Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-12
55th CONGRESS.
Senator Foraker Champions
the Cause Of Expansion.
Have Right to Make War and treaties,
Why Not Acquire Territory?
Creates Sensation by Saying Occupation Of
Philippines is Only Temporary.

! Washington, Jan. IA climax was
reached, today, in the debate on the
question of expansion which is in pro-
gress in the Senate. Heretofore all the
speeches with the notable exception or
that of Mr.. Plat, CON- have been in
opposition to what is presumed to be
the policy of the administration with
respect TO the acquisition of the Phil
ippines. Today. Mr.. Foraker Ohio. ad-
dressed the Senate in opposition to the
declaration of the Vest resolution that
the United States had no constitutional
power to acquire foreign territory 10
be maintained as colonies. While
much of his speech was devoted to a
constitutional argument in support OF
the right Of this country as nation
to acquire and govern outlying terri
tory, he gave particular attention TO
the utterances that have been made
in contravention of that position. es-
pec;ally those of Mr.. Vest and Mr..
HOar.
MIR Foraker had a clear, direct, and
forceful style of oratory which COM
mands attention He is at his best in
|
quency of interruption afforded him
ample opportunity to elucidate his ar
gument to the best advantage. He
laid down the broad proposition that
TO adopt the Vest resolution was that
to declare that our fathers had brought
forth nation that was inferior to all
other nations regardless Of the gener.
ally accepted idea that one nation was
| . Of ON NIL
restricted. He maintained that the
right to acquire territory was an in
herent right of nationality and that as
we have the right 10 make war and to
enter into treaty agreements. it fol-
lowed logically that we had the power
to acquire territory by conquest and
to assume the responsibilities that
might accrue therefrom.
Mr. Foraker's strong assertion that
the acquisition of the Philippines was
temporary in character created SEN
sation in the chamber. He maintained.
however. that we had legal right to
permanently hold the islands.
Prior TO the speech by Mr.. Foraker.
a sharp debate was preciptated by Mr..
Allen, Neb.. by some remarks he made
upon the resolution he had introduced.
| MI. Iiodl IhfSS., stIiNt MI way ~ l..
We're drawn into it.
Vice President Hobart presided over
the Senate. Wednesday. for the first
time since the holiday recess, having
heretofore been detained AT mis- home
by an attack of grip.
A bill authorizing Lieut.. Col. VIII
quain of the 3rd Nebraska to accept
from the Emperor of China the deco
! ration OF the order of the double dra-
COON. for distinguished services rem
dered. was passed.
Bacon. Ga, offered the following
joint resolution: THAT the govern
ment and people of the United States
have not waged the recent war with
Spain for conquest and for the acqui-
stion of foreign territory. but solely
for the purpose set forth in the reso-
luton of Congress making the Gecla-
ration of said war, the acquisition of
such small tracts of lands OF harbors.
as may be necessary for governmental
purposes being not deemed incon-
sistent with the same.
''2-That in demanding and in re-
| ceiving the concession of the Philip
pine islands, it is not the purpose of
to scure and maintain dominion over
| the same as part of the territory of
the United States or to incorporate the
inhabitants thereof as citizens of the
United States or to hold said inhab-
| tants as vassals or subjects of this
| government.
"3-That whereas at the time of the
declaration of war by the United
rNrta, e IA
the inhabitants Of the Philippine is
lands were actively engaged in "a war
with Spain to achieve their independ-
ence, and whereas said purpose and
the military operations hereunder
have not been abandoned but are still
being actively prosecuted Hereunder,
therefore in recognition and in Obed
ence to the vital principle announced
in the great declaration that govern
ments receive their just powers from
the consent of the governed, the gov
eminent of the United States recog
nizes that the people of the Philippine
islands of right ought to be free and
independent; that with this view ana
to give effect to the same. the govern
ment of the United States has required
the government of Spain to relinquish
its authority and government in the
Philippine islands, and to withdraw it's
land and naval forces from the Phil
| ippine islands and from the waters
thereof.
"4-That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over said islands and assert
their determination when an indie