The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-28
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Berry Denounces the Treaty as a Spec
lati SnI

Berry Denounces the Treaty as a Specu-
lative Scheme.
Washington, Jan. 27.-The senate con-
tinued the consideration of the peace
treaty in executive session to-day, the
doors being closed for almost three
hours Senator Frye, member of the
Paris peace commission, held the at
tention of the senate during the greater
part of this time. Constructively, he
occupied the floor during the entire ses-
sion, but he was frequently interrupted
by other senators. Most of these in
terruptions came in the way of ques-
tons, but some of them took the form
of speeches. This was notably the case
with Senator Berry's Interruptions. He
spoke for some time, and in doing 50
denounced the treaty in severe terms.
Senators Mason and Caffery asked
many questions.
Senator Frye was asked if the presi-
dent had not originally instructed the
commission only to insist upon secur-
ing coaling station in the Philippine
group. To this Mr.. Frye replied that
he did not feel at liberty to give his in
depreciation of the presidents instruc-
tons, but it was not necessary that he
should do so, as the president, he said,
had determined to comply, partially at
least, with the senate's request for the
documents on file bearing on the nego
tiation of the treaty. and Mr.. Frye said
he felt justified in assuring the senate
that the papers would be received not
later than Monday
MI. Frye was asked why the Philip
pine islands were not placed in the
same class as Cuba and replied that
the difference was made because in the
| case of Cuba the commission was acting
under instructions from congress. He
| was reminded that the Filipinos pro-
fessed to be fighting for freedom, just
| as the Cubans were, and that they
We're still contending for their own in
| dependence.
One senator reminded him of the rep
reservations Of Aguinaldos American
agent, Agoncillo. and asked him if he
meant to force the Philippine people
| to actual hostilities, to which Mr.. Frye
retorted that it was the opposition
| which was forcing a continuance of the
| state of war and which would be re-
| sponsible for hostilities if they should
occur. AS for himself however, he did
| not know the Filipinos in the transact
| ton. The treaty should have been rati-
fled 10 days ago, and if it had been all
| danger of war with the people of the
Philippine islands would have been
| averted.
| Senator Mason put the question
| whether the commissioners did not
know when they made the treaty and
| whether he did not know now that the
| natives of those islands We're then, as
now demanding their independence In
| response, Mr.. Frye repeated that the
commission had dealt with Spain, re-
garding the Flipinos as subjects of that
| country. Spain had lost by conflict of
war, and hence the United States had a
perfect right, according to the law of
nations, to acquire any part of her pos
| sessions or people in adjusting the bal
| ances after the war was over.
Senator Berry, in his speech, declared
that the acquisition of the islands was
| merely a speculative scheme, contain
| ing more of the element of land-grab-
bling than Of patriotism or philanthropy.