Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-02
FREEDOM FOR The ISLANDS
Resolution in Senate to Grant New Acquisi-
tons Eventual Liberty.
ATTEMPTS TO VOTE ON TREATY FAIL
Arguments Are Made hat Expansion
In Against National Policy-Mr.
Lindsay Has Resolution on
the Subject.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Flor a few min
utes in the senate this afternoon 1t seemed
likely that a vote might be taken on one or
more Of the resolutions relating to expansion
that are pending before that body.
An unusually large number OF republican
senators was in attendance, all Of them hav-
ing been notified to be present in the event
of a critical vote on the pending question.
Mr.. Bacon OF Georgia had called UP his res
olutions and Mr.. Chandler of New Hamp-
shire had withdrawn his motion to refer
them to the committee on foreign relations.
Mr.. Sullivan Of Mississippi had entered a
motion to substitute his resolution for those
Of Mr.. Bacon, while Mr.. Davis, chairman
OF the foreign relations committee, had an
nounced that he was willing that a vote
should be taken Immediately. AS 1t was
evident, however, that a vote on the resolu-
tions and amendment could not be taken
before 2 o'clock-the hour fixed by unani-
nous consent for the senate to go into exec
utive session-Mr. Bacon asked for unani-
nous consent that a vote be taken at 10 80
tomorrow. To this request Mr.. Carter OF
Montana objected and the whole question
was left suspended.
Mr.. Rawlins OF Utah addressed the senate
upon the Vest anti-expansion resolution,
d~evoting the greater part Of his time to a
defense Of his position that the constitution
applies as well to people Of our territories
as those Of the states.
Mr.. Lindsay of Kentucky offered the fol-
lowing joint resolution:
That the acquisition by the United States
through conquest, treaty or otherwise, OF
territory not adjacent to and geographically
part of the continent of North America car
ries with 1t no constitutional or moral obli-
cation to admit said territory or any por-
ton thereof INTO the federal union as a state
or states.
That it is against the policy. traditions and
interest Of American people to admit states
erected out of such non American territories
or portions thereof into our union of Amer
lean states, at any time or under any con-
ditions.
That the United States accept from Spain
the cession Of the Philippine islands with
the hope that the people of these islands
may demonstrate their capacity to establish
and maintain q stable government capable
Of enforcing law and order at home, and Of
discharging the International obligations
resting ON separate and independent states,
and with no expectation or desire to perma-
nently hold these islands as colonies or sub
ject provinces, or of compelling their people
against their consent to submit to the au-
thority of the United States after they shall
demonstrate their capacity for self-govern-
ment as herein defined. the government Of
the United States to be the judge Of such
capacity.
At Mr.. Lindsay's request the resolution
was left on the table subject to call.
Vote on Treaty Approaches.
The senate committee on foreign relations
today discussed the various declaratory reso-
lutions before the senate in connection with
the peace treaty and decided not longer to
oppose taking the vote. The taking Of the
fret y0ta will emma on tho mntioD tn rafpr
the Bacon resolution to the committee and
this will not be opposed by members of the
committee. The committee is confident that
the result will be favorable to the motion
to refer. The committee Is also confident
of the disposition Of the other resolutions in
accordance with its ideas. 1t counts on hav-
ing all the resolutions offered by Mr.. Sulli-
van voted down. 1t will not oppose the
Sullivan measure, and 1t now looks as II it
| would be adopted.
An effort was made to secure consent to
| vote tomorrow upon the Bacon and other
resolutions, but Mr.. Carter of Montana OBJ
jected. unless the vote could take place after
| Mr.. Spooner of Wisconsin addressed the SEN
ate.
When the senate went into executive ses-
sion Senator Teller took the floor in sup
port of ratification of the peace treaty. He
replied to many Of the objections to the
treaty and urged favorable action as the
only wise and safe course for the country
under existing circumstances
During Mr.. Rawlins' speech a message was
received from the house, transmitting the
army reorganization bill. 1t was referred to
the committee on military affairs.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Rawlins' speech
the Bacon resolution was laid before the
senate.
%sullivan's R%esOlutiOn.
Mr.. Sullivan of Mississippi offered his own
resolution as a substitute for the Bacon reso-
luton. The Sullivan resolution follows:
That the ratification OF the pending treaty
Of peace with Spain shall in no wise de-
termine the policy to be pursued by the
United States in regard to the Philippines,
nor shall 1t commit this government to O
colonial policy. nor Is 1t intended to en-
barrass the establishment of a stable, indie
pendent government by the people OF those
Islands whenever conditions make such a
proceeding hopeful Of success and desirable
results.
AS the hour Of 2 o'clock was approaching
and 1t was evident that the vote could not
be taken before that hour. the time agreed
upon for executive sessions. Mr.. Bacon asked
unanimous consent that the resolutions and
any amendments thereto be voted upon i'm.
mediately upon the conclusion Of the morn
ing business tomorrow.
Mr.. Carter said that while 1t was not his
purpose to endeavor to prevent a vote on
the Bacon resolution or any resolutions
offered. he felt 1t would be discourteous to
the senator from Wisconsin. Mr.. Spooner, to
take a vote upon resolutions on which he
had announced his purpose to speak. in ad-
vance of his argument. Unless som salts
factory arrangement were made with Mr..
Spooner he would feel constrained to OBJ
ject.
The chair construed this as an objection
and the effort to obtain a vote ON the reso-
lutions failed.
At 2:05 D. m. the senate. on motion OF Mr..
Davis. went into executive session and at
5:25 .. m. adjourned.
Discuss River and HarbOr Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-The house en-
tered upon the consideration Of the river
and harbor bill today and made rapid prog
ress. Fifty Of the eighty-eight pages of
the bill had been completed when the house
adjourned. The bill appropriates directly
about s12, 500, 600 and authorizes contracts
TO the extent of SIS, OOO. 900 additional. The
general debate was unusually strong. Mr..
Hepburn of Iowa opposed the bill. a men,