The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-03
CARTER ON THETREATY
-
Montana Senator Makes a Strong
Address on Ratification of
Peace Treaty.
AN EARNEST SPEECH
Favorable Vote on Pending Resolution
Would Be q Lack of Confidence
in the American People.

Washington. Jan. 31.-An effort on
the part Of Mr.. Allison to obtain con,
sideration in the senate yesterday for
the Indian appropriation bill precipi-
tated a running debate, which occu-
o'clock went into executive session on
the peace treaty. Jones (Ark.), lead
ing the opponents Of the treaty, opened
the debate by insisting that time
should be taken for the discussing of
pending resolutions having a collateral
bearing upon the treaty before the
treaty itself was disposed of, and Mr..
Bacon's resolutions finally were laid
before the senate.
After some parliamentary sparring
the resolutions were made the text OF a
strong speech by Mr.. Carter mont. y.
Ordinarily calm and deliberate in his
%utterances, Mr.. Garter yesterday spoke
with impassioned earnestness, warn
ing his colleagues that q favorable vote
on any Of the pending resolutions would
be a vote of lack of confidence in the
American people. He declared that
the adoption of the amendments would
be a pledge to those who were defying
the authority of this country in the
Philippines, and then when the treaty
had been ratified, this government
would inquire in those islands who
were in rebellion against our authority,
and if necessary to maintain our
authority, we would whip them to
death. 4
Mr.. Carter discussing not only the
resolutions offered by Mr.. Bacon, but
also the situation as it was presented
to the senate, declared that no public
interest and no sound public policy re-
quired a vote upon the resolutions at
this session of congress. A favorable
vote upon and of the pending resolu-
tions before conclusion Of work on the
treaty Of peace would be a lack Of con-
16dence in the American people. The
treaty now under consideration did not
render it either desirable or proper
that this congress should pass upon the
future Of the Philippine islands. He
declared that there was no disposition
on the part of anyone to dispose of the
Philippines in any other way than the
enlightened Judgment and acute intelli-
gence Of the American people should
dictate. So far as he was personally
concerned, Nh. Carter said he was not
disposed to mortgage the future to at
tempt to embarrass in any manner the
next or any future congress.
The treaty did not bind congress to
do anything that was not in c~onsonance
with the enlightened sense Of the
American people. For that reason,
therefore. he asked, do the gentlemen
who are urging the adoption of these
resolutions seek-to bind the action Of
the next congress? He pointed out
that our information concerning the
Philippines and their inhabitants was
very meagre, aud he desires ample time
to consider what was wise and prudent
and best to do with the newly acquired
territory before definite action vas
taken.
MI. Mason inquired whether, BY the
terms of the treaty, the United States
did not give to Spain certain trade
rights in the Philippines.
Mr.. Carter replied that it did and
that if the sovereignty Of the islands
were transferred by this country to any
other nation, it would be subject to
those treaty obligations.
"Then we do take the sovereignty
of the islands," inquired Mr.. Mason.
Mr.. Carter replied that in the very
nature Of things the sovereignty of the
islands. so far as it was in the posses
sion Of Spain, passed by the treaty tt
the United States.
Continuing his discussion Of the
pending resolutions, Mr.. Carter said
the adoption of them would be a volun'
tary tying of the hands of congress ani
the administration.
Mr.. Teller inquired if there was any
thing in the resolutions to prevent the
government from exercising at leas,
temporary sovereignty in the islands
with the intention, subsequently, o.
allowing them self government. HI
believed that, of course, it would b,
necessary to exercise some sort Of con
troll over the islands, at least for a time
Mr.. Teller then offered an amendment
to the resolutions covering this poin'
and Mr.. Bacon accepted it.
Resuming. Mr.. Carter said that sen
ators were belittling the dignity ant
destroying the confidence reposed il
this country by foreign nations by gu
deayoring to mortgage the future pol
10y of the government and voting ,
Jack Of confidence In the nation by evei
attempting to adopt such resolutions III
were pending. He declared that tn,
passage Of such acts was u declaration
that the people had no confidence II
those who were TO DO IN q position Il
maks . disposition u tho islands II
noccsdapce with thu terms Of th'
treaty. Il amounted 10 u pledge u
ousselvrs that va did not propose TO d
WHIST We did NOT want 10 do. u wenlt
hnve bsen yust and proper. no said. 10
~ Grs> ona2fess n hind Cd1aNseaa f0y 1