The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-28
SENATE PASSES
THE ARMY BILL
Amendment of Compro-
mise Measure.
G0RMAN GAINS A VICTORY
TIME LIMIT ON INCREASE OF
REGULAR TROOPS.
White, Vest and Others Speak
Against the Bill, but It Is Dis
posed Of by a Vote of
SIS to 10.
G0RMAN GAINS A VICTORY
TIME LIMIT ON INCREASE OF
REGULAR TROOPS.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-After a con-
test that will be memorable in the his
tory of the Senate, the compromise
army reorganization bin was passed
this evening at 7:10 o'clock. When
the Senate convened at IL o'clock this
morning it seemed more than likely
that the bill might be passed during
the day. German of Maryland insist
ed that his amendment providing that
the army should not be increased per-
manently, or beyond January l, 1901,
be incorporated in the measure. For
several hours it appeared probable
that his insistence at least would
throw the bill over until tomorrow,
and perhaps defeat it. An agreement
was reported finally, however, and
Germans amendment, in a slightly
modified form, was accepted.
The notable speech of the day
against the measure was delivered by
Vest Of Missouri, but his brilliant elo-
quence availed nothing against the
measure as finally agreed upon.
Tonight the Senate took up the
sundry civil bill and completed its
reading all the committee amend
ments being agreed to except those re-
lating to the District of Columbia.
The bill was then laid aside, to be COM
pleted tomorrow.
When debate on the bill was resumed
Bate of Tennessee, member OF the Mill
tary Affairs Committee, addressed the
Senate in opposition to an increase of the
army and against warfare on the Fflipi-
nos. He regarded the measure as proba-
bly, the most important of the present SeS-
sion. He objected to the bill because it
provided twice as many men as the ext
RencieS of the situation required; because
i made distinctions between regulars and
the latter and because
ii was an entering wedge which makes US
depend on the regular army instead OF on
the consent of the people themselves. II
we were compelled to night for control IN
the Philippines we ought to charge the
cost against the $40 100000 said to be due
Spain. Until the President indicated TO
Congress his policy and purposes no addi-
tfonal troops should be granted him.
Kenney Cd offered amendments TO
the pending bill providing for the creation
of a veterinary corps TO consist OF chlet
veterinary officer, with rank, pay and al
lowances of a colonel; ten veterinarians,
each with the rank, pay and allowance
Of a fir t lieutenant of cavalry, and tWen-
~ veterinarians, each with the rank, pay
and allowances of a second lieutenant of
cavalE. Vest antagoniZed the bill, al
thoue8 he said he did so with hesitation
becaIF3e of its strong advocacy by his col
leagUA, Cockrell. He declared his belief
that the war in the Philippines was not
being conducted with the idea of giving
the E'ilipinos self-gOvernment.
Il believe he said, that this Govern
ment is to take the Philippines as an in
demIgity. 1t has so been stated in the
impeEtalistic press. But I ask now wheth-
er IL is true that the President tele-
grapned to our commissioners to take
nothing less than the island of Luzon, as
Porte Rico was worth only $4,000, 900 and
would not be a proper indemnity for the
war. ask now whether such dlspatch
was sent"
Mr.. Frye-There was not.
Vest-Is the statement true or false?
Frve-It is not true.
Vest-Was no dispatch to that effect
sent by the President to the Commission
Frye-Not to that effect.
Vest-Was there not a dispatch sent
that nothing less than the island of Luzon
would be accepted?
Frye-The Instructions of the President
when we started out were to take Luzon.
Vest-Was there not dispatch that
Porto Rico was worth only S40,00O,0 900, and
that we must have Luzon for an indem>
nifty for the war?
Vest-Was no mention made of Porto
Rico not being sufficient indemnity 1of
Fl Frye-Not at all. The Senator has
heard read in executive session every tele-
gram, cable and letter of instruction that
BASED between the President and the
Peace Commissioners.
VestEThe statement I have made was
published in the imperialistic press of the
country and 1t has never been contra
dicted until the Senator Frye) contra
For !: the purposes of my argument, -
continued Vest, Il content myself with
the statement that we were to take moth
ing less than the island of Luzon: II that
be true, how is it that the President said
in his Boston speech that this contln-
gency has come upon us by the act OF
God? He says there has been no DISPOSE
ton to exercise the power or conquest
that the people of the United states are
called upon now under an omnlpotent
Providence to dispose of the repsonslblll-
ties placed on them by accident of bat
he island to he taken. WHY
does he tell us that ne is an instrument
of Providence? ! know Of but one paral-
lei of this scheme of Christian philan-
thropy. 1t is to be found in one OF
Dickens novels, Bleak House An emf
nent divine lays his hands upon Poor 10
with me and will do you good Let me
alone cries the vagrant; let me alonei
take your hands off me. In solemn ano
friend from Montana (Carterl, the rev.
erend Mr. Chadband replied: Young
man, will not take my hdnd Ir9m your nd
/ intend to do you good in spite OF your
e' 20 /" continued Vest, sit is with the
President He places hand on the Shout
der of the Filipino and says, 1 am n
toiler and a moiler and l intend TO save
YOU in spite of yourself And he wants
100000 missionaries with rifles to shoot
his good resolutions into them"
He said that all those who were opposed
to the plans of the administration were
denoninated traitors, but he repudiated
the charge with scorn. IF spoken" he
said. at Is SANDER; If written a libel"
White of California spoke against the
bill and against the present policy in the
Philippines. To-day he said the guns OF
the Fflipinos were pointed against US and
our guns were pointed against them. The
President recognized he said, the seri-
BUSINESS of the situation, as all thoughtful
persons did. 1t seemed that the Filipinos
had been. saved from Spain only to be
turned over to another master. The prin-
cipaI ground of their resentment was that
no policy had been outlined to them; an
assurance given them of fair and just
treatment.
White said he could not contemplate the
situafion in the Philippines with any other
feeling than that of shame. There was no
possibility of assimilating the Fflipinos.
Gated the freedom of the people Of both
Cuba and the Philippines. He, agreed
with Sewei that war was likely with
Cuba. "Why, if we were to give the Gu
bans their freedom, were our armed sol
diers anchored on that island? How vain