Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-02-02
The Outlook for the Peace Treaty.

1t is unfortunate IN many respects that
the problem of the future disposition Of
the Philippines could not be disassociated
from the consideration of the treaty of
peace in the United States Senate. The
situation in those islands is unqucstion-
ably much morn serious at the present
time than who the discussion of the
treaty's provislr2s first began in the up
per branch of Congress; and it is to he
feared that the delay and the argument
urged against annexation have served to
ers who are striving to secure the estab-
lishment Of q Filipino republic.
The ratification of the treaty of peace
and the disposition of the Philippines are
two separate and distinct questions. and
they are not only left SO by the treaty
with Spain but their distinction is en-
phasized by the present situation in those
islands. BY the terms of the treaty Spain
relinquishes all sovereignty over the
Philippines, leaving their future DISPOSE
ton to the United States; and were the
treaty ratified we would be little more re-
sponsible for the control Of that archi-
pelago than we are at the present time
in the eyes Of the world. Those island
are practically in our possession now so
far as Spain is concerned, as indicated by
the Presidents proclamation to the Fill
ipinos and our military operations in the
archipelago.
The question of the ratification of the
treaty Of peace should therefore be con-
sidered on its own merits, and in the light
of the conseq fences which would inevi-
tably follow it's rejection by the Senate.
1t is not at all likely that wal with Spain
would be resumed in the event OF the fail
ure of the Senate TO ratify the treaty OF
peace, but it is we'll known that the Span
ish cortes will not consider that conven-
ton until it has been disposed OF by our
Senate. Some of the Spanish leaders are
known to be anxious for the failure oil
our Senate to accept the document in its
present form owing to their hope that
they may be able TO cause us additional
trouble in the Philippines. and It is in
reality impossible 10 predict what compli.
cations might not ensue, were the treaty
to be rejected by us.
Senator Hoar Of Massachusetts, Senator
Hale of Maine and the other ~arti-eXpan'
sionists in the Senate who oppose the rat
i~1cation of the treaty in its present form
justly their course on the ground tina
If the treaty is consummated, all hope
hope of preventing the annexation of thu
Philippines will be lost. They argue tina
the consideration of the treaty affords thu
only opportunity which the anti-expan
sionists will have to secure the modihca
ton Of the administrations policy, an,
they will therefore do their utmost t
prevent ratification at this time.
> Inasmuoh as a number of Senators VIII
: are known to be opposed to the annex
alton of the Philippines are in favor o
concluding peace at the earliest posslbl
moment, 1t would seem to be the bette
policy for the anti-annexatlonists in tn
Senate to help ratify the treaty. and the
make their fight on a resolution declarin
against annexation; but as the situatio
is at present the presentation of a variet
Of measures is made the pretex
, for the speeches on the Philir
pine question.
According to advices from Washingto
the agreement to vote on the treaty b
! February G Is generally regarded as a
r indication that the administration is cor
! hdent Of the support Of a suflcient u
: Der Of Senators to assure ratification, els'
{ It is urged a final vote would have bee
T.. postponed until an extra session. 1t
, claimed that Senator Hale would not vot
r against ratification. II the defeat of tn
: treaty would depend upon him alone.
is exceedingly anxious u avoid n s-'