The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-24
Senator White Favors independence
For the Philippines.
N'KINLEY'S INTENTIONS
UNDOUBTEDLY INTENDS TO
HOLD THE ISLANDS.
Senator Chandler Undertakes TO In
terpret the Presidents Words,
But Was Unable to Announce
the Presidents Policy-White
Wants Congress to Declare Itself.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Diseussion OF
the policy of expansion occupied nearly
all the time of the senate in open ses-
sion today. Mr.. White Of California
one of the Democrats who has an
nounced heretofore his opposition tc
ratification Of the treaty OF peace, ad-
dressed the senate in support of the
anti-expansion resolution introduced by
Mr.. Vest Dem, Mo- and anotner res
olution Offered by Mr.. Bacon Dem.,
Ga.), declaring that the Philippines
ought to be free and Independent.
Mr.. White is a brilliant speaker, and
he was complimented by his colleagues
and a large audience in the galleries
with careful attention. He did not en-
ter into a constitutional argument, but
confined Himself to a discussion of eX-
pansion as a policy of this government.
He maintained hat sucn policy vas
contrary to the fundamental principles
OF this country, TO its history and ira
Gitions. He declared his opposition TO
the ratification of the pending treaty of
peace, but broadly intimated that a
declaration of definite policy on the
Part of the administration would very
much simplify the situation, and as a
matter of good faith ought not TO be
antagOniZeG by the advocates of the
treaty's ratification.
In view of the proposition of the Cal
l1ornia legislature TO instruct Mr..
White and his colleague. Mr.. Perkins,
how TO vote upon the policy of eXpan-
SION and upon the pending peace
treaty" the remarks of Mr.. White were
regarded with much interest.
air. White took as texts for his re-
marks certain paragraphs from SUI
preme court decisions. 4 sentence from
MIR. McKinley's Atlanta speech and q
paragraph from the report Of Admiral
Dewey to the navy department, saying
that the Fiiipinos were as we'll quail
fed for seif-government as the Cubans.
Il care not" aid Mrs. White,
whether the people in the Philippines
are fitted for seif-gOvernment or not. 1t
Is certain that if they are not they
ought not TO be brought into alliance
with us. They repudiate attempt
to bring them into our system, and [
say that they should be allowed to gov
ern themselves. IF we say that the Fill
ipinos are not fitted for self-govern-
ment, pray let US ask now by what
process Of reasoning we can take them
into our own governmental SYSTEM"
ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY.
III " mt tCClcI GU that no GOIEtlu-
sion. was possible except that it was
the intention Of this government and
the officers in power to annex the Phil
ippine islands. If it was not true. he
inquired, why would not the supporters
Of the peace treaty-consent to the adop-
ton Of such a resolution as that offered
by Mr.. HOar, declaring there was no
intention on the part Of this govern
menJ TO hold the islands in perpetuity.
Mr. White then rnfAvT.ad - -ha wood
dents statement that the attitude of
the United States towards h Philip
pines was TO be one ''of benevolent as
similation."
Mr.. Chandler u. H, interrupting
Mr.. White, said: The other day when
this benevolent assimilation bugbear
was raised before The senate, [ took oc-
casion to look UP the definition given
by Me. Webster Of Assimilation If
the senator viii permit me it mean a
resemblance, a likeness, but not neces-
sarily amalgamatiOn or absorption
After indicating just what the def
milton is Mr.. Chandler said: 1T is not
a fair argument to say that the word
"a absorption or to assume that
the president used it in that sense"
Does the senator speak for the pres
ident with authority" inquired Mr..
White. Does he know what the presi-
dent when he spoke?"
Undoubtedly" replied Mr.. Chandler,
blandly. The president thinks as I do,
if he is a wise man. and think he is.
The president thinks We ought to bring
these people into reasonable likeness
to US, but not necessarily to incorporate
them, and 1 hope the senator Will not
Kay too much stress upon the express
sion. benevolent assimilation"
If the senator can assure US" re-
piled Mr. White, that he speaks with
authority as TO the ~utterances of the
president. 1 may not have q high re-
gard for the definition, but I might
have more respect for the policy in
.olved."
quite naturally said Mr.. Chandler.
Il am not and could not be responsible !
for the presidents definition Of his
words. The word assimilation does
mean destruction or swallowing up.
but it does mean likeness, identity.
1T would certainly take a long time"
.retorted Mr. White, f~acetiously. to
bring a Mohammedan from MfndanaO
70 assume d likeness to the senator from
New Hampshire"
Mr.. White continued, and said he was
opposed to the entire policy Of expan-
sion, and that his objections to it were
basic. He maintained tha<<f this cOun-
Try had the slightest regard for its DO
u LUZ bELO4 Z l4E OAA / 1 WAS que con- 3
gTeSs TO declare definitely its position
IpOn the subject before proceeding
Further along, Mr.. White referred to
he necessity, under the proposed policy
IF expansion. Of a large standing army.
demanded - know what benefit
vas to be derived by this country from
such an institution. What is the limit
# the eXpanStOniSt, he inquired. We
ire already told. he continued. that the
,xpansionists desire TO participate in
he partition Of China when that shall
,oIne, n the indications were that
his country was tN go on and acquire
till other territory, which, in the ma
ure Of things, would have to be de-
ended.
a LIVELY EXCHANGE.
At this point a coIloquy occurred. ]
which was participated in by Mr.. Ma
of Illinois, Mr.. Teller Of Colorado
nd Mr.. White.
Mr.. Mason inquired if territory whose
.habit%nts had to be forced into sub
mission did not always require an i'm
aenSe force to keep the people in sub
ection. Mr.. White did not desire evil
emily to commit himself to Mr.. Ma
on's position. but Ar. Teller rose and
ointed oUt that the people of New
Iexico, Arizona. and California had
cen forced at h point of guns into y
ubmission and that their consent pri- {
lariIy had rot been secured. !
YES" replied Mr.. Mason, but that Z
ountry was acquired by treaty" f
at is by treaty that we propose to G
cquire the Philippines retorted Mr.. /
'eller. q
Mr.. Mason-By q treaty with a people
no have no more right to cede the ter :
tory thar the devil had to offer to the
aviOr all the land in sight of the +
fountain height. He did not possess r
ven a tax title to it. +