wait pa
tiently for the ratification Of the Treaty
exactly as it stands. They are sure OF
victory They should be more inhexibie
than ever because of the wavering in the
ranks of the worried obstructionists.
The postponement may involve the coun-
try in serious complications II is certain
that the success of the minority in delay
ing ratification will give to Aguinaldo a
frner hold on his ignorant and deluded
followers and il may fortify the agents of
Germany in their hope of final authority
in the Philippines. But worse than these
grave consequences would be the
results of discrediting the Admin
istration by refusal to accept It's
work without alteration. The country /,
for The unchanged Treaty and will know
exactly where the blame lies. The time 1,
short for the minority 10 escape popular