Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-30
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr.. Frye Continues His Explanation Of the
Peace Commissions Work.

Washington. Jan. Ex-senator Frye con-
tinued his argument for the ratification
of the peace treaty with Spain in Satur-
days executive session of the Senate. lie
talked for an hour and half and again
made the only speech of the days ses-
sion.
The principal questions under consider
alton, Saturday, were those relating 10
the payment of claims against the Span
ish government. the resolutions for agree
ing to pay Spain for the Improvements
for extending to Spain the benefit of an
open door policy in her former posses
sions.
There were various Interruptions by
other senators, who, however, confned
themselves to questions.
In reply to a question relating to the
Presidents Instructions, Mr. Frye said
the commissioners We're in constant COM
munication with the President and thar
the latter had cabled them on more than
one occasion to use their best Judgment
in reaching conclusions and recording ra-
suits.
He said that the question of claims OF
American citizens against Spain, when
claims the United States, by the terms OF
the treaty, had agreed to pay. had occu-
pied much of the time and been the SUD-
ject of anxious thought on the part of the
commission. but that there was no other
practical solution of the problem. in view
of the poverty of Spain, and in fact no
other policy was compatible with the rep
utatiOn of the United States as a nation
which Knew now TO De generous as well
as just. He said that there are about 81,
100000 Of these claims, and possibly the
amount might reach $l500O.OO0. Spain had
agreed, as an offset to this concession, TO
pay the claims of Spanish citizens against
the United States government. but NJ.
Frye admitted that the aggregate of these
colnterclaims was not large.
Senator Frye also said that the COM
missioners had felt that they We're just
fed in drawing upon the generosity OF
this country in agreeing to pay S2o'oo0 ,oy0
to Spain for the improvements made by
the Spanish government, and in concedng
to Spain for Il term Of years the same
privileges as claimed for. the United
States in the matter of trade in the con-
quered country.
Such concessions were in the. line of
precedents set by the most civilized ma
tons. Great Britain's policy had been IN
the line of constant extension Of the open
door policy, but whether or not the
United States meant to adopt this policy
upon the whole, he felt sure that history
would commend the United States course
in the present instance.
In agreeing to pay Spain lump sum
we were also following the best poiicy.
Many quotations We're read to SHOW thai
other nations had pursued tnis course TO-
ward their vanquished rivals. and especi1 Al
stress was laid upon the German coufsf
in taking Alsace and Lorradne aPoo od,i Ir0m' 9,l
when as was the case of the United
States and Spain. in the matter OF the
Philippines. the doctrine that ,misnt
the exclusion of all ideas OF fairness and
honor, and the territory taken simply as
the result of conquest.
Thel effort of the American commits
soners to secure control of the Caroline
Islands was also explained. Mr.. Frye
stated that the Spaniards had absolutely
refused to discuss the proposition. Our
offer of 81 OG0, coo for the islands had APP
peared to nave no effect whatever. They
mad even declined in the most positive
manner to cede one of the islands OF thls
group as a cable station.
Referring TO the present situation IN the
Philippines. Senator Tilman asked Sena-
tor Frye if he WAS willing to nave our
troops fire upon the Filipinos. to when
Mr.. Frye rcpl.d THAI the firing stage had
not vet been reached, and he noped that
the treaty would be soon ratified ana TINS
stage thus probably averted for sood;
In conclusion he referred to the great
Improvement in religious and spiritua!
way that would result from American oc-
cupation of the islands. saying no man
who would have the Gospel preached 10
all nations could view with equanlmitN
the prospect of restoration OF the
ISLANDS to Spain or their partition among
other nations.
To reject the treaty meant the restora-
ton of the status quo, to give up Manila
and all the points taken after the signing
of the protocol, and to lose all the vast
advantages acquired through the war IN
the far East.
Senator Mason asked whether it was
the purpose of the United States to pay
the $50 900, 900 indemnity before IN,
United States should come into the full
possession and occupation of the country
"l want to know" he said "whethei
we are to pay the money before tf'
goods are deivered?
Mr. DAVIS. replying, referred Mr.. Mas n
to the text of the treaty. He sad th'
Spaniards had shown their good faith bs
preparing as speedily as possible to eVae
iiate the cedcd islands. They had ceased
to defend them for themselves. and there
fore Spain could not be held responsible
for any failure on our part TO avail our
selves of sovereignty. He understood tina
- the ratification Of the treaty bound us Il
the pavment of the indemnity regardless
of the attitude of the natives of th'
Philippines.